Hiva Oa to Mangareva

Report on 08/29/99, A.M.

Prepared by:Kamaki Worthington on Kamahele.

At sunset, Mangareva was sighted off the starboard bow of Hokule'a by the three navigators--Cathrine Fuller, Moana Doi, and Alden Kim.

Hokule'a then began towing to Mangareva as it was directly into the wind. Momentarily, (8:08 a.m. HST on August 29), Hokule'a and Kamahele will dock at Rikitea village on Mangareva. As of 7:15 a.m. HST the two vessels were piloted into the pass of the atoll by a fishing boat.

Mangareva is one of 5 islands, around a large lagoon. The highest point on Mangareva is about 1447 ft about sea level. With its mountainous terrain and grassy platueaus, Mangareva is one of the three populated islands. The depth inside the lagoon is 80 ft. Mangareva is becoming known for its pearl arms. Today, there is one other vessel, the cargo ship "Taporo," anchored at Mangareva.