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Polynesian pride: Three-day canoe voyage in mid-Pacific

Crew members train for the Hoki Mai challenge, a voyage — covering almost 500 kilometers, or about 300 miles across a stretch of the Pacific Ocean, in Rapa Nui, a territory that is part of Chile and is better known as Easter Island, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022. During the voyage, rowing will be done in relays: groups of six will row for about four hours, then be replaced by the next shift. Those who need to rest will do so in a Chilean navy ship escorting the canoe. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Crew members prepare for a training session for the Hoki Mai challenge, a canoe voyage — covering almost 500 kilometers, or about 300 miles across a stretch of the Pacific Ocean, in Rapa Nui, a territory that is part of Chile and is better known as Easter Island, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022. Hoki Mai pursues three goals. The first is to honor canoeing in Polynesia, which has been practiced for centuries. The second is related to the environment. The third purpose relates to gender equality. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Rapanui Konturi Atan, a 36-year-old historian, right, receives instructions from Gilles Bordes, at the start of a training session for the Hoki Mai challenge, a canoe voyage — covering almost 500 kilometers, or about 300 miles across a stretch of the Pacific Ocean, in Rapa Nui, a territory that is part of Chile and is better known as Easter Island, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022. Bordes, coordinator of Hoki Mai, moved to Rapa Nui earlier this year, but he has lived in Polynesia for three decades, devoting much of his time to rowing. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Rapanuis crew members carry their canoe during a training session for the Hoki Mai challenge, a voyage — covering almost 500 kilometers, or about 300 miles across a stretch of the Pacific Ocean, in Rapa Nui, a territory that is part of Chile and is better known as Easter Island, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022. The athletes have been training six days a week since mid-September, preparing for a voyage that will take them from Rapa Nui to Motu Motiro Hiva. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Rapanui Konturi Atan, a 36-year-old historian, right, arrives for a training session for the Hoki Mai challenge, a canoe voyage — covering almost 500 kilometers, or about 300 miles across a stretch of the Pacific Ocean, in Rapa Nui, Chile, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022. The Hoki Mai challenge starts Dec. 3, in Rapa Nui, a territory in the Pacific that is part of Chile and is better known as Easter Island. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Rapanui Konturi Atan, a 36-year-old historian, right, drives his motorbike to a training session for the Hoki Mai challenge, a canoe voyage — covering almost 500 kilometers, or about 300 miles across a stretch of the Pacific Ocean, in Rapa Nui, a territory in the Pacific that is part of Chile and is better known as Easter Island, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022. Atan joined the Hoki Mai crew who have been training since mid-September, preparing for a three-day voyage that will take them from Rapa Nui to Motu Motiro Hiva. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Rapanui Konturi Atan, a 36-year-old historian, left, prepares to head out for a training session for the Hoki Mai challenge, a canoe voyage — covering almost 500 kilometers, or about 300 miles across a stretch of the Pacific Ocean, in Rapa Nui, Chile, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022. The challenge, which starts Dec. 3 in Rapa Nui, a territory in the Pacific that is part of Chile and is better known as Easter Island, consists of a canoe voyage by nine Rapanuis, two Chileans and one Hawaiian seeking to celebrate the union of the islands of Polynesia. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Crew members train for the Hoki Mai challenge, a voyage that covers almost 500 kilometers, or about 300 miles across a stretch of the Pacific Ocean, in Rapa Nui, a territory that is part of Chile and is better known as Easter Island, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022. The canoe voyage of 12 crew members, nine Rapanuis, two Chileans and one Hawaiian, seeks to raise awareness about the importance of women in the world, urge protection of the environment, and celebrate the union of the islands of Polynesia. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Polynesian pride: Three-day canoe voyage in mid-Pacific