Va’a folau Paikea before sailing from Samoa back to Cook Is.
Three voyagers of Aiga Folau o Samoa were at the Va’a folau Paikea’s sailing this morning in Rarotonga, to commemorate 200 years of Christianity in the Cook Islands.
The Cook Islands has been abuzz this past few months with Christianity ‘s arrival celebrations.
The SVS Aiga Folau o Samoa crew, included Aiga Folau o Samoa ‘s President, Susuga Memea Lyvia Black, Gaualofa Skipper, Karl Steffany, and Senior crew, Lilimailagi Maoaluma Onesemo. All three had recently sailed the Rarotonga return of the Vaa folau “TSY Paikea”, which took seventeen days of sailing with two brief stop overs at Suwarrow Island and Aitutaki Islands.
The SVS crew were supporting the Cook Islands ‘ Te Puna Marama Voyaging Foundation in their community commitment for the 200 year celebration of Christianity in the Cook Islands.
The Aiga Folau trio will return next week from their Cook Islands’ commitment.
Says President of Samoa Voyaging Society, Memea Lyvia Black,
“SVS Aiga Folau o Samoa is pleased to part take in this very important celebration of Christianity in the Cook Islands. Aiga Folau o Samoa is happy to be able to be on hand to support our Te Puna Marama Voyaging Aiga for this auspicious event, in Polynesia ‘s modern history. “
“We must always remember, Christianity has been in Cook Islands for 200 years, in Samoa since 1830, and voyaging has been our ancestors ‘ bloodlines for four thousand years.” , coaxed one esteemed voyager.
“Voyaging ought to be as important as our culture, – le tatou “aganuu”, and language, le tatou “gagana”, and identity, le tatou “faasinomaga” !! , says Memea.