A Surprise Awaits in Tongatapu

After an lovely time in Vava’u, we set sail to Tongatapu via the Ha’apai group of islands on the evening of October 19th.

Outside Mariners Cafe
Outside Mariners Cafe

We arrived in Lifuka, Ha’apai the following morning and headed to town to check in and have a bite to eat at Mariner’s Cafe with our friends Claudia and Matthew of SY Nana Parahi.  While the cafe remained untouched by Ian, a Category 5 Cyclone that hit the Ha’apai group in January, many other buildings in town were flattened and a great deal of rebuilding was underway.

Example of Devastation from Cyclone Ian
One of Many Buildings Destroyed by Cyclone Ian
Another Example of a Building Flattened By Ian
Another One Of The Many Buildings Destoryed By Ian

We had originally intended to spend two weeks visiting the Ha’apai before heading to Tongatapu.  Unfortunately, the weather was not in our favor.  We sailed to Ha’afeva Island on the 21st and arrived just before the rains started.  The forecasts indicated that the weather wouldn’t get better anytime soon, so we sadly decided to lift anchor on October 22nd and head to Tongatapu to wait for a weather window for our New Zealand passage.

Royal Palace
Royal Palace – Kingdom of Tonga

But all was not lost!  An unexpected treat awaited us.  As we were arriving at Queen Salote Wharf in Tongatapu the morning of Octber 23rd, we heard the Hōkūle‘a hailing a pilot boat on the VHF.

Hōkūle‘a and Hikianalia Image by Ken Charon
Hōkūle‘a & Hikianalia in Radio Bay, Hawaii Before Departure
Image by Ken Charon

Hōkūle‘a and it’s sister Hikianalia are Polynesian voyaging canoes that are sailing the world’s Oceans in support of a global movement for a more sustainable world.

Hōkūle‘a Outside Queen Salote Wharf Image Courtesy The Captain
Hōkūle‘a Outside Queen Salote Wharf
Image Courtesy The Captain

These voyaging canoes left The Big Island in Hawaii for Tahiti in May 2014, a month after Amandla set sail from there.

Hōkūle‘a Entering Queen Salote Wharf
Hōkūle‘a Entering Queen Salote Wharf

We have been following their voyage ever since hoping to photograph them along the way.  Unfortunately, we have either been ahead of or behind them all the way to Tongatapu

Hōkūle‘a and Amandla In Queen Salote Wharf    Image Courtesy The Captain
Hōkūle‘a and Amandla In Queen Salote Wharf  And Me Photographing From The Bow – Image Courtesy The Captain

But now, at long last, here they were.  Just what we needed to cheer us up after having to cut short our trip through the Ha’apai.

Hōkūle‘a Tying Up Alongside The Docks in Tongatapu
Hōkūle‘a Tying Up Alongside The Docks in Tongatapu

And we had a ring-side seat for the arrival celebrations with Amandla anchored just across the way.

Prime Minister's Security Detail
Prime Minister’s Security Detail
Sialeʻataongo Tuʻivakanō - Prime Minster of Tonga
Sialeʻataongo Tuʻivakanō – Prime Minster of Tonga
Performing for the Prime Minster
Performing for the Prime Minster
Performing for the Prime Minster (2)
Performing for the Prime Minster (2)

We are now readying ourselves for our journey to New Zealand and will depart with the next weather window.   The Hōkūle‘a and Hikianalia are headed there too!

The Captain with Hōkūle‘a
The Captain with Hōkūle‘a With Amandla In The Background

6 comments A Surprise Awaits in Tongatapu

Marjorie says:

Lisa, I love following your adventures. If you ever make it back to LB, I’d love to hear about your travels!

Thank you so much for sailing with me virtually Marjorie! I look forward to swapping stories (my sailing journey for your journey as an an adoptive mom).

Keoni Lee says:

Aloha e Lisa,

Mahalo nui for sharing your story about Hōkūleʻa and the voyage arrival in Tonga. If we want to share your images, would you be ok with that? With courtesy of course…

Enjoy your travels!

Keoni
ʻOiwi TV & Hokuleʻa Worldwide Voyage

Keoni – I would be honored! We have so enjoyed following Hōkūlea virtually and loved being there for the arrival in Nuku’alofa. Hoping we’ll see you all in New Zealand! – Lisa

Ken Charon says:

Nice photo reportage on Amandla and Hokulea in Tonga. I’m so glad you got to interact on this historic moment.
Love from Hawaii Island, Ken Charon

Ken – Thank you so much for introducing us to the story of Hōkūle’a in the first place, allowing us to enjoy her story as part of our own journey. – Lisa

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