Aboard the Hokule’a

The Hokule’a has been making headlines worldwide as the crew used ancient wayfinding to navigate their way around the world. Before the resurgence of wayfinding, many people thought there was no way Hawaiians could have intentionally sailed to Hawaii from Tahiti. It must have been an accident. But no, modern wayfinders aboard the Hokule’a proved in 1976—it’s not only possible, they did it! They sailed to Tahiti from Hawaii using only traditional navigational methods, no modern instruments. Amazing!

The boat is small for a craft on the open ocean. There’s no bathroom (need to go? Clip into the harness and swing over the side!), no fancy kitchen. One dedicated fisherman per voyage had a line in the water at all times to avoid using the back up food unless necessary. A conch shell horn made the journey. Bunks were simple mats in the side hold.

It was pretty incredible. No surprise…Isaac and Eloise were ready to set sail!

Thanks, Amber, for telling us about it! Hokule’a is now on her way to Maui.