Hometown
Hanga Roa, Rapa Nui
Voyage(s)
Moananuiākea Voyage – Leg 8: San Francisco to Ventura
Bio
Matariki is a carpenter and traditional Rapa Nui carver and artist. He first sailed on Hōkūleʻa in Hawaiʻi in 2018. He says “Hokuleʻa connects us to our ancestors - all ancestors of Maohi people. It brings all of Polynesia together and creates healthy communities who are confident in who we are.”
Through this voyage, Matariki hopes “to see Maohi and Indigenous people joining together. I want to share the great accomplishments of Rapa Nui and all Polynesian people with the world. I want to keep building connections and bridges to the island nations, as one Maohi people. I want to represent Rapa Nui well, and learn so that I can help spread this knowledge.” And on an even more personal level, he wants “to experience what my ancestors experienced. I want to be a part of ʻohana waʻa as a crew member helping to keep this legacy alive. I want to be with the atua and ancestors. I want to practice my culture and my heritage.”
When Matariki is out at sea for a stretch of time, he says he misses fresh fruit and vegetables. And when heʻs back on land in his everyday life, he simply misses “being on the ocean.”
Through this voyage, Matariki hopes “to see Maohi and Indigenous people joining together. I want to share the great accomplishments of Rapa Nui and all Polynesian people with the world. I want to keep building connections and bridges to the island nations, as one Maohi people. I want to represent Rapa Nui well, and learn so that I can help spread this knowledge.” And on an even more personal level, he wants “to experience what my ancestors experienced. I want to be a part of ʻohana waʻa as a crew member helping to keep this legacy alive. I want to be with the atua and ancestors. I want to practice my culture and my heritage.”
When Matariki is out at sea for a stretch of time, he says he misses fresh fruit and vegetables. And when heʻs back on land in his everyday life, he simply misses “being on the ocean.”