Wa'a welcoming Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
A fleet of traditional voyaging canoes have been welcomed into Kualoa bay, Hawai'i heralding the beginning of the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC).
Hundreds of Pacific Islanders gathered on the shore to witness and participate in the special Wa'a ceremony.
The exhibition of rich and vibrant cultural practices provided a window to what to expect in the coming days as FestPAC officially kicks off Thursday evening Hawai'i time (Friday NZT).
RNZ Pacific's Tiana Haxton is covering the event.
Vaka voyage - Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture 2024
Cook Islands Vaka Marumaru Atua crew welcomed ashore. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
FestPAC ceremonial opening. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
Delegates preparing for the Wa'a welcoming. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
Deleagtes preparing for the Wa'a welcoming. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
Delegates preparing for the Wa'a welcoming. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
Sails danced across the horizon as dozens of vaka big and small made their way to shore. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
On board each vessel were delegation leads and representatives from the 27 Pacific nations attending the FestPAC. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
Wa'a welcoming Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
Delegates were welcomed ashore the island way. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
Wa'a welcoming Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
FestPAC ceremonial opening. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
Cook Islands Vaka Marumaru Atua crew welcomed ashore. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
Aotearoa New Zealand delegation perform an impromptu haka. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
Crew and event attendees say FestPAC is a living testament to the strong connections between strong Pacific nations - connecting distant lands across vast oceans. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton