The Marquesas Islands, Les îles Marquises, Te Fenua ‘Enata, Te Henua ‘Enana – Adventures on and off the Aranui 3, July 2011

Kaoha nui!

This year has been very adventurous for Nāwa‘a and me – we’ve been privileged to spend most of 2011 in the South Pacific, especially on the Tuamotu Atolls of Rangiroa (Tiputa) and Fakarava (Rotoava), Tahiti and Moorea, as well as many of the Marquesas Islands. 

Nāwa‘a and me on Ua Pou, Marquesas (Photo by Father Moki Hino)

And no, that is NOT our yacht behind us!  We took a different type of voyage this trip (at least for us!).  I was asked by the “Aranui 3” (386-foot freighter/cruise liner) to give a series of lectures regarding the Marquesas. So, for two weeks, Nāwa‘a and I cruised from Pape’ete, Tahiti, to Fakarava, and then throughout the Marquesas archipelago.  What an incredible journey it was!

Aranui 3

My three lectures were presented in both English and French.  Nāwa‘a most graciously interpreted the first lecture for me – he is a walking encyclopedia and I am very fortunate to have had him accompany me for this journey.  His wise guidance, friendship, encouragement and support, as well as his incredibly helpful French, is awesome!  I cannot thank him enough...

Randy Nāwa‘a Wichman

My lectures were:

Early Ethnology of the Marquesas

Archaeology of the Marquesas

Material Culture of the Marquesas

Also, I cannot thank the Aranui crewmembers enough for their endless professionalism, warmth, and friendliness.  They are all brilliant Pacific jewels, and the Aranui is fortunate to have them as part of their family (as well as their passengers!).

The Aranui is a great way to visit the Marquesas Islands, and I highly recommend this adventurous cruise! The unique freighter/cruiser is very, very comfortable and clean, heaps of fun on-going activities, superb food, and many memorable adventures! Not your typical posh cruise liner - more for the adventurous types...  I hope to lecture onboard the Aranui again next year [**UPDATE: I'm confirmed for 2014, Aug 30-Sept 12, Voyage 12] – you should join me too!!! Please feel free to contact me if you would like more information. Also, check out the cool Aranui website (www.aranui.com) to learn much more.

http://www.aranui.com

I would love to write a bit about each of these unique Marquesan islands - but that will have to wait for another post in the future.  The following slide shows are a small sampling of more than 1,000 photos we shot during this adventure. 

Life on and off board the Aranui 3

Nuku Hiva

Omoa, Fatu Hiva

Fatu Hiva

Hiva Oa

Atuona, Hiva Oa

Tahuata

Ua Huka

Please check back soon for more adventure postings as I am seriously behind (we finally have decent Internet!!!).  Nāwa‘a and I have had several other amazing adventures since this Marquesas voyage such as our ancient rock wall restoration project in Nu‘alolo Kai with Nā Pali Coast ‘Ohana, as well as more aerial photos of another preservation project at Hui Mālama o Kāneiolouma in Po‘ipū, both located on our beautiful home island of Kaua‘i, here in Hawai‘i.

Nāwa‘a and I are so very blessed - the greatest gifts from all our adventures are the many new lifetime friends we have created along the way!!

Koutau nui!

Te Mana o Te Moana - Hakipu'u/Kualoa, O'ahu (June 25, 2011), and Hanalei Bay, Kaua‘i (July 3, 6, & 7, 2011)

The seven Polynesian Voyaging Wa'a of Te Mana o Te Moana came to Hakipu'u/Kualoa, O'ahu on June 24 with a public celebration on June 25, 2011, and later sailed to Hanalei Bay, Kaua‘i, arriving July 6.


During the celebration at Hakipu'u, the wa'a navigators, including Nainoa Thompson, invested Pe'ia Patai from the Cook Island waka Marumaru Atua as Master Navigator in a very moving ceremony. 

Te Mana o Te Moana

Hakipu'u/Kualoa, O'ahu

June 25, 2011

After being hosted for nearly a week in Honolulu, the seven canoes sailed to Hanalei Bay, Kaua'i, in preparation for their voyage to California.

Hanalei hosted the canoes for several days. Nawa'a and I were there for the planning, arrival, fun with great friends - both new and old, as well as various functions. We were not at the canoes departure because we had to catch an airplane to Tahiti!

Te Mana o Te Moana

Hanalei Bay, Kaua'i

July 3, 2011

Te Mana o Te Moana

Hanalei Bay, Kaua'i

July 6, 2011

Te Mana o Te Moana

Hanalei Bay, Kaua'i

July 7, 2011

Mālama pono, a hui hou!

 ~ Victoria ❤

Te Mana o Te Moana - Fakarava, Tuamotu May 2011

Te Mana o Te Moana

We were very fortunate to be on the Tuamotu atoll of Fakarava (May 17-23, 2011) when the voyaging canoes of "Te Mana o Te Moana" were first united as a fleet of seven. One canoe, Faafaite, came from Tahiti, another, Marumaru Atua, from the Cook Islands, and gathered here at Fakarava with five more canoes that sailed from New Zealand. The seven canoes with 120 crew members represent 14 Pacific island nations.

From Fakarava the seven wa'a,  waka, va'a, vaka, or Polynesian voyaging canoes, are sailing as a fleet to Hawai‘i via Nuku Hiva, Marquesas, and eventually four canoes will sail to California, Central America, Galapagos, Marquesas, Tahiti and back to New Zealand.

The wa'a are now in Hilo, Hawai'i having safely arrived yesterday, June 16, 2011.

This project is generously funded by Dieter Paulmann, of the "Okeanos - Foundation for the Sea" to bring awareness to the state of the ocean and sea animals. His foundation is filming the voyage and will produce a documentary.

So sorry that I have not posted these photos earlier - many technical and "Internet logistic" problems.... 

Mahalo nui for taking the time to visit our little blog and to understand these incredible voyaging canoes.

We wish the wa'a very safe continuing passages and good winds!

Mālama pono, a hui hou!

 ~ Victoria and Nāwa‘a 

Te Mana o Te Moana 

Seven Polynesian Wa‘a Departure 

From Fakarava to Nuku Hiva, Marquesas

May 21, 2011