Today's Questions and Answers

Mahalo everyone for your very thoughtful questions. Please, keep them coming.

What do you do when the ocean currents are very strong?
Open ocean currents in the central Pacific are a constant occurrence.  Fortunately, voyagers can calculate this into their navigation.  By studying data collected over the years on ocean currents, a pattern emerges.  Usually, in the Pacific, currents track across the equator from east to west at roughly two knots. This average can then be plotted into the navigator’s course line, setting the canoe two miles to the west every hour you sail.

If the weather is bad and there is a storm how do you navigate? 
During the day, the navigator uses the sun to navigate primarily.  When it’s too cloudy, then ocean swells become your temporary aide for direction.  At night, with nothing in the sky and no way to see the swells, the navigator “feels” the motion of the swells hitting the hulls.  This is the most difficult navigation.
 
What moon phases did you see?
As we were gone for nearly a full month, we saw just about all of the moon phases. We left on March 10, when the moon was full (Akua). As we sailed, the moon kept decreasing (ho‘ēmi) through the many phases until it reached  Hilo (the new moon) as we were sailing back home. The moon grew bigger (ho‘onui) and when we returned on it was a Huna moon on its way to becoming full again. The site Instant Hawai‘i has a full listing of the Hawaiian moon phases.

The keiki of Kawaiaha‘o School shared with an oli or chant with names of the Hawaiian moon phases. Knowing the phases of the moon is an important part of sustainable living for Native Hawaiians. The Department of Land and Natural Resources published an article on how Native Hawaiians used their knowledge of the moon phases.

What do you guys do for fun during the day besides sailing?
We find all kinds of ways to have fun such as telling jokes (over and over again), playing ‘ukulele and singing, practicing tying of sailing knots, making simple snacks, and sharing recipes of dishes we can’t make on the canoe or wish we could. Some of us read books, write in our journals, and take a lot of pictures to share with our families and friends back home.
Photo: Russell Amimoto 

When you’re navigating, how do you know that you’re navigating the right way?
Certain stars can “verify” your latitude, namely the north star, Hokupa‘a.  But, you need to be able to see it.
 
How do you know when you are close to a reef at night? 
You cannot.  During the day, it’s hard to see a reef just below the surface, so at night it’s impossible.  Your only clue would be hearing the surf crashing on the reef.  But if there are no waves to make noise, then you could be doomed. If you think you’re heading close to a reef, which means you’re getting close to land, you need to shut down your sails at night so that you don’t risk running into the reef. And, we keep in close contact with our escort vessel so that lives are not at risk.
 
What does it feel like to be apart of something that has been around for 34 years? 
It is a surreal feeling being part of the ‘ohana wa‘a, which has been in existence for 2,000 years. It gives people of today an opportunity to see who our ancestors were, and a glimpse into who we will become.