After a week at sea, the 16-member crew of the ‘Uto ni Yalo’ arrived in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, on Sunday, just in time for the Pacific Islands Leaders Forum Meeting that starts on Monday. The ‘Uto ni Yalo’ serves as a symbol of regional unity, highlighting a deep connection to the ocean and traditional navigation skills.
A noteworthy aspect of this journey was the appointment of a woman as the sail master, a position typically held by men. Iva Vunikura, who has been with the ‘Uto ni Yalo’ for 12 years, described her longest journey, which spanned over 80,000 nautical miles from Fiji to Mexico. She has also navigated extensively throughout the region.
Reflecting on the voyage, Vunikura shared, “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 on the crew and is passionate about her work, finding peace in the vastness of the Pacific Ocean.