A young woman from the Anglican Diocese of Polynesia is part of a sailing crew on a traditional vaka vessel, the Uto ni Yalo. It is sailing from Suva in Fiji to the Solomon Islands, for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) in Honiara. Those on the voyage, will seek to amplify the voices of Pacific youth, calling on leaders to act as true guardians of the ocean and to take this message beyond the region to the world. The voyage is scheduled to arrive on 8 September.

The Pacific Islands Forum brings the region together to address pressing issues and challenges, and foster collaboration and cooperation in the pursuit of shared goals. Founded in 1971, it comprises 18 members: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

The PIFLM vision is for 'a resilient Pacific region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion and prosperity, that ensures all Pacific peoples can lead free, healthy and productive lives.'

The Uto ni Yalo will sail in solidarity with the Taumako Te Puke canoe upon reaching Temotu, honouring Solomon Islands’ navigation heritage and supporting the Motalava Treaty. The voyage carries key Pacific messages for Forum Leaders: the call for a fossil fuel free Pacific, the recognition of the Pacific as an Ocean of Peace, and the affirmation of Indigenous guardianship and traditional knowledge in addressing today’s environmental challenges.

The young Anglican woman on the voyage is 20-year-old Ms Kakala Tevi, from Tonga and Fiji. She represents the next generation of Pacific leaders and guardians of the ocean. Her presence together with other young sailors affirms the Diocese’s commitment to raising young voices in advocacy for climate justice, peace, and the protection of creation.

In a video message, she said:  “As one of the young crew onboard, I’m eager to learn from all of the older and more mature sailors…I can’t wait to be out at sea.”

This is the second consecutive year Pacific voyagers have undertaken this journey to the Forum by traditional canoe and like the journey last year, it serves as a symbol of Pacific prosperity and unity, embracing the ancestral roots and traditional knowledge in addressing modern environmental challenges.

As the voyage prepared to set sail, the Most Revd Sione Uluilakepa, Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, led a blessing ceremony, invoking God’s protection and guidance upon the vaka and crew.

In his message, Archbishop Sione said: “This vaka carries with it not only the hopes of its crew but also the prayers of our Pacific peoples. We are reminded by the psalmist that those who sail the seas witness the wonders of God’s creation, and they are called to give thanks for His steadfast love. May this voyage be a testimony of faith, of unity across our ocean, and of our shared responsibility to safeguard creation.”

Climate Change Commissioner for the Anglican Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia, Fe’iloakitau Kaho Tevi, spoke about the significance of the voyage: ‘As we prepare to set sail on the Wansolwara Voyage, we are reminded that the ocean is not just our highway or our source of food—it is the heart of our identity and our survival. This voyage is a moving prayer, carrying the hopes of a generation who refuse to accept a polluted, dying ocean as their inheritance. Our message is clear: we must end plastic pollution, reject destructive practices like deep-sea mining, and act with courage to protect the blue Pacific for generations to come.’

The Diocese of Polynesia is a proud partner of the Pasifiki Voyaging Alliance and joins with communities across Oceania in prayer for the safe passage of the crew, the strength of their testimony, and the success of the Wansolwara Voyage.

Find out more about the voyage on the Diocese of Polynesia Facebook Page or the Uto ni Yalo Trust Facebook page.