After a seven-day journey, 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 set to begin on Monday. The ‘Uto ni Yalo’ serves as a symbol of regional unity, reflecting a deep connection to the ocean and traditional seafaring practices.
This voyage was notably marked by the presence of a woman serving as the sail master, a position typically held by male experts on board. Iva Vunikura, who has been sailing with the ‘Uto ni Yalo’ for 12 years, shared her experience, highlighting that her longest journey included over 80,000 nautical miles from Fiji to Mexico. She has also extensively sailed throughout the region.
Reflecting on the challenging journey, Vunikura mentioned, “It was tough because we were coming into the wind, but we didn’t give up, which is why we are here today.” The sailor from Vione, Gau, was one of three women on the crew and expressed her dedication to her work, finding peace in the vastness of the Pacific Ocean.