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.

1