The voyagers were welcomed on the dock in Kaunakaki in traditional Hawaiian style. Later that evening there was a more formal ceremony with the sharing of traditional ceremonial greetings, gifts, kava and much much aloha. Then there was a splendid feast. These voyagers are celebrated people and are treated like honored family wherever they go, and for good reason. I have to say though, they must have to go to a lot of ceremonies... which is on the one hand cool, because it is such an awesome and important voyage and way to celebrate Polynesian culture, on the other hand, however, so much formality seems like it must get a bit exhausting.... That in combination with their tight, tight travel schedule set by somebody else, makes me glad of the democratic decisions and lack of authority figures aboard good old Libertatia. I don't say that to detract from the value and wonderful qualities of the Pacific Voyagers project, merely to put it is perspective. It was inspiring to see such a focused voyaging project (somewhat in contrast with our own) but ultimately their project and that of the Libertatia (at least as it stands currently) seem to be two different cans of fish, which is, I think, OK.
Apologies for these are not the greatest pictures, but I think they get the impression across. Also if you want to see some better pictures of the Vaka do check out the pacific voyagers web site!
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