A canoe is made from a pinipini (Callophyllum? species) tree. The canoe is cut out and then shaped. It must be straight and symmetrical. Many men who are raised away from Sikaiana cannot make a canoe. This canoe is a single hull canoe, manaui. In former times, Sikaiana made outrigger canoes (vaka hai ama). But none were made during my stays 1980-1987. heard that an outrigger was made after I left. It is important that the canoe be balanced and straight. Usually, young men need an older man to advise them for the their first canoes. A man told me that after his first couple canoes, he could visualize it to make one. The last few pictures show a man caulking a canoe that has a split. He brought the caulking material from Honiara, although traditionally there were local products that were used.
In 2020, I learned that the manaui is no longer made. All canoes are manufactured of fiberglass and brought to Sikaiana.
