Koror, Palau – June 16, 2025 — The traditional voyaging canoe Alingano Maisu arrived back in Palau on Monday, June 16, 2025, after completing a cultural expedition from Taiwan. The canoe was welcomed with a public ceremony at 11:00 a.m. at NECO Marina in Malakal, celebrating its latest successful journey guided by ancestral non-instrument navigation.
The Maisu set sail from Palau on May 17, 2025, making the journey to Taiwan and then back to Palauan waters. The voyage retraced ancient Austronesian sea routes and served as a mobile classroom aimed at reconnecting Pacific Islanders—particularly youth—with traditional wayfinding, environmental stewardship, and Indigenous knowledge systems.
Led by Master Navigator Sesario Sewralur, son of the late Papa Mau Piailug, the crew relied entirely on stars, ocean swells, and natural indicators to complete the roundtrip voyage. Each journey of the Maisu builds on a larger mission by the Micronesian Voyaging Society (MVS) to revive and preserve Micronesian seafaring traditions through recurring voyages and intergenerational teaching.
The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan), with the support of Ambassador Jessica Lee, played a vital role in facilitating the voyage. Taiwan’s ongoing partnership with MVS reflects a shared commitment to cultural exchange, regional unity, and Indigenous heritage preservation.
Leading up to the arrival, MVS organized educational programs at Palau Community College and traditional ceremonies across Micronesia. Monday’s welcome event featured cultural performances, remarks from voyagers and community leaders, and public viewing of the canoe.
The Micronesian Voyaging Society, based in Palau, is a nonprofit organization focused on sustaining traditional navigation across the Pacific. Through training, active voyaging, and outreach, MVS continues to inspire new generations to navigate both the ocean and the future of their cultural identity. (By: Eustoria Marie Borja)