The vaka is the main hull of a multihull vessel.
The term vaka comes from the pronunciation of the word waka and is derived from Polynesian, Malay and Micronesian languages for a 'canoe', 'ship' or 'boat.'
Other parts of a traditional vaka can include the aka and ama (outrigger).
A proa consists of a vaka, the main canoe-like hull; an ama, the outrigger; and akas, the poles connecting the ama to the vaka. The trimaran uses the same terminology, with a center vaka and amas and akas on each side.