What does Faafaite i te ao Maohi mean?
“Faafaite” is the name of our va’a (vaka) and the meaning is reconciliation. In naming our va’a and association we felt that it was important not to give it the name of an ancient va’a or clan. We wanted and want Faafaite the va’a to belong to all the islands and the people of French Polynesia. “Faafaite i te Ao Maohi” is the reconciliation with the Maohi world; Maohi being the term used for indigenous people. It is important for us to reconciliate ourselves with our spiritual and ancestral values. Our culture and cultural values are slowly dying but by living and adhering to those very values we strive to retain our heritage and live in harmony with our environment and our Ocean.
What is a Maohi?
Maohi is the term used to describe the indigenous inhabitants of French Polynesia. While the term Tahitian is often used, it is a misnomer as Tahiti and her islands (i.e., French Polynesia) are made up of five archipelagos (these are: The Society Islands (including Tahiti), The Marquesas, The Tuamotus, The Austral Islands, and the Gambier Islands). Strictly speaking, a Tahitian would hail from the island of Tahiti.
What are the languages spoken on Faafaite?
French and Tahitian. While all of the administrative details are handled in French, most of the cultural aspects are handled in Tahitian. While there is a tendency to fall back on French, most of the crew also speak Tahitian (and/or other Polynesian dialects) and a few also speak English.
Va’a, wa’a, vaka, waka?
All Polynesian words for canoe (Tahitian, Hawaiian, Marquesan, Maori). One example of the common linguistic heritage which links the islands of the Polynesian triangle.
What are some of the other non-profit organizations which make up l’Association Faafaite i te Ao Maohi?
Te Ao e Reva, Moruroa e Tatou, Te Hivarereata, Rohutu Noanoa, Tuihana, CIEL, Haururu, Tamarii Fanatea, Jeunesse Maroto, Haapape a Ara, Mata ara te haa fenua no Hapaianoo, Foster house Uru ai a Tama, Samuel Raapoto Protestant High school, St Joseph Catholic High school.
How is Faafaite i te Ao Maohi run/managed?
Faafaite has an elected board of trustees comprised of 14 members. Half the board is renewed each year with each trustee serving two year terms. From this board is elected an executive committee which takes care of the day to day running of the association. We’ve also created sub-committees in charge of different aspects of the whole endeavor. These are Environment, Culture, Communications, Canoe Maintenance, Crew Training.
The current board members are :
Claude Rereao CARLSON AMIOT
Johann BOUIT
Yves DOUDOUTE
Moeata GALENON
Eliane GARGANTA
Kavika KNIGHT
Sergio LAI
Vincent MAONO
Eriki MARCHAND
Teva PLICHART
Faatiarau SALMON
Carmélito TAURAA
Matahiarii TUTAVAE
Moana'ura WALKER
The current executive committee :
President : Matahi TUTAVAE
Vice-president : Teva PLICHART
Treasurer : Faatiarau SALMON
Assistant-Treasurer : Sergio LAI
Secretary : Eliane GARGANTA
Assistant-Secretary : Moana’ura Walker
Assessors : Claude Rereao CARLSON AMIOT and Johann BOUIT
How is Faafaite the va’a (canoe) organized?
On board Faafaite the va’a, the crew is composed of a captain, three watch-captains, and twelve crew. The day is divided into three hour watches. Each watch team is composed of a watch-captain and four crew. As such, a team is either on watch, resting, or on call. Cooking duties fall on the team which is on watch at a meal time. Of course, at any given time the watch-captain or captain can summon part of or the whole crew on deck if conditions warrant.
Also keep in mind that for every person navigating on Faafaite, there is an equally important shore crew taking care of all sorts of things from communications, safety, supplies, maintenance, fund raising, recruiting, to that unavoidable aspect of “modern” life, paperwork.
Can I join Faafaite i te Ao Maohi?
The Association is open to all persons interested in our project. Nominal yearly dues are requested of active members. Living in French Polynesia, and preferably Tahiti or Moorea, does make it easier to participate in meetings and activities.
Can I navigate on Faafaite?
Although crews for the upcoming Te Mana o Te Moana voyage are set (training has been on-going for over a year), we are always looking for new sailors. Pre-requisites? Being motivated and having a positive attitude! There will be many more voyages in the years to come and as many of our crew have professional duties (jobs), all are not available at all times. Having a pool of qualified and motivated sailors to draw from is very important.
How do I qualify to navigate on Faafaite?
First by just showing up, so to speak, and giving it a try. If you like your first experiences, you will need to pass a few tests to become a permanent crew member. These include a swimming test and a written test covering basic safety and navigation.
What is the alcohol/drug policy on-board Faafaite?
Alcohol and drugs are strictly forbidden on-board Faafaite.
What is the guitar/ukulele policy on-board Faafaite?
Guitars and ukuleles are strictly encouraged on-board Faafaite.
Punua, Mareva and Tauarii entertaining during the 2010 Tavaru
What is the male/female ratio on-board Faafaite?
We would love to have a 50/50 ratio, however there are simply more male volunteers than female. Although the women on-board are well respected, they receive no special privileges as to crew duties. It’s 100% equal opportunity.
Where is Faafaite moored?
When she’s not out sailing, the va’a is moored on one of the floating docks on the waterfront nearly opposite the main post office in Papeete Harbor, Tahiti.
Got stuff for sale?
Yes. Faafaite T-shirts have been big sellers. We also have a poster celebrating the launching of Faafaite and a Polynesian lunar calendar.
Can Faafaite be chartered?
Yes. As a means of fund raising for the Association, charters are possible. However, as this is not the primary purpose of Faafaite, availability is limited.
My question is not answered here, what can I do?
Send us an e-mail (use the contact form on this website) and we’ll do our best to respond to your question.
Y a-t-il des informations en Français ?
Oui ! Il ya le site web de Faafaite i te ao Maohi : www.faafaite.pf, il y a un blog : www.faafaite.com, il y a FaceBook : www.facebook.com/faafaite, et grâce a un partenariat avec le CRDP (Centre de Recherche et de Documentation Pédagogiques de la Polynésie française) il y a le site : www.crdp.pf/faafaite. Voir les liens ci-dessous.
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