HONOLULU (HI Now) - Protecting the ocean is more than a mission, it is a way of life across Oceania. That powerful message took center stage in Tahiti as the Polynesian Voyaging Society joined World Oceans Day events in support of Tainui Ātea, the world’s largest marine protected area.
PVS CEO and Pwo Navigator Nainoa Thompson traveled to French Polynesia with fellow PVS representatives at the invitation of President Moetai Brotherson and the Government of French Polynesia. During the Tainui Ātea Festival in Papeʻete, more than 35 organizations and public agencies came together to share ocean protection efforts, cultural knowledge, and education with the community.
The celebration also marked a major honor for Thompson, who was named the first International Ambassador of Tainui Ātea. The recognition celebrates his lifelong dedication to ocean stewardship, traditional navigation, education, and cultural preservation. French Polynesia also announced new fully protected marine zones, bringing its protected marine area to about 1.6 million square kilometers.
The visit continues a deep connection between Hawaiʻi and French Polynesia, rooted in Hōkūleʻa’s historic 1976 voyage to Tahiti and carried forward through a shared commitment to voyaging, cultural pride, and caring for the ocean that connects Pacific peoples. To learn more about Polynesian Voyaging Society and its work with Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia, visit pvshawaii.org.
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