The Samoa Voyaging Society welcomed the arrival of the Paikea, a traditional voyaging vessel, va’atele, which journeyed all the way from Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.

"Paikea" departed Rarotonga on 22May, and arrived into Apia port Tuesday night.

The "Paikea" voyaging canoe is in Samoa to support SVS Aiga Folau in delivering the NZ MFAT funded, Manaaki Guardians 2023 campaign in Savai'i.  This is an environmental educational program, led by Conservation International, in a multi-sector partnership with various Ministries.

Skippering the Paikea is one of the Cook Islands' most experienced master navigator, 56 year old Peia Patai with a crew of nine, including Samoa's Skipper for the Gaualofa, Karl Steffany, and a senior voyager, Lilimailagi Maoaluma Onesemo, of Malaemalu, Falealili and Matautu, Apia.

A mixed crew of 10, from the Cook Islands, Samoa and Hawaii has been voyaging at sea for the last seven days, using the ancestral traditional navigation knowledge.

“The reason for our voyage is to help out our family here in Samoa to deliver an educational program which I Think is very important that we start to pass on this knowledge to our people,” said the captain

“This is the second voyage for Paikea. There was a request from the SVS to come and help out with the young kids here and we are very excited to do that.” he said

“It’s a lost talent and we should be proud of our ancestors. What we are trying to do now is revive that knowledge, know that we have it, it is our responsibility and pass it on to our younger generation. We need to know where we come from and how we got here.” 

Captain Peia is happy to share his 31 years of sea voyaging experience with the younger generations in the hopes that this knowledge will never be lost.

The Samoa Voyaging Society, Aiga Folau o Samoa has certainly delivered to Samoa the "Folau ma le Faatuatua" -  "voyage with faith" in welcoming their Aiga Folau from the Cook Islands.

The crew of the Paikea was welcomed with a traditional ava ceremony on Wednesday morning.