The stunning Marae Moana 562 metre long seawall mural project is nearing completion with the grand opening of the art piece scheduled to take place before Constitution Day August 4.

This colourful stretch of mural art funded by Seacology, depicts the cultural heritage and representation of the 15 islands of the nation.

Gonzalo Aldana, the main artist of the project has started on the northern island of Manihiki’s  mural - the second to last island that will feature on the wall.

Last week, Aldana was wonderfully surprised to receive a $400 cash donation by Manihiki MP Akaiti Puna on behalf of the islands pearl farmers including Kora Kora and Temu Okotai.

“Thank you to the community who always bring good vibes and thank you to the Manihiki people, I am deeply grateful,” said Aldana.

Akaiti said she was “honoured” to have the opportunity to thank Aldana and to help him along with the Manihiki section on the sea wall.

Her husband Henry Puna, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat since 2021, is a founding member and key motivator of the Marae Moana (Sacred Ocean) project which legally declared all of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (close to two million square kilometres of water), as a Cook Islands multi-use Marine Park in July, 2017. 

Henry Puna was the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands and the MP for Manihiki when Marae Moana was getting off the ground.

“He (Puna) is also excited this seawall project, it is a great achievement,” said Akaiti.

Temu Okotai said, “this is a contribution by the Manihiki Pearl Farmers, this is a fantastic project and this donation is an appreciation through our member of Parliament to buy him and his workers lunch money, it’s not to pay him.

“And when I drive along here I think what a great project,” said Okotai.

Kora Kora was proud to say Henry Puna was a founding member of Marae Moana. “We see it fitting that he will feature on our Manihiki section, we also want to showcase our island and our pearls.”

Two prominent leaders of the nation feature at the midway mark - the nation’s first Premier Albert Henry and former Prime Minister Sir Tom Davis.

Back in the 60s at a United Nations meeting, Albert Henry helped other small island nations push for the 200nm EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone), and Sir Tom Davis revived traditional voyaging and the reconstruction of the vaka.

The last island to feature on the sea wall will be the Pa Enua of Rakahanga.