The O Tahiti Nui Freedom project, initiated by Hiria Ottino, is an outrigger sailing canoe built for an expedition in which she reversed the path of Polynesian expansion through the South Pacific in 2010.
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Construction
The design of the O Tahiti Nui Freedom was inspired by a historical plan drawn in Tahiti by Admiral Paris around 1820 (standard plank of wood and stitch construction). The design was then reviewed and modernized by a group of naval architects in order to meet the standards of modern safety while respecting the line and form of Paris' 1820 plan. This modified design was then sent to all of the intended ports of call to assure compliance with local standards.
The expedition
Beginning in July 2010 through November 2010 (123 days in all), the canoe retraced the path of Polynesian expansion, from east to west, starting at Tahiti, through the Pacific islands towards China, the country of origin. The important settlement areas thus became the stopovers on the return voyage: Tahiti, Avarua, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Philippines and finally, China (Guangzhou, then Fujian).