Onboard the MV Caroline Voyager, the canoes will be dropped off on Lamotrek atoll where both canoes will set sail for a voyage covering over one thousand miles and include a stop on Guam and eventually back to Yap.
This undertaking will be historical for various reasons. Voyages by traditional navigation means between Lamotrek and Guam ceased over a century ago.
But its neighbor island of Satawal continues voyaging the “mathawal wol” sea lane up to today.
There is also no recorded documents of such traditional voyaging from Guam to Yap.
The voyage will be under the command of “Weriyeng” navigator Ali Haleyalur from Lamotrek.
Ali will be sailing the over 30-year-old Hokulea canoe originally carved and owned by renowned master navigator “Mau” Pialug.
Chief and master canoe builder Bruno Tharngan will sail the Mataumaram.
Both canoes are expected to depart Lamotrek for Guam soon after they are dropped off.
The plan is to coincide the canoe’s arrival on Guam during a festival for the Yapese community living in the
American territory.
