Samoa ready to welcome navigators

Polynesian navigators that settled in the islands of Hawai’i hundreds of years ago “are coming back to honour the people of Samoa,” which some believe is their land of origin, reports Talamua Online.

Lead by master traditional navigator, Captain and Environmentalist Nainoa Thompson, Malama Honua World Wide Voyage of the Polynesian Navigators on their traditional canoes Hokule’a and Hiki’analia are scheduled to arrive in Apia harbour on August 29.

They will be welcomed with a traditional ava ceremony.

“The welcoming ceremony will include a flotilla of local sail boats from the Apia Yacht Club, outrigger canoes and Samoa’s Va’atele Gaualofa to accompany the Hokule’a into port under the guidance of Samoa Port Authority’s tugs and skiffs,” says Leilua Ame Sene of the Samoa Voyaging Society.

“Hokule’a will be berthed at the new black sand beach in front of Aggie Grey’s for a thanksgiving with leaders of the government, diplomatic corps, communities, organisations and the people in general of Samoa.

The Ministry of Education Sports and Culture in partnership with Samoa Voyaging Society have selected college cultural groups, with the support of Church youth groups from different denominations, to entertain on the morning of the canoes’ arrival.

The groups will dress the entire beach and lagoon with scented flowers and leis.

Samoa Tourism Authority’s chief executive officer, Papalii Matatamalii Sonya Hunter has provided the facilities of the tourism village and a group of entertainers along with the presence of the Miss Samoa 2014.

The event will be filmed by the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture for educational purposes.