"A Waka Tou'ua of the Marquesas Islands"
Collection: Hawai'i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
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Bird symbolism is seen in the profile of this canoe. Lacking abundant lagoons and plagued by periods of drought, the Marquesas spawned many voyages in search of new lands. Hawai'i and Easter Island may have been first discovered by voyagers from the Marquesas. One account of a voyage of exile was heard in the early 19th century by Captain David Porter of the U. S. Navy:

"the grandfather of Gattanewa sailed with four large canoes in search of land, taking with him a large stock of provisions and water, together with a quantity of hogs, poultry, and young plants. He was accompanied by several families, and has never been heard of since he sailed."

Page 28, Voyagers