Making Connections through Dieter Paulmann
photo by John Oshima
Connect the dots
It seems just like yesterday, our fleet of va’a arrived on the shores of Taipivai, a beautiful valley on the south east end of the island of Nuku Hiva.
Herman Mellville did the same 160 years ago and wrote about his stay on the biggest island of the Marquesas archipelago. His novel “Typee” (named after the valley) became a best seller, the first before his most important work “Moby Dick” considered as one of the greatest literary works of all time. But of what importance does the description of a foreigner’s visit to a pacific island, and especially a white sperm whale, have to do with this blog?
Dieter Paulmann.
There aren’t enough words to describe this man, benefactor and visionary of the voyage Te Mana O Te Moana. We could start by saying that he is tall, has an accent when he speaks and has a wardrobe of mainly white.
But what can’t be described in simple words is his passion for the sea and especially its living creatures.
He is undoubtedly a white man discovering the unscathed beauty of the Pacific Islands, and he is also one of a few that has been in direct contact with a white sperm whale, but unlike the story “Moby Dick” his encounter with one of the ocean’s grandest and mysterious creatures was a positive one that changed his life. One could say that the encounter was a spiritual one which inspired him to take action through the establishment of the Okeanos Foundation.
For a very long time he was to many of us (crew members of the Pacific Voyagers fleet) somewhat of a mystery just like the white whale in Moby Dick.
We would be in awe of Dieter’s generosity and sometimes skeptical of his intentions.
But since the beginning of the voyage which started early April, we were finally treated to Dieter Paulmann. At every venue, and at every ceremony, time spent with him, he shared a little about himself and especially his experience with the sea and a white sperm whale that changed his life. We’ve heard the story and we will continue to hear the story as our voyage will soon continue on to Hawaii, and with every speech we seem to grow closer to him.
We can say that he has successfully integrated the group, sharing his passion, his concerns with us, like a father does with his children, but what separates him from other benefactors is that he listens.
He listened to the stories of our ancestors told by archeologists, ethnologues, he listened to community leaders, cultural practitioners and crew members. He listens and does something about it. Whether it is to give support to local projects, or promising the building of a va’a for the people of the Marquesas or offering the training of two young people from Nuku Hiva to sail on the va’a, or the request of captains to stay a little bit longer to give more rest for crew members, he listens and does something.
The heart and soul of the va’a is its crew members. And like many crew members we are seeking knowledge from our ancestors who have sailed to settle the islands of the Pacific Ocean. Te Mana O Te Moana, the spirit of the sea, this is the title given to this voyage of Va’a across the vast Pacific Ocean – Moana a Hiva.
And with the seven va’a several messages are carried: that of the protection of marine wildlife, awareness of ocean acidification, climate change, ocean noise and promotion of pacific island customs and traditions.
But there lies an even deeper message that goes hand in hand with the title. A spiritual message that ultimately brings every one together.
Today at our departure ceremony, the whole village of Taiohae came out to say good bye to us, the fleet of seven va’a. We actually leave on Saturday morning but the event was moving as a downpour blessed the gathering before and after.
It was the first time that we all seemed even more united, as we all wore red t-shirts the township had given us.
It was the first time it seemed with all our differences we were becoming one.
It was the first time it seemed we could understand each other, that was the feeling, that was the spirit of today’s ceremony.
The gathering of pacific island people has been established through politics, sports and arts for many years. But Te Mana O Te Moana is the voyage of pacific island people on the va’a, a communication tool which has established links in the past and today has inspired us, people of all ages, from different walks of life to make a difference in our lives. Isn’t that the spirit? A spiritual encounter which leads to life changing actions. Dieter Paulmann has led the way and has given our people of the Moana A Hiva a va’a, a chance to learn about ourselves and each other, to learn about the environment that surrounds us, to learn about our ancestral values, to learn that our actions affect future generations.
The Va’a and its voyage across the sea visiting different islands is the perfect backdrop for a film that talks about adventure and the ocean. And what sometimes makes a film successful is the unpredictability of the plot. What started as an adventurous experience became a cultural one and today as revealed to all of us, a spiritual one. Of course, our ancestors knew that all along. Just one look at every sign, legend, story, person and you can just see the dots connecting.
Seven va’a had left the island of Fakarava only to return a couple of weeks ago, the seven va’a arrive in Taipivai, the same valley author Herman Mellville wrote a novel which led to another story about a whale that a wealthy man encountered which changed his life who in turn was inspired to build seven va’a to make a film about. The spirituality of this voyage will be a topic of much discussion, for Faafaite this voyage between Tahiti and Hawaii is of utmost significance as it will be the first time in a very long time since a voyaging va’a from Tahiti has set sail for Hawaii, Fenua Vaihi. As all of our va’a will be soon sailing for the unknown just like our ancestors did we hope to arrive safely and in turn… connect the dots.
Johann Hironui Bouit
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