Faitele-Historical Recount: Voyaging Waka

Have you ever wondered how people migrated back in the day? One thousand years ago in Hawaiki, there lived a captain he said to 12 of the villagers:

“We are leaving because there was not enough space in the Hawaiki.”

My responsibilities were  to make a boat, also I had to gather food and build a shelter on the boat to keep safe when there is danger. I needed to take a Tahuna, cook, family and friends also some animals so if our food run’s out and there are no more fish we can cook and eat them. I had  learned my skills from my koro. I will miss my friends because I will probably never see them again and I will not have the chance to play and have fun. We would fear the big waves because it is bigger than the boat. But I am looking forward to the new land and its nature.

-Faitele & Oh S’ mar

As i'm on the boat I feel excited, but then a few days later I feel bored just steering the wheel of the boat and looking at the deep blue sea. My family, friends and also the tahuna were all bored as well. As our journey carried on we started to feel hungry. I could hear birds so I knew there were fish nearby, we catched fish and cooked it it was very nice.  By keeping the food fresh we store it under the boat where the water is, so it’s nice and cold.

-Faitele

After a few days, my family and I, the Tahuna and the cook were feeling bored. Later on it became,  night and waves came crashing toward the boat and I had to steer the boat very skillfully so that the boat does not flip over. But then one enormous wave came and overflowed the boat with water but luckily the boat didn't sink. While the big wave hit their boat the pig fell out of the boat.  The waka smelled very revolting  and I could see the birds and the sun rising.

- Ohsmar and Faitele

When I was a teenager, my father showed me the skills to be a captain by songs.  Alot of the boat rides I’ve taken people on, they always thanked me after I take them to their destination. I feel happy that people depend on me and be so polite to me.  

-Faitele

It was the 15th day and we spotted land. I was so excited when I saw rocks, seagulls, I could smell land and  light blue water  because that means there is land near by. It was foggy so the people could not see but I was in front of the boat and I saw land.   

-Tamim

I will be honest, It was scared when the waves were big and heading straight for us. I learnt that I should be more careful of what time of the year I go because it could cost me my life if I go in winter.

-Faitele, Oh S’mar, Tamim.