hiking in Tahiti

I will be in Tahiti and Moorea for 8 days in total and am looking to take the opportunity to do some day hikes ahead of the Inca Trail a couple weeks later. I've read about some interesting hikes from the various guidebooks and would like to know whether a guide is required or can I just do the hikes solo. If necessary, can anyone provide advice/suggestions on quality operators? I'm looking at doing the Papenoo to Mataiea hike, an ascent up one of their mountains, something on Iti to Te Pari cliffs (is that possible?) and/or Three Coconuts on Moorea. Anyone done these before and can provide some further insight in terms of difficulty, accessibility, etc.,

I'm also going to be there during the Billabong Pro so does anyone know how I can head out to see some of the action (I presume I will need to get access to a boat of some sort as from the island the surfers will just look like ants...)

I have seen young fit men in Alpine hiking boots coming down the mountain in Tahiti. They did not look like they had a guide. On the other hand, I read in the local paper of a German who fell off a cliff and had to be rescued. (very difficult access!) It is obviously wise not to hike alone. Let somebody know where you are going. Safety also depends on the rain when paths can become very slippery.

Ten years ago, two young and fit passengers of the Aranui hiked from one valley of Moorea to the other side after their ship's voyage. On the Marquesas hikes, they had always been the fastest and fittest. They told us later about their Moorea hike that it had been in complete cloud cover, no path was visible and they pulled each other up the mountain on dangling roots. It sounded exactly like the description in Melville's short novel Typee.

I am sorry that I cannot provide first hand information. Enjoy your trip!