The Quest for Rapa
Nui: Hokule'a Closing the Circle
The
Quest: Using the knowledge and practices
passed down from the great Polynesian navigators, Hokule'a will embark
on a journey of great peril and discovery. Hokule'a will be navigated without
instruments by a team of Hawai'i's best navigators, headed by Nainoa Thompson.
They will guide the canoe by celestial bodies (sun, moon, planets, and
stars), ocean swells, and land-based sea birds -- wayfinding
(non-instrument navigation).
The Voyage:
For the last few days, the Hokule'a has been looking for landfall in the
Marquesas. According to GPS data, the canoe was just west of the island.
The crew estimated that they were east of the island. And, not seeing any
signs of land, they headed--further west. Since yesterday, however, the
crew has corrected its course and is now has the laborious job of tacking
into the prevailing winds. Seeing as we get lost at Ala Moana, we are amazed
that they even got near what is virtually a speck (130 x 190 miles) in
the vast Pacific. And astounded that they knew to change direction. According
to master navigator Nainoa Thompson, they are just doing what they are
supposed to do. While the Hokule'a is ahead of schedule, it will probably
take at least 4 days to reach the nearest island 190 miles to the east.
Follow their progress via daily reports at the Polynesian
Voyaging Society site.