The Voyage
The
trip to Kapingamarangi was interesting in many ways. From this
experience I came to understand how the distances and isolation
of Kapingamarangi affected the people living there. The ship makes
the trip south about once every two months. This single ship is
the supply line to the outside world. Fuel, food and medical attention,
along with passengers are transported solely by way of this ship.
Perhaps
the most interesting part of the visit was not what I learned
about the old style of canoe but more what I did not. I had thought
that perhaps someone on the atoll would have more information
than what was available in the village on Pohnpei. However, this
did not seem to be case. Too many years had passed and with them
the knowledge of carving a waka siu.