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Rodolphe Tuko Harry WILLIAMS

Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2017 8:38 pm
by Anatol
Rodolphe Tuko Harry WILLIAMS (1920 - 1986). Originally from Tahiti, fisherman and captain of boats carrying coprah, "Rodo" Williams was an outstanding navigator, with a very detailed knowledge of the winds,currents, the geography of the different archipelagos of French Polynesia, in particular the Tuamotu islands. He drew on his knowledge techniques taught by ancient Polynesian navigators, which allowed him to vessels well beyond the seas, in identifying the most suitable maritime routes between Hawaii and Tahiti for example.He was highly respected, and became known when he entered the Hokule'a crew during his first coming to Tahiti in 1976. At nightfall, around 6:00 pm, as the Hawaiian vessel approached the Tuamotu archipelago,Rodo Williams had spotted two "ita'eta'e" (white terns) and advised south-east in spite of the darkness and the danger of meeting an atoll in the middle of the night.
They encountered an island during the night, the other two sailors on board (Mau Piailug and David Lewis)thought it was the island of Tupai at north of Bora Bora, Rodo knew from the route of the birds and the shade under the waves that it was the island of Mataiva, west of the Tuamotu. Rodo had the right answer... The arrival of the Hokulea in Tahiti was then triumphant and full of emotion for all the Polynesians...

FrenchPolynesia 2017;40f;SG?
Source:http://www.tahitiphilatelie.pf/details_ ... glangue=us

Re: Rodolphe Tuko Harry WILLIAMS

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2017 2:41 am
by aukepalmhof
De canoe depict on the stamp is the HOKULEā€™A the model I downloaded from
http://indigenousboats.blogspot.co.nz/2 ... kulea.html

Wikipedia gives the following on the canoe: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C5%8Dk%C5%ABle%CA%BBa

Aitutaki 1992 $1.75 sg 635 and 640, scott 467 and 472.