from Pacific Paddler Magazine, June 2002 – by Meph Wyeth Dateline: Duff Islands, Temoto Province, eastern Solomon Islands. Sunday 24 March was a red letter day for the people of Taumako, Duff Islands: The official opening of the new community Hale Vaka (canoe house). They had good reason to celebrate. This massive structure, built entirely of traditional plant materials, may be the biggest man-made thing on any island in Temotu. It’s 16 meter long main hall certainly dwarfs e