 | Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr (50) is Haunui Kaihautu. Hoturoa is from Tainui and is the son of Wharetoroa and Ngarungatapu Kerr. He is married to Kim and has five children - Namaka, Turanga, Rangiiria, Noenoe and Hinemanu. Hoturoa has been sailing for about 35 years around the Pacific. He paddles waka, sails waka, teaches waka. Life for Hoturoa is one big waka. What do hope to achieve on this journey? I want to show a commitment to the oceans in helping to sustain them and get the message out to the people. I want to gain the knowledge and insight of the science of our ancestors because they knew how to live as part of the environment. Best sailing memory? Being out in the middle of the ocean - somewhere between Rarotonga and Tonga - and talking to crew about my kaitiaki (guardians), which are kliller whales, and having two orca pop up on sides of the waka and swim next to us. Worst sailing memory Trying to fix a GPS while in rough seas and getting the instructions on the phone from someone in San Diego. Plus I knew we did not even need the GPS - we were just doing it to make other people on land happy. Describe yourself in one word? Pacific Who is your greatest influence? Te Atarangi Kaahu If you could be a superhero, who would you be? Maui |
 | Duncan Morrison Duncan Morrison (45) is the Haunui captain. He comes from Ngati Morrison, which combines Scotland/England/Sweden/Czech lineages. Duncan started sailing small yachts at 10 years of age, and eventually ended up sailing professionally on superyachts in the Mediterranean and Caribbean and teaching in NZ over the last decade. Unbeknown to many he also worked as a clown for a year. What do you want to achieve on this voyage? Being part of the voyage is the achievement. To share this voyage with people from across the Pacific, to share our different cultures and languages, the triumphs and challenges, all that sort of stuff; this is really the experience of a lifetime and a great achievement in itself. Many things may come out this, but for me that will unfold as the voyage does. Your best memory sailing? Standing alone on the deck of a small yacht in the middle of the night in the middle of the Pacific, kicking along beautifully in 20 knots of wind. The sea was full of phosphorescence and the sky full of stars. This was my first offshore sail and the charge of the solitude and the wild beauty of it all stunned me. A beautiful moment. Your worst memory sailing? The worst moments have always been dealing with big egos and difficult personalities. The sea can be uncomfortable, but not nearly as uncomfortable as people problems. Describe yourself in one word? Creative Who is your greatest influence? My parents – people of tolerance, compassion and humour amongst many other great qualities. Thanks Mum and Dad. If you could be a superhero, who would it be? Storm from the X-men. She can control the weather. Natural magic, cool ability. |
 | Manihera "Wati" Forbes Manihera “Wati” Forbes (31) is Tainui living in the sunny isles of Nelson. From the age of 5 he has been sailing on monohulls and started sailing on waka hourua when he was 19. What do you want to achieve on this voyage? To successfully complete the voyage from Aotearoa - Hawai'i and improve my navigational techniques. Best memory sailing? Having Jack Thatcher let me captain Te Aurere without him for the first time from Mt Maunganui to Motiti and watching the crew complete their extremely realistic fire drills and man over board drills. They even gave CPR to the life jacket they rescued. We were then graced with the presence of sharks and dolphins, which really gave everyone a buzz. Worst memory sailing? Thinking a crew member had fallen over board in the night when he could not be found. He was later found asleep covered with a sail in the hatch used for ropes. One word to describe yourself? Souljah. Your greatest influence ? Jesus Christ. Favourite comic book hero? Didn't have comic books but loved watching roadrunner! |
 | "Papa" Kohu Asi Boe "Papa" Kohu Asi Boe (55) is Motu from Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. He is married to Hitolo and his children are Asi, Arua, Rakatani. Papa has been sailing around coastal Papua for more than 45 years. He is a keen fisherman and a leader among his people. What do you want to achieve on this voyage? I want to make sure the world does not come into our ocean and drill for oil, kill whales and stop all nuclear testing and waste dumping. Best sailing memory? When I was sailing from Port Moresby to Alotau in the east. I was on a boat and it was a calm sea, the moon was high and there was a nice breeze. All of a sudden I was thinking about things so clearly, and I started singing. Worst sailing memory? We were going from Port Moresby to West Daru, close to Torres Strait, when a cyclone hit Cairns and we almost sunk and also nearly lost some lives overboard. Describe yourself in one word? Aggressive (when it comes to waka safety). Your greatest influence? My father, Asi Boe If you could be a superhero, who would you be? No-one, but my hero is Jesus Christ. |
 | Pat Mohi Pat Mohi (40) is from Te Arawa and is married to Gina and together they have four tamariki: Herora (21), Huriana (17), Mairātea 10, Mutāhikairoa (8). He humbly says he has been sailing for "a little while". What do you want to achieve on this voyage? To see what my ancestors saw, to do what my ancestors did. Best memory sailing? Turning up at Raivaevae - that three-week voyage was the longest that I had been on the water - and I had read about Raivaevae in Sir Peter Buck's books and so I knew this island had a special place in Maori history. Worst memory sailing? The storm we went through on the way to Raivaevae. We were wet for two weeks in the hulls and it was just uncomfortable. One word that describes you? Normal Your greatest influence? My parents Mita and Hukarere Mohi If you could be a super hero, who would you be? Maui |
 | Poihakena Dudley Poihakena Dudley (22) is from Tainui and Ngāti Hine. He lives in Hamilton with parents Jim and Paula and has one brother and three sisters. He has been sailing throughout his teens on waka hourua and paddling waka ama. What do you want to achieve on this voyage? To catch more fish than the Fijians. Best memory sailing? Spotting whales on a return sail from Fiji. Worst memory sailing? Sitting next to a crewmate who was being sick while I was trying to eat my breakfast. One word that describes you? Open-minded Your greatest influence? My whānau, who incidentally threw me a bon voyage party. Thanks for all the support whanau! If you could be a comic hero, who would you be? Thor |
 | Liz Peyroux Elizabeth "Mama Liz" Teremoana Peyroux (62) is the mother of Melita, Julie, Meilani, Ariana and comes from the Cook Islands. Mama Liz has sailed for many years on Aotearoa One and last year sailed throughout Polynesian on Te Matau a Maui. Daring at sea and in the air, Mama Liz has also leapt out of a plane for a solo parachute jump. What do you want to achieve on this voyage? To make those inter-island connections. Best memory sailing? Watching a mother whale playing- with her pepe. Worst memory sailing? Being constantly wet on watch for five days One word to describe yourself? Realistic Your greatest influence? My grandad Favourite comic book hero? Asterix |
 | Brendan Flack Brendan Flack (47) is married to Suzi and they have two daughters, Georgia-Rae (16) and Savannah 13. He is Kai Te Ruahikihiki, Kai Tahu. He describes himself as a keen sailing novice. Among his many hidden talents, Brendan is a closet Salsa dancer. What do you want to achieve on this voyage? A glimpse of the world of our tipuna Your worst memory sailing? At the tiller, on my first night sail, Firth of Thames and doing a 360 degree turn, but really trying not to. Your best memory sailing (please be specific)? NOT doing a 360 degree turn on my second night sail. Describe yourself in one word? Lucky Your greatest influence? Family Your favourite comic book hero? The Lone Ranger |
 | Turanga Kerr Turanga Barclay-Kerr (17) is the son of Hoturoa (Tainui) and Kim (Hawaiian). He is one of five children and brother to Namaka, who is also part of the Haunui crew. Turanga has paddled waka since he could hold a hoe and sailing since he was 8. He says life is always interesting and that’s the way he likes it. What do you want to achieve on this voyage? To start learning how to navigate. What is your best memory sailing? Spending a whole lot of time learning how to tie all my knots and finally being allowed to sail, only to fall asleep for the whole journey – but they still let me on. What is your worst memory sailing? Getting sick in the middle of night when sailing up to Waitangi and having to keep working. One word to describe yourself? Outgoing Your greatest influence? My dad. My family. If you be a super hero, who would you be? Iron Man |
 | Huia Marshall Huia Marshall (29) is from Tainui-Waikato.He is married to Isabel and they hvae a daughter named Lily (8). He has been sailing for five years and last year sailed upon Te Matau a Maui. What would you like to achieve on this voyage? To learn more about celestial navigation. Best sailing memory? Sailing on the west coast of the North Island and seeing a couple of dozen dolphins lit up by phosphorescence. Also, I swam near a kill whale once while I was collecting shellfish. Worst sailing memory? I haven't had one yet worth mentioning. Describe yourself in one word? Relaxed. Who is your greatest influence? Hoturoa. If you could be a super hero, who would that be? Iron Man. |
 | Hana-Lee Kereru-Wainohu Name: Hana-lee Kereru-Wainohu (19) is Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati Tuwharetoa, and Rongomaiwahine. She has sailed upon Aotearoa One, Te Aurere and Te Matau a Maui and joins Haunui, which all adds up to her favourite number four. What do you want to achieve on this voyage? I want to learn as much as I can about my ancestors, sailing, and ocean pollution awareness. I would like to get Yacht Master by the end of the voyage. Your best memory sailing? Watching dolphins jump and swim around the bow of Te Matau A Maui the night we came into Auckland from Fiji. Your worst memory sailing? Fearing that the boom of the mizzen sail on A.T One was going to fall on me when one of the sheet lines came off. Describe yourself in one word? Maori Who is your greatest influence? Who isn’t. If you could be a superhero, who would it be? Not sure, Catlady? |
 | Rereahu Hetet Rereahu Hetet (18) is Tainui, Ngati Maniapoto and Ngai Tahu. She is the daughter of Ngatai Hetet and Joanne Porima. She is keen waka ama paddler and has been brought up around sailing. What do you hope to achieve on this voyage? I want to gain knowledge that will help me in my studies of Maori and Pacific development. I am also looking foward to travelling to places I have never been before. Best sailing memory? The first few times I sailed it was with my close friends and we sailed well because we all knew each other really well, and there was lots of laughter too. Worst sailing memory? Surviving on noodles and rice for five days on the way back from Fiji. Describe yourself in one word? Tidy. Who is your greatest influence? My koro Fred Porima and my uncle Hone Ranga. If you could be a superhero, who would it be? Storm ... or one of the ninja turtles |
 | Gorohu George Diho Gorohu George Diho (54) is Motu from Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. He is married to Seura, and children Valo, Lohia and Diho. Gorohu has been sailing for more than 25 years on Papuan coast, and trained in Fiji in preparation for this journey. What are your goals for this journey? To meet with the people and experience the lifestyle of our ancestors and enjoy my sailing. Best sailing memory? Travelling to Tuvalu on a barge – it was my first time visiting a foreign country. Worst sailing memory? Going from Tuvalu to Cairns during cyclone season, the waves and wind were throwing the boat and crew about. I was almost thrown overboard without a life jacket. One word to describe myself? Spontaneous. Your greatest influence? Seura, my wife. If you could be a super hero, who would you be? My cousin Captain Frank Gorohu. |
 | Vada John Heni Vada John Heni (38) is Motu from Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. He is married to Henao. He has always paddle canoes raced them since he was 17. Recently he gave up racing and went looking for other sports like cricket. Vada plays for United Senior team in Port Moresby. Best memory sailing? We were in fifth place and came back and finished first in canoe racing. As for sailing, we were on Hine Moana in Fiji, coming into Suva and the wind hit the sails really hard and a group of us had to hold on to the hoe to keep our course, meanwhile Papa Kohu caught a big mahimahi. Worst memory sailing? I haven’t got one yet. One word to describe yourself? Joker Your greatest influence? My mum Tuene and my wife Henao. If you could be a super hero, who would you be? I am just me, but my super hero is Jesus Christ. |
 | Arua Charlie Boe Arua Charlie Boe (34) aka Sale Maraga is Motu from Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. He is the son of the late father Maraga Boe and mother Dairi Morea. Aura has been sailing for five years along the coast of Papua. He is also into fishing and diving, and canoe racing. What is your best sailing memory? Seeing dolphins and whales, and schools of tuna on the of ocean side of Papua. What is your worst sailing memory? When there were big waves, and lot of rain while I was paddling the canoe. One word to describe yourself? Cheeky Your greatest influence? My mum Dairi. If you could be a super hero, who would you be? Me, I just want to be normal. |
 | Waka Heke-Sweet Waka Heke-Sweet (16) is from Tainui. He is the youngest member of the Haunui crew and is the son of Isobel Heke and Ted Sweet. He has been paddling waka ama for 10 years and sailing since last year. Earlier this year he sailed from Fiji to Aotearoa upon Hine Moana. Best sailing memory? See the big waves and swell on the way back from Fiji. Worst sailing experience? Having no wind and having the waka just sit there for a day. Describe yourself in one word? Smart. Who is your greatest influence? Hoturoa. If you could be a super hero, who would you be? Superman. |
 | Tyler Roberts Tyler Roberts (18) is Ngati Raukawa from Aotearoa. He is the son of Gaylene and Joseph Roberts and has two brothers and one sister. He has been paddling waka ama for nine years and this year started sailing waka hourua. What would you like to achieve on this voyage? I want to see how my ancestors travelled using the stars to navigate. What is your best sailing memory? Sailing back from Fiji in 4-5 metre swells and steering at the hoe. What is your worst sailing memory? Changing the sails at night in the middle of a storm. One word to describe yourself: Hard-out. Who is your greatest influence? Hoturoa. If you could be a super hero, who would you be? The Green Lantern. |
 | Will Te Wao Will Te Wao (29) is the son of Wilfred and Jan Te Wao. He hails from Tainui and has been involved with waka taua for about four years and have just taken up waka hourua this year. Will is also an emerging artist What do you want to achieve on this voyage? To learn about the ways of my ancestors, to learn how to sail and navigate by the stars. What is your best memory sailing? I don't have a specific one but one of the things I love about sailing is meeting new people. What is your worst memory sailing? Getting up early to do the morning shift. One word that describes you? Calm. Your greatest influence? My grandparents Whareroa and Reiha Pakau, and Cecil and Te Rerewai Te Wao |
 | Hori Manuirirangi Hori Manuirirangai (36) is Nga Ruahine and Tainui. He and Tamara Karu have two lovely children, Tama (8) and Hori Jnr (7). He has been involved with waka ama for the past decade and sailing waka hourua for the past four years. What do you hope to achieve in this voyage? To help revive the star navigation traditions of ancestors. What is yoru best sailing memory? Catching a huge yellow fin tuna and having sashimi for dinner. What is your worst sailing memory? A rough week of weather when returning from Norfolk. One word to describe yourself? Loyal. Who is your greatest influence? Too many to list. If you could be a super hero, who would you be? The Hulk. |
 | Te Miroa Maxwell Te Miroa Maxwell (17) is Ngati Rangiwewehi. He is mostly known as a keen hunter and kapa haka performer. Te Miroa is one of the younger Haunui crew and is new to sailing. What do you hope to achieve on this voyage? I hope to learn some of the ways of my ancestors, and the history and knowledge of my ancestors. I would like to continue to learn more about Maori and Polynesia over the next few years. What is your best sailing memory? The first time I went sailing it was with all my cousins on Te Matau a Maui. What is your worst sailing memory? Just a few mistakes that I made. One word to describe yourself? Hungry. Who is your greatest influence? My koro Mita Mohi and my uncle Pat. If you could be a super hero, who would you be? Juggernaut . |
 | Ihaia Briggs Ihaia Briggs (51) is Ngai Tahu. He has one son Elliot and a six-year-old granddaughter, Maia. He has been on the fishing boats and ships since 1976. What do you hope to achieve on this voyage? I want to learn about sailing and navigation, and about being one with the elements. What is your best sailing memory? Sailing into Cathedral cove. What is your worst sailing memory? Coughing up blood on a fishing boat in rough seas and thinking I was going to die. Who is your greatest influence? Nelson Mandela. One word to describe yourself? Loving. If you could be a super hero, who would it be? Robin Hood. |
 | Namaka Barclay-Kerr Namaka Barclay-Kerr (22) is from Hawai'i and Tainui. He is the eldest son of Hoturoa and Kim Barclay-Kerr, and has one brother and three sisters. Namaka recently graduated from Waikato University with a bachelors degree in Te Reo Maori and Tikanga. What do you hope to achieve on this voyage? I want to go places I have never gone before just like our tupuna used to do. What is your best sailing memory? Sailing back from Fiji and swimming in the middle of nowhere and not knowing what was out there in the ocean. What is your worst sailing memory? One day out of Fiji, I was sick for four days and could only eat cabin crackers. One word to describe yourself? Awesome. Who is your greatest influence? My nan Duchie Kapu. If you could be a super hero, who would you be? The Joker. |
 | Faumuina Tafuna'i Faumuinā Felolini Maria Tafuna’i (39) is married to Pat and mother to Oliver. Born in Christchurch to Mau’u A’anamaitu Lopeti and Nivaga, in her heart and blood she is Samoan. Faumuinā has read and painted about waka voyaging for the past decade. She learned how to tie sailing knots last year and then was fortunate to join Te Matau a Maui on its way around Samoa and then from Samoa to Tonga. What do you want to achieve on this voyage? To sail better than I did last time, to understand more, to remember more. To learn more about the ocean environment. To learn, to learn, to learn. Best memory sailing? Arriving in Tonga as the sun was coming up and hearing a church choir’s song waft over the ocean. Worst memory sailing? Having a great big wave wash over me while I was .. umm ... on the wharepaku. One word to describe yourself? Optimistic Your greatest influence? My father Mau’u Lopeti Favourite comic book hero? Wonder Woman |
 | Michelle Kapana-Baird Michelle Mapuana Kapana-Baird (49) is Hawaiian and a Hokule`a crew member. She is also a two-time Moloka’i Channel race winner. What do you want to achieve on this voyage? To sail Haunui from Fakarava-Marquesas-Hawai’i safely, to sail with a new ‘ohana wa’a, to represent my family and sailing mentors, to share the wonders of Wayfinding with anyone interested and to develop a voyaging curriculum for students. Your best memory sailing? Sailing with my husband and son as an ‘ohana on Hokule’a. Sailing with Clay Bertlemann off South Point & Papa Mau in Hawai’i . Your worst memory sailing? The 2am to 6am watch ‘sucks’. It’s especially hard when your internal clock wants to sleep, but others depend on you to take care of the canoe. Bad weather affects you too when you are changing the sails or jib in squalls. Basically you want to complain, but don’t especially knowing the navigator hasn’t slept. You learn to be alert, adapt, overcome and work through it! Describe yourself in one word? Faithful. Who is your greatest influence? Although there are so many people I have met over the years and treasure the experiences, friends and family of the `Ohana Wa`a. I am grateful to navigator Nainoa Thompson whom gave me an opportunity to be part of something bigger than I ever imagined and giving me the opportunity to sail aboard Hokule`a. It is my honoir and pleasure to know Master Navigator Pius Mau Piailug and to be able to call him Papa Mau. Second, I’m grateful to have paddled with Hui Nalu and to be coached by Hokule`a Navigator Bruce Blankenfeld – O Captain my captain, we did everything he asked us to do and won. Other `ohana members include: Uncle Wally Froiseth – the gentle Harbor Pilot/carpenter who maintained Hokule`a, Harry Ho the first Hokule`a crew member of Healani Canoe Club that inspired me to dream to sail Hokule`a, Captains Gordan Pi`ianaia and Buddy McGuire the first captains I trained to sail on Hokule`a, Jimmy Shizuru – ace carpenter who dedicated his life to restore Hokule`a and my friend Hoturoa Kerr who sailed with Kaumatua Hector Busby and asked me to crew on Haunui. Of all the Hokule`a crew members who touched my life the most is my friend, mentor and big brother the late Captain Clayton Bertlemann, who built Makali'i; he was my hero. |
 | Teone Sciascia Teone Sciascia (36) is Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Kuia and Ngāti Raukawa. He is married to Tina and together they have a lovely daughter named Aria. He has sailed around coastal Aotearoa. What do you want to achieve on this voyage? To build relationships with like-minded people wanting to explore the oceans that our tipuna sailed. Your best memory sailing? Bowman on Aotearoa One in rough conditions, attaching the storm jib and breaking through the wave, a kind of baptism really. Your worst memory sailing? Calm conditions with no wind! Describe yourself in one word? Dedicated Who is your greatest influence? My father Piri. If you could be a superhero, who would it be? Tamatea Pokai Whenua Pokai Moana |
 | Chadwick (Sonny) Keli'iaukai Roldan Chadwick (Sonny) Keli’iaukai Roldan (23) is a native Hawaiian. His mother is Diane Chadwick and his father is George Roldan. He has two brothers Keanu and Noah and one sister, Janelle. Sonny has been sailing for Na Kalai Waa moku o Keawe/Makali’i. He has also worked in Dutch Harbor, Alaska. What do you want to achieve on this voyage? My first long-distance ocean crossing. What is your best memory sailing? This is a more recent one of many. 2010 Hawaii State sail: We we’re sailing home to Kawaihae on Makali’i. We we’re in the Alenuihaha channel and it was rough. The jib stay needed to get tightened so Kala Thomas and I went out on the ‘alelo to pull the lines. The waves were up so as we tried to work the lines we would every so often get plunged in to the ocean. We had to hold on as tight as we could and just go under. It was a fun ride. What is your worst memory sailing? Never had one… What is one word to describe yourself? Voyager. Who is the greatest influence? Uncle Chadd Paishon and Aunty Pomai Bertelmann. It’s a combo because I can’t have one without the other. |
 | Kalei Valasco Wayne Michael Kalei Velasco known as Kalei is Hawaiian. He is an experienced sailor and scuba instructor. It has been his life-long dream to be part of a sailing wa’a/waka. Since he was a child, he watched his older sister sail with the Makali`i crew from Hawaii island. Since that time Kalei has wanted to experience what she experienced as being apart of a wa'a which uses traditional Polynesian way finding techniques. "Sailing and the ocean are my passions. I spend most of my time in, on, under and around the ocean and I want to spend my time helping to care for Haunui as she crosses the Pacific to bring awareness to others of our Polynesian culture and the current status of our oceans." |
 | Murray Bright Murray Everard Bright (51) is a salty sailor and windsurfer who lives in Hamilton and likes to think himself as being of this land. He acknowledges his wonderful father, Alan, and mother, Lesley, whom Murray says are his strength in times of need. He also has two beautiful younger sisters, Lorraine and Kerry, and two older brothers, Neville and Glenn, and two younger brothers, Dean and Shayne. Also acknowledged is Geraldine Bright who has always supported Murray's voyages. Aside from sailing, Murray is also a talented ceramicist. What do you want to achieve on this voyage?To be a part of a voice of protecting Tangaroa. What is your best memory sailing?I was resting in my bus after a hard sail at a windsurf wave event in Taranaki and was watching a 12-volt black-and-white TV and saw my best friend win the Olympic gold medal in windsurfing. I ran down to the beach yelling to tell everyone who were sailing in a 20-knot onshore wind. I was so proud of him I just wanted to scream it out. What is your worst memory sailing?Well there has been many. But this is a memory that's bad but kind of funny. The day the dog catcher was after my dog. It's too long to tell just now but it would have made great reality TV - all for the price of a $75 fine. What is one word to describe yourself? Impressionable. Who is the greatest influence? Life itself. If you could be a superhero, who would it be? Doctor Who .. |
 | Keahi Lindsey Camara Keahi Lindsey Camara (21) is from Hawaii. He is the son of Leilani Lindsey Kaapuni and Keahi Hanakahi. Keahi cares deeply about earth’s fragile eco-systems and is currently pursuing a degree in environmental science. He is an avid surfer who loves the ocean and is grateful for the opportunity to sail on Haunui to help raise awareness of our connection to the ocean. What do you hope to achieve on this journey? I want to learn to navigate by the stars and the elements as my kupuna did long ago and feel what they felt as they voyaged across the Pacific. Best sailing memory? Sailing on Moloka‘i’s north shore when a school of dolphins swam alongside us. Worst sailing memory? None. Describe yourself in one word? Friendly. Who is your greatest influence? My ‘ohana. If you could be a super hero, who would you be? Kūali‘i. |
 | Richard “Rico” Miranda Richard “Rico” Miranda was one of the first faces the fleet saw when arriving in San Francisco Bay. Rico is Rumsen Ohlone (Native American), whose tribe is from Monterey, California. He greeted the voyagers on the water in his traditional tule canoe he built for the 2011 arrival, before welcoming the fleet with song and dance by his family and other Native Americans from various tribes. Rico began sailing with Haunui in 2011 from San Francisco to San Diego. Rico is proud to represent his own Native roots and his families Polynesian ancestors, since his wife and children are Samoan and Hawaiian, learning about traditional sailing and navigation. He really loves the sense of community he has found throughout the fleet, sharing cultural knowledge on a daily basis. Environmental education and protection have also been a large part of Rico’s life, being a teacher, public educator, social worker and land restoration specialist for many years. Rico continues to be committed to helping create a better place for our future generations while honoring his family ancestors. Rico’s super hero is Superman because his father, as a child, once bought a cape in the mail and tried flying by jumping off the roof of his house. |
 | Jo Noble I am a nomad from England, with my combined background of sailing, teaching and being a beachbum drawing me repeatedly to the South Pacific. I am passionate about people, cultures and our planet, but am saddened to witness increasingly unhealthy relationships between these. ‘Living waka’ is a microcosm of how our earth could be, both socially and environmentally; a whanau of nationalities working together, shifting away from the global culture of convenience (laziness resulting in waste and environmental impact). We are living, and hopefully spreading, the change we would like to see. Not many people know that I used to live on a crocodile farm, or that if I were to be a superhero I’d choose to be my Mum as long because I could put wings on her. |
 | Jocelyn “Joy” Ronquillo Ancheta Jocelyn “Joy” Ronquillo Ancheta (33) is a Filipino American born and raised in Los Angeles County, CA. Her parents are from La Union, Philippines. Currently living in Hawaii, Joy is committed to serving in the healing arts as her ancestors did. She has been receiving instruction of the ancient Philippine healing systems of Ablon and Pranic Energy as well as Hawaiian Lomilomi. This voyage is very important to Joy because she has a deep love for the ocean and all its creatures. She is honored to voyage with the Pacific Voyagers to represent her Austronesian ancestors and her ancestral land, colonially named the Philippines. In addition to bringing awareness of issues our oceans are facing, she also hopes to inspire other Filipinos to appreciate their great legacy of ancient bangka traditions of sailing and navigation. Her dream is to build a proper traditional deep sea bangka canoe to be used in the diaspora to inspire, educate and help young Filipinos take pride in their ancestral connection to the ocean and become responsible stewards of mother dagat (ocean). Her parents are her superheroes because they left their motherland to create a better life with more opportunities for their children. |
 | Walter R. Flores III Walter R. Flores III is 1st Generation Mexican- American. When I met the Pacific Voyagers I had just finished returning from Hawaii after delivering a TransPac racing yacht to Ventura, Ca. Turning 60 yrs. old really set my mind to thinking about what to do in the next phase of my life. Having been the canoe keeper of the Hokule’a for two years and helping construct the Hawaii Loa set my mind to the reimmersion of myself into the family of the wa’as (wakas). The proudest day of my sailing life was the day Nainoa Thompson personally asked me if I wanted to train to be crew & navigator on” Hoku” (Hokule’a ). I thought from that day on I could nothing better in my life than to help perpetuate the legacy of ancient Polynesian voyaging & wayfinding. Well lo and behold after volunteering with the PVs in the boatyard for three months, Nick Henry and Murray Bright approached me and asked if I would like to sail with the wakas! Dec. 24th New Zealand time, I skyped with Duncan Morrison and in less than 5 mins he more or less told me to pack my seabag. Best damn Christmas present ever! Favorite superhero- “Spiddy” aka Spiderman- Yin & Yang, Good & Bad all the above. |
 | Kainoa Kalani Kahaunaele Kainoa Kalani Kahaunaele is a Konohiki farmer and cultural preservationist. This voyage means a lot to me because I get to connect with our brothers and sisters of the great canoes that left Hawaiki centuries ago, and because I wish to become Kapena (captain) of my own waka someday so I may work with the kids and get them sailing at younger ages. My dream is to see the islands flooded with waka like the old days. My superhero is Kila one of the great navigators of old. |
 | Rua Paul Rua Paul is Ngai Tahuhu. According to family genealogy I descend from Hui Te Rangiora, navigator. Pacific Voyagers have given me the opportunity to experience a modern day version of this ancient tradition of Oceanic Sailing. Our ancestors had knowledge and insight into sustaining and caring for our environment, this project promotes this wisdom and knowledge which I am also committed in promoting and sharing. Best sailing experience; Sailing to Mururoa in1973 on S.V Fri to protest French Nuclear Testing in the Pacific. Mankind’s deadliest threat. Worst sailing experience; Storms. Super Hero. JC. |
 | Jazmine Tong Having grown up on both sides of the Pacific Ocean (Hong Kong and Canada) I have a passion for the ocean and our marine life. Pacific Voyagers has provided me with a chance of not only 1 lifetime but 3 lifetimes to live out my passion. Having lived in the Cook Islands for the past year I have learned about traditional vaka sailing and find it a privilege and honor to actually be sailing amongst experienced vaka sailors and navigators just as our ancestors did. I have been sincerely humbled by this opportunity to be part of such an historical event with my vaka brothers and sisters and will take this chance to continue to spread awareness that our Pacific ocean is in extreme need of attention and help. I detest plastic, am a classical pianist, ride a GSXR 600 and won the 2011 Regional Stella Artois Draught Masters competition. My Superhero: My mother, father and brother would be my superheroes as they have always been there to save the day on many occasions but more importantly they have instilled in me integrity, compassion and kindness to share with our beautiful planet. Te mana on te moana. |
 | Jordan Suyeto Jordan Suyeto (20) is the son of Scott Suyeto and Tricia Seva’aetasi, who is from Pago Pago, American Samoa. He has a brother Brandon and sister Ciara Suyeto. “I want to learn all that I can about how our ancestors conquered the Pacific and as their lineage, how we can save it. My best sailing memory is while sailing out of Long Beach Harbor, we came across a pod of dolphins, and they followed our boat for a good hour just hanging out with us. I don’t have a bad sailing memory and I describe myself as loyal. My father is my greatest influence and if I was a superhero, I would be Avatar, The Last Airbender. |
 | Catherine Fuller Hawaiian Catherine Fuller (45) is the daughter of Susan Fuller, and has one sister, Anne Fuller, and two cats Fiona and Pippin. I have sailed with the Polynesian Voyaging Society since 1993 on both Hokule’a and Hawai’iloa, as well as spending time on Hokualaka’i. I sailed in 1995 to Tahiti and the rest of the Society Islands, and then on to the Marquesas. In 1999, I sailed through the Marquesas to Pitcairn and Mangareva as an apprentice navigator. I sailed every channel in the state of Hawai’I and have also worked on six drydocks. I also spent a few seasons racing outrigger sailing canoes. Something interesting that not many people know about me is I studied both classical piano and ballet. On this voyage, I would like to expand the connections I have through Polynesia and the Pacific. It is becoming increasingly important for Pacific Islanders to be aware of what is happening to our oceans, and to come together as one to make our voice heard. I am inspired by the kids I teach and I would bring this back to them. I think the most indelible memory sailing I have was listening to Billy Richards and Clay Bertelmann singing “Sailors of Fortune” in 1995, just before I left for Tahiti. Hearing them sing, I felt the longing they had for the sea and the unutterable depth of the experience of being OUT THERE. When I got to Tahiti … well … it was in me, too. And when we met up with the Te Aurere, Takitumu and Te Au O Tonga crews, I saw in their eyes that it was in them, and that made us family. If I could be a superhero, who would it be? I would be Luke Skywalker because of the incredible personal journey he went through, and the way he fought his own demons … and “the Force”, of course! On the other hand, I’d be Captain Jack Sparrow because pirates have way more fun. |
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