The premier va’a race of the season is set to begin next Wednesday in Huahine. However, the ongoing social movements, at Air Tahiti and among the dockworkers, threaten inter-island transport of va’a canoes, crews, equipment, and the overall logistics. As a result, the organizing committee chaired by Tutu Maamaatuaiahutapu cannot guarantee that the flagship event of the va’a season will take place under its usual conditions. A decision on whether to maintain, adapt, or postpone the race must be announced before this Thursday at 3:00 PM.
“To date, the committee is not in a position to guarantee the event will unfold under normal conditions,” writes Elise “Tutu” Maamaatuaiahutapu. The president of the Hawaiki Nui Va’a organizing committee had already warned, Tuesday morning, that the social situation was a matter of concern for the organizers. And the concern apparently has grown: with the continued dockers’ strike at the autonomous port and especially the failure of negotiations reported to Somstat, and likely at Air Tahiti Nui, the transport of the va’a and of the teams, the delivery of equipment, and the mobilization of the outfits are all at risk.
“We are examining all possible solutions to preserve the holding of this major event, but the safety of the rowers, the escorts and the public remains the absolute priority,” the committee specifies. The organizers, pressed by many clubs and partners who are worried, promise information “at every step.” They also indicate on their Facebook page that they are in discussions with the strikers and with the presidency, notably with former docker Mahinui Temarii. “We do not want to break the strike,” the collective says. “We simply want to safeguard the timelines for our rowers and allow the Hawaiki Nui to live!” The committee explains that a final decision “concerning the maintenance, the adaptation or the postponement of the edition will be communicated” no later than this Thursday, October 22 at 3:00 PM.
