The Cook Islands voyaging canoe Marumaru Atua arrived at Sand Island, Hawaii, on Saturday.

The 16-person crew travelled 3200 miles at sea, completing a 22-day journey from Rarotonga to Hawaii.

Vaka Marumaru Atua is in Hawaii for the 13^th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture to be held in Honolulu from June 6-16.

Upon their arrival, the Vaka Marumaru Atua crew was received by the host country representatives as well as Cook Islanders residing in Hawaii.

Cook Islands master navigator and captain Peia Patai told HawaiiNewsNow: “It’s always been a big thing to celebrate our culture. This is the main part of our traditions, and our culture is our canoe.”

Cook Islands community member Charlie Numanga said: “With the festival happening, you can say that the information and knowledge then continues to broaden for each and everybody around the world to know who are we and why are we so proud of who we are and what country we come from.”

The vaka will depart Hawaii on June 17 for her voyage back home.