KOROR, Palau — The Alingano Maisu, a renowned traditional sailing canoe built in honor of master navigator Mau Piailug of Satawal, departed Palau on Sunday, April 20, for its first journey beyond Micronesian waters.
The voyage marks the canoe’s inaugural long-distance expedition to the Republic of China (Taiwan), with an anticipated arrival in Taitung after approximately 12 days at sea.
A crew of 10 is on board, including eight Micronesians and two Indigenous Taiwanese. The voyage is led by Master Navigator Cesario Sewaliur, son of the late Mau Piailug, who was instrumental in reviving the lost art of traditional Polynesian and Micronesian wayfinding and helped train Hawaiian navigators.
A traditional send-off ceremony took place at the Dropoff area in Malakal, in keeping with customary practices for launching sea voyages.
The Alingano Maisu is currently hosted by the Micronesian Voyaging Society, a Palau-based organization dedicated to preserving traditional sailing knowledge. The society collaborates with Palau Community College to promote education and training in the ancient art of navigation.
Upon arrival, the crew is expected to be welcomed by Taiwanese Indigenous communities who share cultural and ancestral ties with Micronesian peoples. (By: L.N. Reklai)