Sept 25, 5:30 a.m HST. / From Sam Low Aboard Kamahele

Hokule'a stopped yesterday afternoon at Pitcairn to greet the people of the island. After a reunion of the 42 inhabitants and the crew of the canoe and escort boat who had visited the island on Aug. 24-25, the canoe departed under moon-lit skies at 9:30 p.m. last night.

Sept 25, 5:30 p.m HST. / From Sam Low Aboard Kamahele

The wind began to accelerate yesterday afternoon while we were anchored at Pitcairn and continued into the bright moon-lit night as the canoe departed that island at 9:30 p.m. As the sun set today both canoe and escort boat were plunging through 6-8 foot seas frothed with whitecaps. In 25 knots of wind, Kama Hele has to put up more sail and increase the revolutions of its diesel engine to keep up with Hokule'a, which is flying along at about 7 knots on the same heading as out of Mangareva, roughly La Malanai, or E by S.

Dawn was clear this morning with precisely etched fair-weather cumulus clouds around the horizon. By midday, the horizon was obscured by what sailors call "smoke"--gray haze, the result of salt and seaspray stirred into the atmosphere by strong winds. This is an indication that we may expect the strong winds and favorable progress to continue for the near future.

For back reports on the leg to Rapa Nui, go to Rapa Nui Back Reports

For more information on the leg to Rapa Nui, go to The Mangareva-to-Rapa Nui Page

For more information on the quest for Rapa Nui, go to the PVS Homepage