
Two Vaka o Lata, and the Rush to Complete a Te Puke
Cyclone Pam hit the island of Nifiloli hard. Community members retreated into the interior or fled to the somewhat higher island of Fenualoa. We are still learning more about what the damages were and what needs to be done now. The Peter Taea and Dixon Wia families, who were caring for the Taumako-built voyaging canoe (vaka) named “Holau Kaveia,” told Dr Simon Salopuka that the waves and surge of Cyclone Pam drove the vaka from where it was secured at the bush end of the beac