After months of careful restoration and maintenance on dry dock during cyclone season, Vaka Marumaru Atua has returned to the water in preparation for its voyage to Hawaii for the 2024 Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture in Honolulu from June 6 to 16.

The vaka transportation from land to sea by Cook Islands General Transport (CIGT) highlighted the enormous operation involved in lifting the 13-tonne vessel by crane and skillfully moving it onto a trailer and back to its place on the water.

Captain Deon Wong said the vaka was moved to Avatiu Harbour and later moved to Avarua Harbour.

The Rarotonga – Hawaii – Rarotonga voyage will be led by traditional navigator Peia Patai from Te Puna Marama Voyaging Foundation serving as captain.

If the weather is favourable, Marumaru Atua is scheduled to depart Rarotonga for Tahiti on April 22.

Mindful that the Cook Islands is still in the tropical cyclone season, depending on the weather patterns there is a possibility that the vaka may depart before the proposed date.

The vaka is scheduled to depart Tahiti for Hawaii around May 6 to 8 with the possibility of leaving earlier or later pending on the weather, aiming to arrive in Honolulu by June 5.

Vaka Marumaru Atua will have a crew of 16 onboard, including nine youth from the Pa Enua who have all completed Te Puna Marama Voyaging Foundation Teretereanga Vaka programme.