since 1988, Pacific Traditions Society

supports initiatives by ancestral voyaging educators.

One of these is Holau Vaka Taumako Association (HVTA) of Solomon Islands.

HVTA aims to:

Train youth to build vaka and navigate
using ancient designs, methods & materials

Honor & protect Taumakan cultural heritage
& intellectual property rights

Accommodate local and international students
at Taumako Traditional Voyaging School

Create more sustainability, resilience,
bio-diversity and food security

Revive use of ancient seaways & establish
peaceful voyaging partnerships and networks

Write, archive, video, and make films about
ancient cultural knowledge of voyagers

Host and participate in cultural exchanges,
presentations, and demonstrations

LEARN MORE

2024 Pacific Traditions Society updates

Pacific Traditions Society (PTS) has posted very few updates on vaka.org since 2020. Many posts are available about the Vaka Taumako Project, the Ancestral Voyaging School Alliance, and other PTS projects on Facebook pages "vakataumakoproject" and "george.mimi.56" These posts include:

* a PTS Strategic Plan for December 2024 - December 2026

* a statement of need for a sustainable transport/cargo/escort boat to support programs of the Taumako Traditional Culture and Voyaging School of Holau Vaka Taumako Association. This boat must fulfill government rules for teaching youth at sea on traditional vessels. This boat will serve the entire region of S.E. Solomons and Northern Vanuatu (where no passenger transport vessel is based).

* an article "Pacific Traditions Society 45 Years of Ancient Voyaging Culture Education"

* a description of the Gerda Henkel Stiftung grant for Holau Vaka Taumako Association and Pasana Group. In the first year each of two voyaging schools built a canoe house / student accommodation. In the second year each is building an ancestral vessel, and training youth to sail and navigate using ancestral methods. Both will celebrate opening their schools in September and October of 2025.

* a request for support for 2 more of the 54 other groups seek support to build a canoe house and an ancestral vessel, and become sustainable schools that rebuild networks of oceanic learning and connection, that welcome both local and international students.