Will the Hawaiki Nui Va’a 2026 take place? With only a few days left before the start of the famous va’a race, uncertainty is now total. Gathered this Thursday, October 22, the organizing committee reviewed the consequences of the ongoing social movements on the smooth running of the competition. And the assessment is worrying: without an improvement in the situation by Saturday morning, the 33rd edition will be canceled.
“The committee met and we have just finalized our decision. We studied several parameters, notably safety, with regard to our taote healers, our nurses, our emergency responders… who are very important in the organization”, explains Elise, known as Tutu Apuarii Maamaatuaiahutapu, president of the organizing committee.
The strikes affecting the Centre Hospitalier de la Polynésie française (CHPF) and the Direction of Health indeed raise concerns about the medical care for participants. The president is particularly firm on this point: “What I fear is safety on the water. We cannot afford to disregard it.”
Air Tahiti and Somstat at the heart of the concerns
But the difficulties are not limited to the health sector. Social movements at Air Tahiti and at Somstat, the company responsible among other things for refueling aircraft, also threaten the travel arrangements necessary for the race to go ahead.
“What is blocking at the moment is Air Tahiti. In terms of fuel with Somstat… So I don’t think they will be able to hold. Flights will be canceled subsequently,” fears the president.
The organizing committee has therefore set an ultimatum for Saturday, October 24, at 9 a.m.: “We will wait until Saturday 9 a.m., before Tahiti Nui leaves. It should be noted that moving this boat costs us a great deal. Saturday will be the final decision. We are trying to arrange everyone, to smooth things over… But Saturday is the last deadline.”, she insists.
The Hawaiki Nui Va’a taken “hostage”
Beyond the sporting aspect, an entire economic fabric could suffer from a cancellation. Lodging, dining, transport, shops and small local activities: the Hawaiki Nui Va’a also represents a major appointment for the Leeward Islands.
“What I deeply regret is that one cannot see everything behind this competition, all these people who participate, the municipalities that contributed both humanly and financially, the partners, the clubs that have already invested and paid for all their tickets, their accommodations, the meals… not to mention all the hands-on workers who are on Huahine up to Bora Bora. The roadside sales… It is the economy of the Raromatai. It is really unfortunate,” laments Elise Maamaatuaiahutapu.
The president does not hide her bitterness about the timing of the social movements either. “They should have gone on strike after the Hawaiki Nui Va’a, and not take the Hawaiki Nui Va’a hostage,” she estimates.
In its statement, the organizing committee says it acknowledges the disappointment that this situation could provoke among clubs, rowers, volunteers, partners and the public.
