The time immediately after the arrival in Polynesia is expected to be rather hectic. An enormous cruise - 10,000 nautical miles, 18,500 kilometers (half-way around the world) - has been completed, and Tahitian quarters have strongly empha-sized that the reception of Ara-Moana "shall not be forgotten". In other words the good atmosphere most be enjoyed. But nothing ends here. On the contrary, "Ara-Moana in Polyne-sia" has only just begun.
The first month in Tahiti will be marked by intense planning. The project leader of Ara-Moana (PLAM), who has been skipper throughout the whole cruise, stays aboard the boat and is in charge of arranging the first true project cruises in French Polynesia.
The most important partnerships in Polynesia apart from the Polynesian Voyaging Society, are the French Polynesian NGO (Non Governmental Organization) Hiti Tau (Conseil National des ONG du pays Maohi) and the Marquisian association Motu Haka. Both organizations have a popular cultural background and organize activities and projects, the aim of which are to strengthen the cultural identity of the territory. (For more information see background material).
In co-operation with the three organizations the first sailing list and activity program of the project-cruise are arranged. Furthermore, both Denmark and Polynesia plan an introduction seminar for the soon to be crew.
It is made clear that PLAM has free hands to arrange the program in whichever way it finds it most appropriate, when Ara-Moana is actually in Tahiti. Detailed planning takes a good deal of understanding of the general situation in French Polynesia, especially about the mutual relations among dif-ferent organizations, and in which aspects the groups are of interest. Therefore, only the follo-wing framework has been provided for the cruise so far.
To begin with Ara-Moana remains in the French Polynesian territory. Traditional navigation and activities thus con-cerning are in focus. The subject will be taught by Polynesian and Northern European instructors. Also more general courses on subjects such as culture exchange, cultural history, philosophy and ecology will be held in connection with the preparation of a joint material about the project made by the participants. In the "every day life" emphasize will be put on having everyone participate on equal terms. Therefore, reparations, cooking, fishing, diving, etc., are a crucial part of the project.
Major activities with a basis outside Ara-Moana, so far include seminars arranged by Hiti Tau concerning cultural identity and the importance of traditions, and two fairly large cultural festivals arranged by Motu Haka. In both cases Ara-Moana will participate and take up a central part due to the concept of the project descri-bed above.
The cruise commences August 15th 1998 in Tahiti and ends December 15th same place. It is the aim to complete at least 4 fairly long sails without the use of technical aid. One route could be: Tahiti - Marquesas - the central Tuamotu atolls - Mangareva (one of the eastern Tuamotu atolls) - Tahiti. The final sailing list will, of course, be arranged together with the Polynesian navigator.
Just after New Year the hurricane season sets in in the area, and Ara-Moana must be sailed in safety. Exactly where will depend on the contacts the project makes in the course of the first cruise. In March, when the season is over, Ara-Moana returns to French Polynesia and will stay in one or two places, depending on the same prospective contacts. Here she will still function as a cultural forum, but with a more relaxed concrete con-tent.
In August it starts all over again, and this is how the project will run the first years in Polynesia. Later on, sailings further out in the Pacific are a possibility, and so is everyt-hing of interest to the concept of the project.
