"Tavaru" fleet arrives in Raivavae

The "Tavaru" fleet made of four outrigger canoes from Pacific Islands arrived in Raivavae, Austral Islands (South of Tahiti), Wednesday.

The double-hulled canoes "Hine Moana", "Uto Ni Yalo", "Marumaru Atua", and "Te Matau a Maui" arrived together.

They had left Auckland, New Zealand, in mid-April and sailed directly to Raivavae without making a stop in Tahiti.

The 95 crew members from the four outrigger canoes said they had a very warm welcome.

Raivavae inhabitants staged a very special traditional ceremony for the sailors.

Crew members could in fact hear the drums of the celebration 2 kilometers away from Raivavae's coast.

They spent no less than 18 days at sea to go from New Zealand to Raivavae.

The Tahitian traditional outrigger canoe "Faafaite" had left Tahiti April 27 and arrived earlier this week in Raivavae.

The "Faafaite" outrigger canoe and the "Tavaru" fleet are now expected to leave Raivavae Friday afternoon.

They plan to go first to Moorea, Tahiti's sister island. Then, the fleet will go to Tahiti, Raiatea, Leeward Islands and the Cook Islands.

When arrived in the Cook Islands, each outrigger canoe will then return to its home port.

The great voyage between Tahiti and Hawaii will only take place next year.

ATP