The vaka canoes and crew members participating in the Mua Voyage are tonight on their way to the World Park Congress in Sydney, Australia.
The Marumaru Atua of Cook Islands, the Uto ni Yalo of Fiji, and the Gaualofa of Samoa, which also has crew from Tonga left Suva today.
One of the oldest crewmembers on the Uto Ni Yalo, Mausio Mafai says this will be an exciting journey.
“For our people here in Fiji and the Pacific, at the World Park Congress, we will be your voice and we ask you once again to please keep us in your prayers, that whatever message we give to the leaders that is the message for the Pacific and its people.”
Mafai has been with the vaka canoe since 2011 and is one of 52 crew members who will be attending the IUCN organised congress.
The three canoes will sail to Vanuatu and then on to Australia, where they will join up with the Hainui of New Zealand.
The four canoes will then sail together into Sydney Harbour – a high-profile and visible way to grab the world’s attention and convey the critical message on oceans and climate change.
