Model TePuke sailing canoe from Taumako

3D Model

This is a model (nga wauwau) of a TePuke, crafted by the late Abraham Maone of Taumako, Solomon Islands. It was photographed by Dr. Marianne “Mimi” George in Kauaʻi, Hawaii. This model is shared for educational purposes only. All copyrights and intellectual property are reserved by the creators of this canoe.

It is important to note that models are not built to the same proportions as the full-size canoes. This vessel is also called Tepuke, Tepukei, Te Puki, or sometimes Puki.

“The largest Vaka o Lata is what Taumakoans call Te Puke. The smaller types are called Te Alo … The late chief Te Aliki Koloso Kaveia, who built and sailed both types of Vaka o Lata, said, “Te Puke are like trucks”, i.e., they can carry heavy loads and at least 9 to 12 people. … The minimum length of a Te Puke is six nga loha, which is roughly 9.5 to 11.5 m.” - “Te Laa o Lata: Gauging Performance of a Polynesian sail.” George, December 2017. Journal of the Polynesian Society. 126:4 377-415. https://www.vaka.org/publications