What is "poedua"

Poedua (circa 1758 – ?) was a Raiatea princess, daughter of Orea (Orio), King of Ulietea. She was taken hostage together with father, brother, and husband during the third voyage of James Cook in exchange of two sailors that deserted onto the island. The hostages were enticed on board the HMS Discovery, imprisoned until Orea secured the return of the deserters.

For many contemporaries John Weber's portrait of Poedua epitomized the sensual image of the South Sea maiden.