Acknowledgements


The Kapingamarangi Canoe-Building Project was made possible by a complex network of funding and professional and personal support, both in the United States and in Micronesia. To all the people, both on the front line and behind the scenes, who have helped to realize this rewarding undertaking, I would like to convey my sincerest gratitude.

I would like to acknowledge the United States Department of Interior Office of Insular Affairs, the Federated States of Micronesia Historic Preservation Office, the Pohnpei State Office of Historic Preservation and Cultural Affairs, the University of Oregon Micronesia and South Pacific Program, and the United States National Park Service for providing the financial support for this project.

First, I would like to thank the Kapingamarangi people. They welcomed me into their lives and community with the greatest of warmth and generosity and openly shared their knowledge of canoe carving and other aspects of their culture. Individually, I would like to thank Andrew Lucky, Chief Magistrate of Kapingamarangi, and Yuda Bahingai, Chief of Porakiet; the waka siu carvers, Aisea Ulik, Kosen Mack, Boaz Dikepa, Depid Gamson, Bondaig David, Jimmy Amita, Connor Dikepa, Pedro Daick; those who translated for me, Linson Head, Henrick Mateak, Billy Mateak, Kieha Maruame; and the many others who were helpful and welcoming, Lino Mataky, Hanako Lucky, Kalio H. Dikepa.

Also, many thanks to Maradel Gale and Nancy Peyron and the rest of the wonderful people at the University of Oregon Micronesia and South Pacific Program. Their continual support, both in preparation and during the actual canoe carving project, was invaluable.

Thanks also go out to Nancy Cheng of the University of Oregon Department of Architecture, and Yoon Kim at the University of Oregon Knight Library Media Services, for their assistance in the production of this website.

Additionally, I would like to express my gratitude to those individuals at the Federated States of Micronesia Office of Historic Preservation and the Pohnpei State Office of Historic Preservation and Cultural Affairs who helped this project along the way, with special thanks to Retty Lawrence whose help was instrumental to the success of this undertaking. Among the many I would like to mention are Jones George, Dr. Rufino Mauricio, Emensio Eperiam, Lerleen David, Lisa Andon, and Lolita Nelber.

Special thanks to Etsuo Sato of the Japan Overseas Vocational Corp for his assistance with the photo-documentation and for the general good spirits he brought with him. Michael Lieber's sharing of important information was extremely helpful and very much appreciated. Meeting Kalio H. Dikepa was a pleasure and very helpful with clearing up the spelling confusion of the many words I encountered. Additionally, I would like to thank Iris Falcam at the College of Micronesia for her patience and guidance during my research. Finally I would like to thank my family and friends who supported me from afar while I was in Micronesia.