USING ancient Micronesian wayfinding techniques passed down through generations, the Alingano Maisu, a traditional double-hulled voyaging canoe from Palau, arrived in Taiwan on May 8, 2025. Its landfall on Lanyu (Orchid Island) marked a historic moment in Pacific history — reconnecting the cultures of Micronesia and Austronesia and honoring the ancestral sea routes that once linked them.
During their time in Taiwan, the crew was received with extraordinary hospitality and deep cultural reverence. In Lanyu, the Hongtou and Yayou Tribes welcomed them with a ceremonial paddle relay, followed by a heartfelt performance from the students of Yayou Elementary School. Upon arrival in Taitung, the canoe was greeted by hundreds of community members and tribal leaders who lined the shore to witness the historic event.
In the days that followed, the Maisu crew engaged in meaningful cultural exchanges across Taiwan’s east coast. They learned traditional fishing and hunting practices from the Amis Tribe, shared in millet wine brewing with the Doulan community, and toured the sacred educational valley with the Kavulungan Tribe. The crew also exchanged stories with elders in Jinlun and Jianhe Villages, spent time with Sakinu and the students of the Hunter School, visited the Chang Gwan Tribe, and explored the National Museum of Prehistory.
Each of these encounters served as a powerful reminder of the Pacific’s shared ancestry and enduring cultural bonds. Spanning over 1,600 nautical miles, the voyage of the Alingano Maisu is more than a feat of navigation — it is a living testament to Pacific unity, Indigenous resilience, and the strength of tradition. As the canoe now prepares for her return journey to Palau, she carries with her not just a crew, but the spirit of a people and a legacy that continues to sail forward.
For the Marianas it’s a cultural reconnection.
Two of the canoe’s crew members hail from Saipan, representing the heart of the CNMI’s maritime revival:
• Andrea Carr
As program coordinator at 500 Sails, Andrea is a champion of maritime careers in the Marianas. She leads efforts to help CNMI residents gain their Merchant Mariner Credentials and reestablish a pathway to ocean-based livelihoods. Her role in this voyage reflects a deep commitment to bridging traditional knowledge with modern opportunity.
“I would absolutely love to see more women in traditional sailing, and I try to encourage as many as I can,” said Andrea Carr.
• Edson Limes
Raised on Saipan with the sea as his classroom, Edson carries the teachings of local fishermen and navigators. In 2023, he voyaged with Captain Sesario Sewralur from Saipan to Palau — and now, aboard the Maisu, continues that legacy across the Pacific. Edison has a deep love for the ocean.
When asked about the best part of this journey, Edson said, “It’s when we became one family. We all came from different backgrounds, but out there on the ocean, we became one. For this voyage to work, we had to become a family.”
Voyage led by legendary navigator
The voyage was captained by Grand Master Navigator Sesario Sewralur, son of Mau Piailug, the navigator whose teachings helped reignite the Hawaiian voyaging tradition in the 1970s. Sesario continues that legacy today, training youth and leading international expeditions that bridge Indigenous knowledge and regional diplomacy.
Cross-cultural collaboration
Taiwanese filmmaker Chang Yeh Hsia Man, chairman of the Taitung Traditional Seafaring Society, co-coordinated the voyage home with the Hongtou and Yayou Tribes, the Taitung County Government, and voyaging societies across the Pacific.
“Through this shared experience at sea, we aim to deepen our bonds, honor our heritage, and revive the ancient seafaring knowledge, skills, and spirit that unite all oceanic peoples,” said Chang.
Why this matters for the Marianas
It places Marianas voyaging voices on the global stage, it highlights career pathways like the MMC for CNMI residents, it supports cultural restoration initiatives like 500 Sails and it inspires youth to embrace resilience, identity, and purpose.
500 Sails Program Coordinator Andrea Carr at a Taiwanese port.
Kai Yu Taitung Government photos
Members of the Alingano Maisu applaud during a welcoming ceremony.
The Alingano Maisu is greeted by members of the Hongtou and Yayou tribes with a ceremonial paddle relay in Lanyu, Taiwan.
