The 1st Annual Canoe Launching was held at Wacholab, Maap, on the third day of the 56th Yap Day Celebrations, this March 02, 2026.
The Director of the Department of Health , Mr. Theo Thinnifel, welcomed all off-island guests, including the Vice President of the Federated States of Micronesia, His Excellency, Aren B. Palik along with the Second Lady of the Federated States of Micronesia Mrs.Adelita Abraham Palik, United States of America Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), Vincent Mut-Tracy and Admiral Joshua Lasky, Ambassador Jenny Grant from the Australian Embassy, Ambassador Nobuo Kagomiya from the Japan Embassy, and Chinese Deputy of Mission, Li Hu and Second Secretary Mei JunJie from the Chinese Embassy.
Mr. Thinnifel emphasized the importance of preserving Yapese culture and traditions, particularly the unique seafaring skills of canoe building and navigation that have allowed Yap and the islands of the Pacific to travel and trade across millions of square miles of ocean for more than a millennium. Traditionally, these have been passed down from generation to generation through remembered history, and it is very important that these skills and knowledge continue to be passed down for future generations to come.
In celebration, a vast feast featuring the ‘Tastes of Yap’ had been prepared and included local dishes such as local chicken, fresh fish, fruit bat “finihi” soup, chestnut with copra, sugar cane and many more local delicacies, to be enjoyed by visitors and guests.
This was followed by the main event, later in the afternoon, when the community of Maap launched their newly-built traditional sailing canoe in the water for the first time, accompanied by traditional dances and ceremony.
Visitors were also invited to experience traditional outrigger canoe sailing on short rides across the lagoon to the fringing coral reef and back to shore.
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