Vā o Manogi (ˈvaː o ˈma.noɡi)
"They say that when you sail through the strait you smell whatever it is you like best." - Sailor lore
The Vā o Manogi is the strait that separates the large islands of Motu and Atu Motu. The name is a Gagana phrase that translates as "The Strait of Good Smells", referring to a the legend of how the great hero Nafanua mui Lemolele made the strait safe for their people to use.
When the Mu'o'a first tried to enter the strait, they were attacked by the gigantic crab Tamatau'atu, who could split a boat in half, and would swallow people whole. Tamatau'atu would also attack anyone on the shores of the Vā o Manogi, emerging from the water to wreak havoc and devour anyone they could capture. Nafanua mui Lemolele desired greatly to explore the strait and also to protect their people from Tamatau'atu. They sought counsel from Levi'aku the great Aku of the seas around Motu, to whom Nafanua mui Lemolele was bound. Levi'aku told Nafanua that no weapons could pierce the shell of Tamatau'atu, but that the monstrous crab's appetite was their greatest weakness. Nafanua was to prepare an enormous feast of all sorts of foods, especially many platters of roasted meat, and have them placed upon the shores of the Vā o Manogi. Once there, Nafanua was to lie down surrounded by the food and armed with a dozen long knives, while their companions used palm leaves to waft the scents of the meal over the water.
It was not long before Tamatau'atu emerged to gorge themselves upon the banquet. When the monster reached Nafanua, the hero allowed themself to be swallowed whole, along with the dozen knives, without any struggle. But Only once Nafanua was inside Tamatau'atu did they strike, using the knives to slash and cut the great crab from inside its inpentrable carapace.
From the cliffs overlooking the beach, Nafanua's companions watched as the monster staggered and lurched along the shore, unable to combat the enemy inside their stomach. When Tamatau'atu finally collapsed, they rushed down to the shore and pried open the carapace to release Nafanua. The hero emerged bloodied and burned, but alive, and they proceeded to dismember and devour the monstrous Tamatau'atu. According to the legend, the crab's carapace was somehow broken apart and made into shields that could withstand any blow, and many later heroes of the Mu'o'a were said to carry a crab-shell shield. After the battle, Nafanua named the strait Vā o Manogi, for the many good smells of the feast and how they lured the monster to its doom.
Geography
Vā o Manogi is a long strait with several islands in it. It is only fifteen miles wide at the narrowest point, but can be nearly seventy miles across at others. The largest island in the strait is Rangitoto.
The strait is considered by many to be one of the most dangerous waterways in the Great Ring. It has remarkably strong tidal flows, which can lead to unpredictable conditions and sweep vessels away without warning. Most crossings are done at the narrowest point of the strait, and few vessels attempt to navigate from one end to the other.
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