Pacific Voyaging Network: Vaka Of Hope

Vaka Of Hope

“Move your paddle silently through the water”

Pacific Voyaging Network

• A pan Pacific network of voyaging societies, involving Pacific peoples from Aotearoa (New Zealand), Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hawaii, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu and Samoa, have mounted a joint effort to preserve and develop traditions of ocean voyaging.

• The Pacific Voyager’s Network is supported by Okeanos, a German-based philanthropic organisation formed with the objective of protecting the ocean environment and marine life.

• The aim of the Pacific Voyager’s Network is to develop the awareness and preservation of the ocean environment and marine life by recapturing the Pacific traditions of ocean voyaging between island nations.
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Vaka

• In 2009 seven ocean-going double-hulled canoes (vaka) were built with the support of Okeanos in Auckland at Salthouse Boatbuilders. The newly-designed sailing canoe (vaka moana [Pacific]/waka hourua [Maori]) are based on a traditional central Pacific design. In 2010 four of these vaka were seen on the Waitemata taking part in Te Kumete O Te Moana Nui (The Bowl of Pacific) Regatta before leaving for French Polynesia, the Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga and Fiji.

• The vaka successfully blend modern boatbuilding technologies with traditional Pacific craftsmanship.

• Each hull is constructed of e-glass and foam using advanced infusion processes. In contrast, tradition remains clearly visible with each hull lashed together using wooden beams and rope lashings. And the vaka are adorned with traditional carvings, colourings and insignia of each nation.

• They utilise a combination of traditional flax sails and modern sails including gennakers.

• The vaka fleet will be entirely eco-friendly being propelled only by the wind and the sun. They combine elements of the past and the future and are a metaphor for solutions to the planet’s energy and climate change issues. They are a visualisation for saving the ocean. This eco-friendly method of travelling includes a solar power system for auxiliary propulsion system on all of the vakas. Eight large solar panels power two 10kW electrical motors. These aid harbour entries and also allow the vaka to travel at speeds of 2.5 knots using only solar power.

2011 Pan Pacific Voyage - “Connecting our islands, saving our ocean”

• In April 2011, and with the support of Okeanos, seven vaka will undertake a long and challenging voyage across the Pacific from their home countries to Hawaii via French Polynesia (Tuamotus, Marquesas).

• The arrival in Hawaii will mark the end of the first part of the project to help recapture traditional Pacific voyaging skills and raise awareness of the issues threatening the Pacific Ocean.

• In Hawaii the vaka crews will attend the ‘Kava Bowl Ocean Summit 2011: What Are The Oceans Worth To You? ‘. The Summit will initiate “solution seeking” discussions amongst an international mix of scientists, academics, practitioners, media, political and corporate leaders. The end goal is to form new partnerships and come up with concrete ideas to help mankind move toward sustainable use of marine resources and services.

• The second phase of the journey will start in mid July with aim of informing and educating as many people as possible to make a change, particularly those people who are contributing most to climate change. The vaka will therefore sail to North America via San Francisco and then down the west coast to San Diego.

• The vaka will then return via the Cocos Islands, Galapagos, French Polynesia, Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and ultimately to Honiara, Solomon Islands for the eleventh Pacific Arts Festival in 2012.

• The voyage will be the subject of a documentary film. Dieter Paulmann, founder of Okeanos and the film’s Executive Producer, said:
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“We are embarking on an extraordinary journey that brings together culture and consciousness as never before. For the first time ever, seven Pacific Island crews will sail a fleet of traditional Polynesian voyaging canoes (equipped with solar powered motors) across thousands of miles of open ocean. They’ll map their way in the wake of their ancestors, using the stars, sun, wind, and wildlife as their guides. As we travel along will them, we come to experience first-hand, the power and the plight of our greatest ocean – the Pacific.”

• The film’s Producer, Richard Fletcher of Oceanic Nature Film Productions, said:
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“Far more than an environmental story, this is a human story, told by the people who are contending with the effects of a changing planet in very real ways. As we voyage with them across this vast continent of water, we find they are not only reclaiming their heritage as the finest of sailors, but also the finest of stewards. Drawing on the lessons of their past to propel us all forward, these navigators are charting a bold new course, steering us toward a sustainable future.”

• The film is being directed by Emmy® Award winner Mike Single and is being written by Gianna Savoie. The film is scheduled for theatrical release in 2013.

ENDS

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