Hikianalia Update | June 1, 2015

The Polynesian voyaging canoe Hikianalia is on a 2,400 mile journey from Aotearoa to Hawaiʻi. Crewmembers will be sending frequent updates so that educators and students can track her progress in conjunction with the Worldwide Voyage Tracking Map. 

Written by Jason Patterson

Time period: Sunrise
Speed: 3 knots
Direction: ʻĀkau
Distance traveled along reference course: 32 nautical miles (nm) since sunset, 1,214 nm total
Distance/ Direction from reference course: 15nm East of ʻĀkau line
Estimated position (Lat./Long.): 3º10ʻ North
Wind direction/ strength: Noio Malanai 6-8 knots
Dominant swell direction/ height: Noio Malanai 3-4 ft.
Other swells: Nāleo Malanai
Clouds: 100-150% sky coverage. Type: Cumulus, stratus, cirrus, stratocumulus.
Color of sky at sunrise/ sunset: Grey, pale yellow. Didn’t see the sun until it was 10º above the horizon
Night watch:
Stars used: Humus, Piraʻetea, the Pointers, Pimoe, and Hōkūleʻa, only the real bright ones.
Other navigational clues: Jupiter, Moon
Sun Dec./ House: 22ºN ʻĀina Koʻolau
Moon Dec./ House: -15º Lā Malanai
Moon phase: Akua
Notes: Was constantly searching for stars, the moon and planets, and would pretty much only have one thing to use at a time. For most of the night couldn’t really see anything because the sky was just socked in. I was worried this was going to be an issue when it came to telling time to switch the watches, but gratefully Kamala was gracious enough to open up the sky for a bit so that I could see what I needed to, when I needed to, only for as long as was needed to call the changes. Really glad the watches didn’t have to suffer anymore than they were required to. Three dark grey squalls threatened us, but never produced any rain or strong winds. We kept changing tactics and tacks to avoid them and stay safe. The downhill sailing with light wind was difficult to keep the sails happy and hold our desired course line. Last night was a challenge to say the least.

Time period: Sunset
Speed: Average 5 knots
Direction: Averages out to ʻĀkau
Distance traveled along reference course: 62 nautical miles (nm) since sunrise, 1,276 nm total
Distance/ Direction from reference course: Additional 7 nm East of ʻĀkau line for a total of 22 nm
Estimated position (Lat./Long.): 4º North
Wind direction/ strength: Began at Nāleo Malanai 8-10 knots, ended Komohana-ish 15-18 knots during the squall and decreasing to below 8 knots out of Lā Kona
Dominant swell direction/ height: Nāleo Malanai 4-6 ft
Other swells: Nāleo Koʻolau, Lā Kona, Noio Malanai
Clouds: 95% sky coverage. Type: Cumulus, stratus, cirrus, cumulonimbus. We had everything.
Color of sky at sunrise/ sunset: We couldn’t see the sunset or the moon rise, again. Didn’t see the sun from 2pm to “sunset.” Pale orange in a few spots, followed by a deep pink further to the North and East of the sun. Natural grey.
Other navigational clues: Clearer windows in the sky far off on the horizon, just a marker to help hold course.
Sea life observed: Red footed Boobies
Sun Dec./ House: 22º North ʻĀina Hoʻolua
Moon Dec./ House: -17º S Lā / ʻĀina Malanai border
Moon phase: Hoku
Notes: If you know the swell you’re never lost. It can not be easy for you to grow and growth is never easy. I would have paid big money to be able to wipe some of the clouds from the sky just to see the moonrise and the sunset.

Please help keep us sailing for future generations. All contributions make a difference for our voyage. Mahalo nui loa!