GLOSSARY

Kastam - customary ways and ritual observances – such as what people do for the occasions of for birth, marriage, death, reconciliations, etc.
Lata - the first person to build and sail a voyaging canoe – a pan-Polynesian culture hero
The Story of Lata - an oral history that tells how Lata was born, became orphaned, grew as a precocious child, built a canoe, selected a crew, and what happened on his voyages to other islands
Te Matua - Father/Mother/Ancestor
Te Aliki - Chief or Royal
Te - an article that is conventionally used before any noun to show respect – usually translates as “the”
Te Vaka - voyaging canoe
Te Vaka o Lata - The Vaka made by Lata (and those who are the heirs of Lata). Proa design and massively outrigged.
Te Puke - largest type of Vaka o Lata. minimum length of 6 fadom (fingertip to fingertip with outstretched arms), Has a house. Has a riser box in between main hull and outrigger beams, massive outrigger structure, nearly submarine main hull. Typically carries 10 people and 3 tons cargo.
Te Alo Lili - smaller type of Vaka o Lata.– up to 5.5 fathoms long, no riser box, may or may not have a house, main hull made of more buoyant wood, faster and lighter, normally carries up to 3 to 4 people.
Taumako - literally “strong cultural knowledge/arts”

Te Ube - the bird who helped Lata to build the first voyaging canoe (in the ancient story)
Hina/Hinora/Sina - the woman in the Story of Lata, who at first objected to Lata cutting down her tree, then gave him permission to cut it down.

Taumako - old name of Duffs Group
Kahula - the kainga (traditional land division) on the windward side of Taumako, the birthplace of Lata and of Koloso Kaveia
Tahua - artificial island built on the shallow lagoon on the east side of Taumako
Tohua - natural islet in the lagoon of Kahula. Tohua is known as the birthplace of Lata
Ndeni/Nendo - local names for Santa Cruz Island
Nohono - Reef / Outer Reef Islands

Tamanu - a species of hardwood tree (Callophylum) used for the main hull of Te Puke
Ulu - a stringy, soft hardwood tree called Breadfruit in English, used for the main hull of Te Alo Lili
Foe - steering or paddling blade
Ama - the main float on the outrigger
Lakahalava - outrigger beam
Matae - front and back boards/members of the riser box on a te puke
Papa alova - side boards of the riser box on a te puke
Lou - front and back structural members of the outrigger
Te Papa - solid wood platform fronting the haehale, with breakaway lashing in case of capsize
Li’i - windlasses that hold structures together
Te Alunga - the pillow piece that holds up the leeward platform of a Vaka o Lata
Utongi - additional float(s) lashed to the ama to form the outrigger, or to the hull to add buoyancy.
Laa - sail, as in the distinctive sail of Lata (Te Laa o Lata)
Laula - sail panel(s) woven from pandanas (laufala) strips
Haehale - half house on a Vaka o Lata
Saa - canoe bailer
Saa Moana - oceanic vaka bailer (with the handle inside)
kaha - cordage