Voyagers who are using the wisdom of their ancestors, combined with modern science, on a worldwide journey were welcomed to Samoa in style yesterday morning.
Their arrival might have been a couple of days late because of the bad weather out of American Samoa but it didn't dampen the spirits of dancers and fellow Samoan voyagers who gathered on Beach Road in front of Aggie Grey’s Hotel for the welcome.
Among them was the Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, who greeted the sailors of the Hokule’a and Hikianalia.
He congratulated them for making the trip to Samoa saying yesterday was a special moment because their arrival for everyone on the beach was like welcoming family members.
{googleAds}<script async src="http://www.samoaobserver.ws///pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- ads-articles(24.03.14) -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:inline-block;width:336px;height:280px"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-9419815128221199"
data-ad-slot="2395638412"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>{/googleAds}
The group’s arrival coincides with the S.I.D.S conference.
The voyagers who have sailed here on these two vessels are here to promote a more sustainable future, to help heal the injured ocean, to raise awareness, and to revive the cultural traditions of voyaging.
Captain, Nainoa Thompson, said they were honoured to be given such an awesome welcome by the Samoa Voyaging Society and the people of Samoa.
“We are bound together in so many ways,” he said about the relationship between Samoa and Hawaii. “We are bound by family, by blood and genealogy but what connects us even more is the ocean.”
Mr Thompson said it was unfortunate they could not make it here on Friday but the weather was beyond their control.
Yesterday, spectacular performances from the Palefuiono ole Vaema Tasa Laotele group from Māgiagi and the Apia youth welcomed the group.
The voyagers are in Samoa for four days before setting off again.
<!-- 336x280 (bottom-article) -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:inline-block;width:336px;height:280px"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-2469982834957525"
data-ad-slot="1033882026"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>{/googleAds}