THE launch of the canoe Uto Ni Yalo (Heart of souls) could not have come at a better time than the opening of the South Pacific Pageant yesterday.
Blessed with a kaleidoscope of culture, religion and tradition that entails the way of the Pasifika seafarers, the official launch was honoured by the presence of 11 of the 12 contestants who will be vying for the Miss South Pacific crown this year.
The canoe ferried the queens from Laucala Bay to the capital where the official opening of the festival was to take place.
Launched in the early hours of yesterday morning, the British High Commissioner and chief guest, Malcolm McLachlan, said the day marked a new era for the newly-formed Fiji Islands Voyaging Society (FIVS).
"I am proud to note that an objective of the FIVS is to contribute to sustainable development and preservation of the Fiji Islands marine and land environment through resource renewal and public education," said Mr McLachlan.
In June next year, he said a flotilla of canoes would sail from Fiji to Hawaii to advocate the protection of our ocean environment and rekindle traditional voyaging, sailing and navigational skills.
"People of the Pacific rely a great deal on marine life, which is constantly subjected to global warming and climate change. "
He said the world was 15 days away from Copenhagen 2009 where 8000 people representing 170 countries would meet on the prevention of global warming and climate change.
"These challenges are real and urgent.
"Therefore, I am very encouraged to see Pacific Island countries taking action to protect and preserve their ocean environment."
Mr McLachlan extended the well wishes of Queen Elizabeth and her people that Pacific Voyaging may remain a symbol to the close Pacific traditional links and its people.
Representing the Pacific Voyaging movement, Rawiri Patekere from New Zealand, said people of the Pacific had been the innocent victims of ocean noise pollution for years.
"And the time has come for the Pacific to unite, stand firm while they voice their concerns," Mr Patekere said.
"The sea has been crying for years and it is time to answer that call for help.
"It's too late to point fingers at greater world imperialists but we can hold hands and stand together and begin our journey with the right words.
"For such a moment is where ideas and thought will be heard."
Regaling on the words of his late grandfather who said "when you paddle your canoe, paddle quietly" meaning that everything was done in respect of Moana and the Fenua, who the founding ancestors of the Pacific had continually prayed for and blessed before it is handed down to the next generation.
"As story tellers, what would we tell our children?"
