BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele acknowledges the voyagers of the ‘Uto ni Yalo’ from Fiji who have journeyed across the Pacific to join Tepuke for the Honiara 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIFLM) Leaders Meeting in Honiara.

The regional meeting is set to commence from September 8-12, 2025 in Honiara.

The two vaka or traditional canoes met in Lata and are now sailing together to Honiara as part of the Wansolwara Voyage, One Ocean, One Voice.

“I also acknowledge the voyagers of the ‘Uto ni Yalo’ from Fiji who have journeyed across the Pacific to join our own Te Puke. Their voyage is a powerful symbol of Pacific unity, cultural pride and stewardship of a shared ocean,” said PM Manele.

He said that it connects directly to the spirit of the PIFLM 54th Meeting logo, which features a Te Puke canoe at its heart.

He said that these voyages embody teamwork, resilience and guardianship.

“Just as the logo portrays leaders navigating with unity and purpose, so too do these voyages that embody the teamwork, resilience and guardianship that bind us together as a blue Pacific continent,” he said.

“I encourage us all to keep the voyagers in our prayers for a safe arrival in Honera, where they will bring their message to leaders next week,” appealed PM Manele.

According to a brief update from Vaka Valo Association & Tepuke Facebook, the current position of the two Vaka is in the Makira Ulawa territory.

Based on the update, Uto Ni Yalo and Tepuke are expected to approach Guadalcanal today afternoon with an estimated arrival at the final destination on Friday afternoon.

The Vaka Valo Association & Tepuke Facebook said that due to the unstable wind strength and mostly weak, they can’t reach the expected speed to the expectation.

It adds that despite the weak wind of below 5 kt, the Crews are enjoying the Wansolwara voyage and final leg to Honiara.

It said that since the two Vaka will arrive earlier than Monday, 8th September, for the official Opening of PIFLM, a stopover at Foxwood Beach will take place to allow the Crews to rest before participating in the formal opening of PIF in the Marine School Area morning of Monday, 8th September, 2025.

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