The Goal

The Goal: Move your paddle silently through the water

We are a group of Pacific Islanders who have come together from many nations, sailing as one across the Pacific Ocean. We are voyaging to strengthen our ties with the sea, renew our commitment to healthy ecosystems for future generations, and to honour our ancestors who have sailed before us. As we sail our Vaka across the Pacific, we are respectful and gentle, always remembering our voyage motto: “Move your paddle silently through the water.”

The Ocean provides us with the air we breathe, the food we eat, life-sustaining medicines, and nourishment for our souls. Currently, our Ocean is in peril and these essential gifts are quickly disappearing.

Sailing together, we are combining the traditional wisdom of our ancestors with modern scientific knowledge to both broaden our understanding of the Ocean, as well as to share our message of stewardship with the world.

As Polynesians, we cannot separate ourselves from this Ocean.  The salt water that flows through our veins runs deep, connecting us spiritually to the sea.  Its life-force strengthens our bodies and shapes our identities.

The Pacific is our home, our breath, our future.  We can only survive if we come together as cultures, as crew-mates, to preserve the health of our ocean planet – Our Blue Canoe.