Summary, Thurs., June 17, 1999 (11:11 a.m.):Hokule'a is on course, about 200 miles out of Hilo. Both crews (Hokulea and Kamahele) are settling into watch routines and making adjustments to life at sea. Tradewinds at 10-25 knots, sloppy seas, occassional squalls. [Errata from June 15,1999 report: Add to the crew of Kama Hele: Sean McKeever].

Daily Report from Tai Crouch aboard the Escort Boat "Kama Hele"

Position (Navigator's Estimate): 17.32 N; 12 mi. E of ref.line

Heading: manu malanai (SE)

Wind: 10-25 knots, from 'aina ko'olau (ENE)

Strategy: maintain manu malanai (SE)

Seas: unsettled, sloppy

Swells:6-8 ft. from 'aina malanai (ESE), 3-4 'aina ko'olau (ENE), 1-2 noio malanai (SE by E)

Weather: heavy clouds at times; scattered strato-cumulus; squalls

Prediction: weather will hold

Navigation Clues: sun, moon, Venus, Mars

Latitude stars: Hokupa'a; S. cross.

Fishing Report from Hokule'a: lost two

Fishing Report from Kamahele: One 20 lb. mahimahi eaten at lunch

Distance from Hilo: approx.180 miles

Average speed:5.4 knots

Bird sightings: manu o ku (white tern), koa'e (tropic bird)