November 15, 1999 Morning Report (Information from SOEST tracking map at 5 a.m., and latest weather map of the Pacific): Hokule'a is heading NW-NW by W, averaging 4 knots in 15 knot ESE trade winds winds. Rainy. Latitude: 20 degrees 01 minutes S, 115 degrees 05 minutes W. After 5.5 days the canoe is 484 miles from Rapa Nui; 1578 miles to reach its first target: Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas Islands.

November 16, 1999 Morning Report (Information from SOEST tracking map at 5 a.m., and latest weather map of the Pacific; navigator's report e-mailed from Kama Hele): Hokule'a is on a heading of Noio Ho'olua (NW by W) at 4 knots in 8-12 knots winds from the ESE. It has traveled 91 miles in the last 24 hrs. Current estimated position: 20 degrees 30' S and 64 miles E of the reference course; it has traveled an estimated 590 miles in the six and a half days since leaving Rapa Nui. Actual Position and Miles traveled: 20 degrees 13'S, 116 degrees 24' W, 607 miles traveled since departure. Two crew members down with the 24 hr. flu, but otherwise the crew is in good spirits--in good humor and positive.

November 17, 1999 Morning Report (No report sent in today; Information from SOEST tracking map at 8:19 a.m. HST and latest weather map): Hokule'a is on a heading of La Ho'olua (W by N) at 4 knots, up from 1 knot two hours earlier (6:09 a.m.); wind field around the canoe looks like light easterly winds at under 10 knots. The lights winds experienced a couple of days ago seem to have moved north with the canoe. Progress has been slow the last two days: the canoe has made only 67 miles since yesterday morning. Actual Position and Miles traveled:19 degrees 50'S, 117 degrees 29' W, 674 miles traveled since departure.

November 18, 1999 Morning Report (e-mailed from Kama Hele): Hokule'a is on a heading of 'Aina Ho'olua (WNW) at 5 knots, averaging about 4.5 knots over the last 24 hours; the winds are 8-12 knots from Hikina (east), with intermittent squalls. Winds to the north are stronger: 15-20 knots. The crew is trying to get north to find these stronger winds. Estimated latitude at sunrise, 11/18: 18 degrees 38' S. Actual Position at 5:46 a.m. HST: 19 degrees 19' S; 118 degrees 52'W. From report for 11/17, received today: Due to light and variable winds, the crew has put up the largest and lightest sails to catch as much wind as possible. Everyone is in good health; the crew cleaned and disinfected the canoe yesterday. Last fish caught: sail fish on 11/16; a koa'e kea (white-tailed tropic bird is following the canoe and escort boat. Estimated latitude yesterday at sunrise (11/17): 19 degrees, 26' minutes S, based on measurements of stars in Cassiopeia transiting the meridian (Caph at 11.5 degrees; Navi at 10, Segin at 6.5, Ruchbah at 10.5. 56 miles east of the reference course. Actual Position at 8:19 a.m. on 11/17:19 degrees 50'S, 117 degrees 29' W. Steering by the Moon (rising in the afternoon, setting at night); the sun; the planets--Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, and Venus; and the stars--Canopus, Sirius, Sheratan, Albebaran, Rigel. Steering by a SSW swell at 4-6 ft.

November 19, 1999 Morning Report / 9.5 days since departure (e-mailed from Kama Hele): Hokule'a is on a heading of Manu Ho'olua (NW) at 5 knots, and averaging about 5 knots over the last 24 hours; the winds are 10-12 knots from 'Aina Malanai (ESE). Estimated latitude at sunrise, 11/19: 17 degrees 42' S, 23 miles east of the reference course. Actual Position at 7:00 a.m. HST: 18 degrees 26' S; 120 degrees 43'W. Now that Hokule'a is back near its course line, the navigator intends to stay within 60 miles of it while trying to get north to stronger winds. The sky is filled with clouds--cumulus congestus, altostratus, and cirrus. Dominant swell: 3-4 ft. from the east.