Vutala Na Ua 2010
print this page

Wednesday, March 24, 2010


The maiden International Voyage of the Fiji Islands Voyaging Society flagship, Uto Ni Yalo has been aptly named “VUTALA NA UA” meaning Breaking Waves.

Eighteen crew members set sail this Friday on a 12 week voyage to visit four Pacific Island neighbours beginning with a 1200 mile journey to New Zealand.

Similar canoes from New Zealand, the Cook Islands and Samoa are already in Auckland and the Uto ni Yalo will join them in sailing to French Polynesia, the Cook Islands and finally Samoa before returning to Fiji in early June.

One of the aims of the voyage is to re-establish our cultural links with these neighbours through traditional voyaging .

This voyage will be a true Ocean baptism for the crew of the Uto ni Yalo who have been preparing for the voyage for over four months having sailed the Vaka nearly 1000 miles within Fiji waters.

Vutala Na Ua is also the title of our ‘Bole’ (as opposed to Cibi) created by crewmember and cultural icon, Manoa Rasigatale. The Bole is performed as a challenge to the crew to declare their readiness for the tests that lie ahead.

The Uto ni Yalo will journey as the flagship for Fiji's rich ocean heritage and the crew members will become champions of marine conservation advocacy through close association with organisations such at the WWF.

As the crew rediscover traditional sailing and navigational knowledge, skills and customs, they will set the platform for future generations and help to revive a very important part of our history that is in danger of being lost forever.

All media questions should be sent to nathan@razor.com.fj or petersipeli@gmail.com