During his second visit to Samoa, United States Ambassador Mark Gilbert had a chance to get onboard Samoa’s traditional sailing vessel, Gaualofa, for an hour long sail outside of Apia Harbor on July 8, 2015.
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This year, Embassy Apia granted the Society $26,000 to assist with captain and crew certification, as well as to conduct environmental outreach activities around Samoa.
It is because of Embassy Apia’s support that Samoa now has their first female, internationally certified voyaging captain, Fealofani Bruun.
Gaualofa is part of the Aiga Folau o Samoa (Samoan Voyaging Society), a non-profit organization dedicated to reviving the art of traditional Polynesian voyaging.
The Samoan Voyaging Society has been using Gaualofa as a means to promote environmental conservation and traditional sailing and navigation not only in Samoa but also across the Pacific.
The Ambassador’s presence onboard the vessel showed the U.S.’s support for traditional voyaging, environmental conservation and preservation of Samoa’s culture.
At the end of the Apia Harbor sail, the Gaualofa captain and crew conveyed their heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency and staff for their generous support.
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