These are exciting times for Polynesian voyaging as several va’afolau (traditional sailing vessels) prepare to set sail. Hokule'a and Hikianalia of Hawai’i anticipate departing today from Tutuila to Tonga as they continue with the Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage.

Simultaneously, there are three more va’a preparing to embark on the Mua Voyage. The Marumaru Atua of the Cook Islands, Uto Ni Yalo hailing from Fiji, and the Gaualofa from Samoa will sail from Fiji to Australia in a few days. They will join with voyaging canoes from other Pacific Island countries as part of the ‘Mua: Guided by Nature’ voyage.

The canoes will travel via Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu and the eastern coastline of Australia, joining up with the voyaging canoe from New Zealand before arriving in Sydney. The Mua voyage will convey the Pacific Island’s message to the world about Our People, Our Islands, Our Ocean, Our Future.

On board the Gaualofa will be a daughter of American Samoa, Kim Ali’itasi McGuire.

The Gaualofa, Uto Ni Yalo and Marumaru Atua have been invited to attend the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Parks Conference in Sydney, Australia from November 12- 19, 2014.

The IUCN is meeting to discuss solutions to global challenges impacting the environment. With climate change and the rapid depletion of natural resources, the message of conserving and protecting our environment is at the forefront.

Traditionally, stewardship of the land and sea is an integral part of the Polynesian culture. Today’s voyagers seek to revive and highlight that tradition. Using celestial navigation and a keen understanding of the wind and waves, these canoes will sail thousands of miles to different ports around the world carrying the message of environmental conservation. The voyagers do all this with future generations in mind. They hope to inspire the younger generation to take an interest in protecting the environment as well as the art of Polynesian navigation.

“Being a voyager is a humbling experience,” says Kim. “When I am out at sea on a traditional va’a looking up at the night sky, I feel so small surrounded by the bright stars. Sailing on the va’a connects me to my Samoan ancestry and it motivates me to be a steward of the environment. I am in awe of the beauty of our planet and even though the night sky makes me feel so small, I realize I want to continue being a part of this major movement towards a more sustainable lifestyle.”

This will be Kim’s second journey on the Gaualofa. In 2012, Kim and her sister Salafa'aniusila participated in the Te Mana O Te Moana Voyage with a fleet of six other Polynesian voyaging canoes. Sala joined the Gaualofa crew in January 2012 and sailed from San Diego, California, down the coast of Central America to Tahiti, and on to Samoa for the 50th Anniversary of Independence in June.

When Sala got off Gaualofa in Samoa, younger sibling Kim hopped on and sailed from Samoa to Fiji and Vanuatu, then on to the Solomon Islands for the 11th Festival of the Pacific Arts. Kim ended her first voyage back in Samoa in September 2012. 

Kim and Sala will join childhood friend and fellow Gaualofa crew member Fealofani Bruun, whom they grew up sailing with at the Pago Pago Yacht Club formerly in Utulei.

They are grateful to the Aiga Folau o Samoa (Samoa Voyaging Society) for providing opportunities to young Samoans to learn the art of navigation and deliver the very important message of environmental conservation to people of the World. 

Kim wishes to thank her family and friends for their support as she prepares for the Mua Voyage, with special thanks to her friends from Hokule'a and Hikianalia (Polynesian Voyaging Society).

Kim has agreed to send Samoa News electronic ‘postcards’ as she and the Gaualofa crew make their way to Australia. Their anticipated departure date from Fiji is October 13. 

Safe journeys to all.