Project Updates  ||  Table of Contents

THE VAKA TAUMAKO PROJECT

Sailing with Lata     The Original Polynesian Voyager

Sailing with Lata Exhibit at Kauai Museum Mimi, Larry, and Meph have been hard at work hanging photos, arranging artifacts, and generally getting in everyone's way at Kaua`i Museum as they prepare for the official opening of "Sailing with Lata" on 27 April. Here are some pictures to show you how the show looked as of 13 April. We plan to update these as the work progresses, so check this site again later. We hope to have the exhibit ready well before the official opening date, so if you are in Lihu`e, drop by and get a preview. The Museum is at 4428 Rice Street, across from First Hawaiian Bank and the main Post Office. If you need directions or other information, you can phone (808) 245 6931. The opening reception for the exhibit will be Friday, April 27 at 5 pm. Roselle Bailey will be leading the opening protocol. The exhibit runs from Apr. 27 through Oct. 31, 2007. The exhibit has four panels, each featuring one aspect of the show. This one tells about Lata, and includes: a map showing where Lata stories crop up in the Pacific, several stories about Lata, a piece on how the Taumako see Lata embodied in their voyaging canoes, and a section on people like Chief Kaveia who have studied weather modification. The first section most people will see is this one, which contains maps and other information on the Solomon Islands generally and Taumako in particular. It is part of a larger wall which includes an explanation of the VTP, and a series of photos depicting daily life on Taumako. Helen, Larry, and Mimi discuss arrangement of photos and text for the Sailing and Navigation section. Kaua`i Museum Director Carol Lovell holds the large lauhala sail that will hang from the balcony and, we hope, guide people to the exhibition. Few people outside of Taumako have ever seen a sail like this, as almost no one but nga Taumako still knows how to make these sophisticated canoe engines. Hanging from the balcony: Sail made from lauhala (Pandanus leaves). Sails like this one carried early Polynesians across the Pacific from Tahiti to New Zealand and Hawai`i. Today only a few people still know how to make them. Most people in Hawai`i have never even seen one. Even the incomplete exhibit is already attracting interest from visitors to the Museum. Meph reports that some eager museum goers have elbowed her out of the way as she attempted to mount photos! We hope that people will be as excited when the show is really open. This section is on the wall facing the museum's main entrance. It comprises three sections: Where is Taumako, What is the Vaka Taumako Project, and Life on Taumako. A foe (paddle) carved by Moses Memuana hangs from the moulding and divides the Life on Taumako portion from the VTP information. The blade of a foe vaka (steering paddle) made for the Anahola te alo stands lashed to a post in the middle of the Senda Gallery. Eventually a case containing a model tepuke will be installed next to it, and this unit should be a focal point for the show. What is the Vaka Taumako Project? This area tells about VTP origins, introducing Chief Kaveia and Mimi. It also contains photos of the 1997 launching, the 1998 voyage and cultural exchange, and a copy of a design by Jennifer.  ››  More Pictures:  Exhibit Pictures Page  ‹‹  30 April, 2007 Aloha, The Vaka Taumako Project wishes to thank all those who have contributed to the success of "Sailing with Lata", the exhibition now on display at the Kaua`i Museum. We could easily fill an issue of The Garden Island with the names of people who have helped us. In the interests of saving print and trees, however, we mention a few whose generosity and kindness have been exceptional. In no particular order, they are: the Kaua`i Museum staff and volunteers, especially Carol, Margaret, Kalei, Dale, and Alan the miracle worker; the Art Shop staff, Kaua`i Business Services, Sign Art, Dan Jackson, Roselle Bailey and the members of Ka `Imi Na`auao o Hawai`i Nei, San's Flowers and Leis, Keoki's, Herb Kane, Longs' Drugs in Lihu`e, Business Support Services, Sondra and Mike Grace, Keya Keita and The Garden Island, and, last but far from least, Paramount Chief Koloso Kaveia and the people of Taumako. We also appreciate the aloha of the many people who called to express concern for those whose lives have been disrupted by the recent earthquake/tsunami in the Solomon Islands. We continue to monitor the situation there, and will post news on this website. Me ke aloha, Dr. Mimi George Larry Williamson, Meph Wyeth

Vaka Taumako Project of the Pacific Traditions Society PO Box 712 Capt. Cook, HI 96704 Phone (808) 936-8462     FAX    (808) 823-6741     Email:  george.mimi@gmail.com The Vaka Taumako Project operates under the aegis of the Pacific Traditions Society, a 501(c)3, non-profit organization. Monetary and some other donations are tax-deductible in the USA. In Germany, donations for the VTP are tax deductible if you donate to the Verein zur Frderung kultureller Traditionen (a non-profit organisation) under the key word "Vaka Taumako Project". For address and bank account information see  www.traditionen.org   Contact Dr. Mimi George, Principal Investigator Mailing address: Dr. Mimi George and Paramount Chief K. Kaveia P.O. Box 712, Capt. Cook, HI 96704 USA e-mail:  george.mimi@gmail.com Phone 001 808 936 8462 H. M. Wyeth, Permanent Secretary Phone 001 808 822 0647 FAX 001 808 823 6741 Larry Williamson, President, The Pacific Traditions Society   To get onto our mailing list and/or to send in a contribution, please mail your name, address, e-mail address, and phone / fax to Mimi George at the address above.

Project Updates  ||  Table of Contents

Updated 06/04/07