A 15-member crew aboard the traditional Fijian double-hulled canoe Uto Ni Yalo has departed Fiji on the Wansolwara Voyage, bound for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
The departure ceremony was attended by supporters including the permanent secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Sivendra Michael.
Dr Michael said the journey carried both cultural and environmental significance, describing it as a living statement of Pacific leadership and unity.
“This voyage to Honiara is really important because it carries the spirit of our ancestors and the aspirations of our people today,” he said.
“It is more than just a passage, it’s a statement to the world that the Pacific leads with vision, courage, and hope.
“We heard that the Cook Islands, New Caledonia, Tonga and Samoa are part of this journey today (and this is) an opportunity for us to reflect on how thousands of years ago our ancestors had set their sails only to be guided by the stars, the winds and their wisdom.
“And they were not just navigating the ocean, but they were building bridges between islands and forging the unity that we share today across the Blue Pacific.”
He said the Pacific must remain central in global climate action, stressing the ocean’s role as a carbon sink and calling for renewed commitment to protection, regional solidarity and indigenous guardianship.
“As Mama Uto departs our shores today with the crew, it carries with it the prayers of our people, the solidarity of our leaders, and the determination of a region that refuses to be passive in the face of climate change and ocean degradation.”
The voyage will culminate in Honiara where leaders will discuss pressing issues including climate change, ocean conservation and geopolitical tensions.
Dr Michael also recalled witnessing the voyagers’ late-night arrival at last year’s Forum, describing it as a grounding moment that reflected the resilience of the crew as they navigated delays and strong winds.
Archbishop of the Anglican Diocese of Polynesia, Reverend Sione Uluilakepa blessed the canoe and the journey ahead.