METUA Mitchell is sailing with a mission – to protect the ocean he calls home and to keep the tradition of Pacific navigation alive.
The 29-year-old Cook Islander joins a diverse crew on a historic voyage on the Uto Ni Yalo, hoping to deliver the Message of hope to the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in the Solomon Islands.
Metua’s narrative becomes a rallying call for Pacific youth to honour their heritage and safeguard the waters that sustain their communities.
Steady with conviction, he said: “I live 90% my life in the water.
“I work in the water, and I live by the water, so I’m a fisherman myself, so I’m always diving and fishing and basically feeding from the ocean.”
For Metua, the voyage is more than a journey, it’s a statement. “I believe being part of this voyage is a powerful message to be able to help send a message to protect our ocean.” Leaving home is never easy, but Metua’s family stands firmly behind him.
“My family is very excited for me. They’re definitely very proud of me. But the whole goal is to make it back safely,” he said.
Metua hopes his journey will inspire others, especially the next generation. “I hope that they can also pass down the message from us, and hopefully, this becomes a generational responsibility in protecting our ocean.”
The voyage, he believes, is not just about navigation, but about unity.
“I really love the fact that the special part about the voyage is that people from different countries, it just brings our knowledge, our skills and the people closer together through voyaging.
“Every wave crossed is a step toward a future where tradition and environmental stewardship sail side by side,” he said.