Painting by  John LaFarge  showing girls carrying a va'a, Samoa, (1891 painting). From Bangka to Wa’a, How the Word for “Boat” Evolved in Oceania The theory of “Out of Taiwan” is proven by the evidences of linguistics, archaeology, genetics and ethnology.  Around 5,000 years ago, before people had made the decision to depart Taiwan and to explore the vast expanse of Pacific Ocean, they might already have had the skills of sea navigation, that included the techniques and the vessels.  From the goods they put on the board, we can see that the navigation was well-planned and prepared. We can see from there in AD 900 the ancestors of  Hawaiian brought 24 useful plants on their boat to the new frontiers to which they arrived. ( Canoe Plant List ) The vessels they used might be efficient enough for a long distance navigation and be big enough to hold sufficient supplies and passengers.  Such a vessel was called “Bangka” in Taiwan and neig...