Hikianalia Update | June 2, 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


jason_PattersonWritten by Jason Patterson

Time period: Sunrise

Speed: Average 5 knots. Low: 0, High: 10 knots

Direction: Nāleo Hoʻolua – ʻĀkau

Distance traveled along reference course: 58nm since sunset, 1,334nm total

Distance/ Direction from reference course: 22E – 15W = 8nm East of ʻĀkau line

Estimated position (Lat./Long.): 5º N

Wind direction/ strength: Lā Kona

Dominant swell direction/ height: Nāleo Malanai, the swell that saved us.

Clouds: 100 % sky coverage. Type: Nimbostratus.

Color of sky at sunrise/ sunset: Orange, pale yellow, blue

Night watch:

Stars used: None available the whole night

Other navigational clues: Jupiter and the Moon, thatʻs it.

Sun Dec./ House: 22º N ʻĀina Koʻolau

Moon Dec./ House: -17º Lā / ʻĀina Malanai border

Moon phase: Hoku

Notes: 6 hours of rain, 8pm-2am. Top speed 10 knots. After rain and wind dissipated, we shut down at 2am because we couldn’t see anything. First sighting of the moon at 4am at 16º+ altitude. Starting sailing again at 4:30am using the moon.

Time period: Noon (End of Jason Pattersonʻs 2nd 48-hour navigation watch)

Speed: 5 knots

Direction: ʻĀkau

Distance traveled along reference course: 30nm since sunrise, 1,364 total

Distance/ Direction from reference course: 8nm East of ʻĀkau line

Estimated position (Lat./Long.): 5º 30ʻ N

Wind direction/ strength: Noio Kona 6-8 knots

Dominant swell direction/ height: Nāleo Malanai 3-5ft.

Clouds: 60 % sky coverage. Type: Cumulus, cirrus, stratus, stratocumulus. The sky doesn’t look as ominous as it did yesterday, some bright blue patches, minor strength squalls.

Color of sky at sunrise/ sunset: Orange, pale yellow, blue

Other navigational clues: Wind

Sea life observed: Koʻaʻe ula

Sun Dec./ House: 22º N ʻĀina Koʻolau

Moon Dec./ House: -19º ʻĀina Malanai

Moon phase: Mahealani

Notes: A challenge does not begin to describe the last 24 hours. Wow, that was a test! I would really like to see Hokupaʻa.


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