After a week at sea, the 16-member crew of the ‘Uto ni Yalo’ made landfall in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, on Sunday, coinciding with the start of the Pacific Islands Leaders Forum Meeting on Monday. The ‘Uto ni Yalo’ serves as a symbol of regional unity, celebrating its rich maritime culture and traditional navigation skills.
Notably, the journey featured a woman as the sail master, a role typically held by experienced male sailors. Iva Vunikura, who has been with the ‘Uto ni Yalo’ for 12 years, has an impressive sailing record, having covered over 80,000 nautical miles, including voyages from Fiji to Mexico.
Vunikura has also extensively explored the region. Reflecting on their challenging journey, she stated, “It was tough because we were coming into the wind, but we didn’t give up, which is why we are here today.” Hailing from Vione, Gau, she was one of three women aboard the vessel and expresses a deep commitment to her craft while drawing inspiration from the vastness of the Pacific Ocean.