The Uto Ni Yalo set sail from Suva this evening, heading for Honiara with a multinational crew bound for the Pacific Islands Leaders Forum. The voyage carries messages of solidarity with the ocean and a call for greater care of the natural world, alongside advocacy work planned for the forum.
The Suva-to-Honiara leg is expected to take about five days, weather permitting. Leading the voyage are Sail Master Angelo Smith and celestial navigator Kaiafa Ledua, guiding a seasoned team that includes five women.
This mission continues the Uto Ni Yalo’s long-standing role in fostering regional unity and celebrating Pacific seafaring heritage. In recent years, the voyage has featured women in leadership roles, highlighting the crew’s diverse talents and deep connection to the traditions of navigation across the Pacific. Sailors like Iva Vunikura, who joined the crew 12 years ago, have logged tens of thousands of nautical miles, including substantial journeys from Fiji to Mexico, and she has spoken about the challenges and perseverance that define these crossings.
As the Pacific Islands Leaders Forum approaches, the trip underscores a broader push for environmental stewardship and ocean guardianship, themes that have repeatedly accompanied Uto Ni Yalo crossings. Past collaborations with local NGOs and conservation groups have complemented the crew’s outreach, reinforcing messages about resilience, unity, and responsible stewardship of marine resources.
The voyage is a hopeful reminder of regional solidarity, weaving together traditional knowledge and contemporary advocacy as Pacific nations gather to chart a sustainable course for the ocean and its communities. It offers a positive signal of continued cooperation and leadership from Pacific sailors as they engage with regional leaders on critical environmental and developmental issues.
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