Cooks arrive in Traditional Vaka
Jul 25, 2008, 16:07

Close to 100 people greeted the arrival of the Cook Islands vaka ‘Te au o tonga’ (Thursday night Fiji time) at the Marine and wildlife wharf in Pagopago, Amerika Samoa last night.

The ‘Te au o tonga’ set sail from Rarotonga seven days ago and was delayed to arrive at the opening of the 10th Festival of Pacific due to bad weather at sea.

According to the vaka captain Garth Henderson, the crew had to focus hard on not smashing the vaka into the wharf when they arrived due to rough seas in Pago’s harbour.

“We had some bad weather out there and we sometimes had to have all hands on deck fighting 24 hours out there”, Henderson said. He added that it is only the start of bigger and better things in terms of traditional voyaging for the Cook Islands and that in order to sustain such traditions there needed to be some adventure added to it.

“We got a lot of support from the people back home and they were able to track us on a website all the way. People want adventure and want to have a slice of the action that is what is relevant to us”, Henderson added.

In welcoming the voyagers the Governor of Amerika Samoa Togiola Tulafono said that the Rarotontgans were heavenly navigators. “We give God the glory for bringing you here safely.

“Welcome to Amerika Samoa it is our pleasure to welcome you to the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts and we thank God that you arrived safely after battling rough seas and high winds”.

Governor Tulafono added that this type of voyaging was important because it was a means of connecting people in the past.

The Cook Islands delegation, clad in traditional outfits chanted and danced as the vaka berthed at the wharf with the Department of Public Safety Police sirens going off in the background.

The ‘Te au o tonga’ was the only vaka to voyage to the festival.


-End-
No:1196