The Micronesian voyaging canoe Okeanos Waa'Qab is due in Samoa on Thursday afternoon, according to the Samoa Voyaging Society (SVS).

The double-hull canoe left Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) on 10 September for the Cook Islands via Samoa.

The members of the SVS or Aiga Folau o Samoa, as it is known locally, are preparing to welcome the Okeanos Waa'Qab captain and crew with a brief ava o le feiloa'iga on Thursday evening.

After close to four weeks at sea, one of Gaualofa’s watch captains, Taleni Aiolupotea of Satuimalufilufi said the ocean voyage from the FSM to Samoa is one of the toughest.

“For a voyaging canoe, this trip Okeanos Waa'Qab is undertaking is one of the toughest we can do with an east-south-east wind, you'll be doing it tough.

“May not be so bad for monohulls, but on a voyaging canoe it's tough, we even ran out of rations, well, almost and when we finally arrived all we're thinking was we just want a nice cool shower, a double bed and a pillow and an ice cold beer.”

The SVS Aiga Folau members will be meeting their voyaging family on arrival with the society’s leadership inviting all its former members as well as those who have voyaged before to join the welcoming party. 

According to the SVS President Memea Lyvia Black, the program for the arrival of the Micronesian voyaging canoe includes an official welcome by the Aiga Folau.

"There will be a welcome by the Aiga Folau o Samoa SVS family,  Gaualofa captain, crew and members. Then they proceed to SIGFA Clubhouse for a ava o le feiloa'iga by Aiga Folau, ava ceremony," she said.

"Refreshments will be hosted by the Cook Islands community and the crew will probably help with resetting up their Va'a then our Samoa team could take over their va'a duties and watch.”

However, the arrival of the Micronesian voyaging canoe will also be dependent on the wind direction with Memea cautioning that there could be a delay if the wind drops.

"The estimated time of arrival this morning showed they had made good progress but we’re also told if the wind drops again it may again be an amended estimated time of arrival to Friday. 

“This to say that voyaging and sailing is definitely not for the faint hearted, for sure.

"Our crew that have voyaged before are bringing in goods for the Waa'Qab crew especially treats like hot chocolates, cartons of milk, masi.

“As Natasha Fabricius, a former crew member for Aiga Folau on Gaualofa said, ‘I was trying to think of the hot items we wanted when we were voyaging’ – she totally understands how the crew are feeling.”

The grandmaster navigator Ali Haleyalur sent a message to the SVS according to Memea as the crew updated him on where the vaka would be.

"Thank you brothers from the Samoan Voyaging Society for the update. At least we have to know their whereabouts now. 

“The last time we know was when they approached the reef of Pohnpei. Thank you again and please keep us posted so we know when they arrive safely at their destination. 

“God bless and safe voyage home."