56th Yap Day Celebration: Day 3 1st Annual Canoe Launching Festival

Monday, March 2, 2026 /// DYCA PIO

Yap FM - In spirit of the Yap Day Celebration, the 1st Annual Canoe Launching that’s happening right in Wacholab Maap, with various such as the “Taste of Yap” that the general public are welcomed to taste prepared local dishes such as local chicken, local bat soup, chestnut with copra, sugar cane and many more local delicacies.

There also will be free canoe rides along with canoe tours that will be given by residents from the Municipality of Maap.

At this time, on behalf of our yap state government, the Director of the Department of Health , Mr. Theo Thinnifel gave his opening remarks , welcoming all off-island guests, including the Vice President of the Federated States of Micronesia, His Excellency, Aren B. Palik along with the Second Lady of the Federated States of Micronesia Mrs.Adelita Abraham Palik, United States of America, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Vincent Mut-Tracy along with Admiral Joshua Lasky, Ambassador Jenny Grant from the Australian Embassy, Ambassador Nobuo Kagomiya from the Japan Embassy, and Chinese Deputy of Mission, Li Hu and Second Secretary Mei JunJie from the Chinese Embassy and all who traveled a long way to witness this momentous occasion. Mr. Thinnifel also mentioned in his speech the importance of this celebration and the importance of preserving our culture and traditions so that it can be passed down from future generation to generation.

Afterwards, the Master of Ceremony, Mr. John W. Fillmed thanked Mr. Thinnifel for his heartfelt speech, followed by the introduction of the live band performed by Jimmy and Palu.

Also, for the main event, later in the afternoon, the community of Maap will be launching their newly crafted traditional canoe in the water for the first time for all to witness.

Stay tuned for more updates on all our social media platforms, along with our yap state website, our billboard in the Colonia Area, and our radio.