Camakau

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Camakau (Fijian pronunciation: [ða ma kau], sometimes spelled thamakau) are a traditional watercraft of Fiji. Part of the broader Austronesian tradition, they are similar to catamarans, outrigger canoes, or smaller versions of the drua, but are larger than a takia.^[1] These vessels were built primarily for the purposes of travelling between islands and for trade.^[2] These canoes are single hulled, with an outrigger and a cama, a float, with both ends of the hull being symmetrical.^[3] They were very large, capable of travelling open ocean, and have been recorded as being up to 70 ft in length.

Not until Suva did we meet islanders who recognized Celerity's lineage. "Like Fiji canoe! Very fast! Very good!" We were able to judge the accuracy of this pierhead analysis by chasing an outrigger thamakau across the blustery Viti Levu lagoon. In those minutes we closed a gap of centuries. Progenitor and descendant... the sennit-lashed proa with her crab-claw sail matched the trimaran's space-age profile and epoxy fastenings in speed—and sophistication. In the crossing of our wakes an era came full circle.

— Randy Thomas (1984)^[4]