The Maritime Traditions Restoration Movement

In the mid-20th century a movement began to protect the maritime traditions of Oceanic peoples. Long lost and forgotten information on boat design and construction and aspects of maritime tradition in Polynesian and Micronesian cultures was brought to light through the work of anthropologists and historical researchers. Carolinian Master Navigator Mau Piailug broke tradition and openly shared secret knowledge on the Micronesian art of navigation. In 1975, Hawaiians built Hokulea, a double-hulled voyaging canoe based on an ancient Polynesian design, and made a successful first voyage to Tahiti accompanied by Mau Piailug who taught the Hawaiians the art of open ocean navigation.

Inspired and encouraged by the Hawaiian success, interest in reviving the Chamorro maritime tradition began to grow and plans were made to build a Chamorro proa on Guahan. On Saipan, the non-profit Sakman Chamorro, Inc. was formed with the goal of building a Chamorro proa based on the 1742 Anson drawing. Although Sakman Chamorro, Inc. was dissolved before a proa was built, the research and funds raised were transferred to the San Diego based non-profit organization Che'lu, Inc. and the work to build the Anson proa continued.

The Guahan-based cultural organization TASI completed the 33 foot proa Saina, a Carolinian-style proa with design features from the Anson drawing, in 2008. In San Diego, California, Che'lu, Inc. completed 47 foot sakman Che'lu in 2011. Che'lu's design was based entirely on the Anson drawing. Both proas have been sailed successfully. Saina completed a round trip open-ocean journey from Guahan to Luta. Che'lu has been sailed in San Diego harbor where it reached the speed of 15 knots using an under-sized sail and her crew continues to practice in preparation for a journey from San Diego to Guahan.

The construction of sakman Che'lu marks the successful completion of the first step in the planned revival of the Chamorro sailing tradition - the building of the first genuine Chamorro Flying Proa. The next and last step, and the goal of the 500 Sails project, is to re-establish the tradition of building and sailing of traditional Chamorro and Carolinian proas throughout the Mariana Islands.