Photos from the Voyage to Rapa Nui

Leg 3-Mangareva to Rapa Nui


(See Daily Reports for the Leg to Rapa Nui)

Anakena, Rapa Nui: Hokule'a was formally welcomed at a ceremony at Anakena on the north side of Rapa Nui on October 19, 1999. A triangular stone platform representing the Polynesian Triangle was built above the beach at Anakena by Carlos Hucke. Anakena is the landing site of Hotu Matua, the founder of Rapa Nui. Stones from Hawa'i were placed at the northern corner of the platform. Stones were brought from Niu Valley, O'ahu, by Pinky Thompson, president of the Polynesian Voyaging Society; Kipahulu, Maui, by Sol Kaho'ohalahala representing Maui County; Pu'ukohola Heiau on the Big Island; Le'ahi, O'ahu, by Kumu John Lake's Hula Halau; Kawainui Marsh, O'ahu, by Chuck Burroughs of the Hui Lama Club of Kamehameha Schools and the Kawainui Marsh Foundation, which is restoring cultural sites at the Marsh; a stone was also placed by the Royal Order of Kamehameha I (photo courtesy of Bob Alakai, who accompanied Kumu John Lake's Hula Halau).

Hokule'a and Rapa Nui under Grey Skies.

Hokule'a sailing toward Rapa Nui. Crew member Max Yarawamai sighted the island just before dawn on October 8 after a seventeen and a half day voyage from Mangareva (Photo: Polynesian Voyaging Society).

Hokule'a entering Hanga Piko harbor, Rapa Nui, October 9. (Photo: From "Gazette Te Rapa Nui"; courtesy of Sebastian Englert Anthropological Museum).

The Crews of Hokule'a and Kama Hele on Rapa Nui. Front Row: Sonny Ahuna, Kealoha Hoe, Tava Taupu, Aaron Young, Max Yarawamai, Tim Gilliom; Middle Row: Dr. Ben Tamura, Bob Krauss (Honolulu Advertiser); Back Row: ?, Shantell Ching, Mike Tongg, Navigator Chad Baybayan, Mel Paoa, Sam Low, Navigator Bruce Blankenfeld, Makanani Attwood, Navigator Nainoa Thompson, Kamaki Worthington. Missing: Crew Member Terry Hee; Escort Boat Captain Alex Jakubenko and Elsa Jakubenko.

Photo sent 9/26/99 from Hokule'a at Sea

Ancient Searoad from Mangareva to Rapa Nui. The story of the first migration voyage to Rapa Nui, over 1500 years ago, gives the following directions to the island:

I lunga (upwind)
e tau (it juts up)
e revareva ro a (as a permanent contour [i.e., an island, not a moving cloud])
i roto i te raa (in the midst of the [rising] sun)
Hokule'a is headed in the direction of the rising sun. The navigators could sight Rapa Nui "in the midst of the rising sun." The sun projects a shadow of the island over the horizon, so its contour can be seen in the dawn light before the actual island can be seen.

Hokule'a lifts out of the water in brisk northerly winds on its way to Rapa Nui.

Sleepless Intensity. The navigator must stay awake for practically the whole voyage, up to 30-35 days, tracking the canoe on a mental map of the ocean between his starting point and his destination. Nainoa has probably not slept for six days, ever since Hokule'a left Mangareva on the afternoon of Sept. 21. Here he is studying the clouds and determining the direction of the swells at sunset.

Shantell Studying the Sky at Sunrise.

The Mahalo ExpressPhotos shot on the canoe are put in a water-tight bucket and tossed overboard; the escort boat crew retrieves the bucket from the sea, takes out the photos, and e-mails them back to the Hawai'i.

Photo sent 9/26/99 from Hokule'a at Sea

Hokule'a sailing in 25 knots of winds, heading La Malanai, one house (103 true) south of the sun rising in Hikina (E), sea spray flying over her bow, atmosphere hazy with "smoke." (See the Sept. 25 report below). The crew has put on smaller sails for the higher winds.

Navigators Nainoa and Bruce Trimming the Back Sail.

Tava with Navigator Chad Baybayan.

The Crew at the Back of the Canoe, Sunday Morning Watch. Nainoa (right) leaning over the navigator's platform..looks like he is estimating the speed of the canoe by counting the seconds it takes for patches of foam coming off the bow of the canoe to reach the aft. The faithful Kama Hele following about 100 yards behind Hokule'a.

Tava Taupu Steering the Canoe.

Mike Tongg Steering the Canoe.

The major swell is coming from the south and hits the canoe on the starboard bow as it heads E by S. The swells look about 4-6 feet. The swells are being generated by the winds from a low pressure system southwest of the canoe. The navigators use the swells for holding direction and steering.

The fishing line at the back of the canoe. No strikes yet.

SPLASH!: A wave hits the back of the canoe and provides a natural flush for the toilet.

Photos sent 9/25/99 from Hokule'a at Sea

The Navigators found Pitcairn on the morning of Sept. 24, 1999.

Bruce and Shantell working the sails in foul weather gear (donated by Patagonia)...needed in the brisk winds, which send sea spray flying over the bow of the canoe.

Photos sent 9/24/99 from Hokule'a at Sea

Hokule'a Sailing for Pitcairn under Bright Skies

Sails Full of Wind...the Best!

Kama Hele Gets First Hit... Tim Gilliom, Professional Fisherman, Lands the First Fish in the Mangareva to Rapa Nui Fishing Tournament--a 24 lb. Mahimahi. Timmy's assistants Kealoha Hoe and Makanani Attwood Hold the Fish. (Kama Hele: 1; Hokule'a:0). Tim is famous for catching 11 ahi and a huge ono with a hand line in about 2 hours when Hokule'a was anchored off Pitcairn island on Aug. 25, 1999. (Photo by Moana Doi).

The Crew: TH, Bruce, Shantell, Dr. Ben, Nainoa, Mike, Aaron, Chad, Mel.

Shantell and Max enjoying a breakfast moment. Max really did make it onto the canoe.

Photos sent 9/23/99 from Hokule'a at Sea

Hokule'a's navigators meeting to go over the sailing strategy for Rapa Nui.

The crew put on new sails this morning for the lighter winds.

The smaller sails were folded and put away.

Mel working the sheet lines.

Nainoa navigating; Tava working the back sail.

Bruce setting out the fishing lines.

Mike Tongg working the radio.

Living in Tight Quarters.

Hokule'a pointing for Pitcairn.

Photos sent 9/22/99 from Kama Hele and Hokule'a at Sea, about 150 miles out of Mangareva, French Polynesia

Towing Out of Mangareva. (Wide Shot) The navigators backsighted on the high peaks of Mangareva until the island disppaeared from view.

Towing Out of Mangareva. (Tight Shot)

Opening the Sails

Under Sail 1

Under Sail 2

Photos sent 9/19/99 from Rikitea, Mangareva, French Polynesia

The Rapa Nui Crew, with Mangarevan Host Bruno Schmidt,at the Steering Sweep of Hokule'a (Left to Right): Mike Tongg, Bruno Schmidt, Shantell Ching, Mel Paoa, Bruce Blankenfeld, Chad Baybayan, Aaron Young, Ben Tamura (Sitting in the Center). Missing: Terry Hee, Tava Taupu, Sonny Ahuna, Nainoa Thompson, Max Yarawamai, who will be flying into Mangareva tomorrow.

Navigator Nainoa Thompson Under Cloudy Skies

Sonny Ahuna on the satellite phone: Sonny, a cameraman for KITV, is currently on leave with the Hawai'i Department of Education to shoot video and stills on the Mangareva to Rapa Nui voyage.

Dr. Ben Tamura on the satellite phone.

Aaron Young on the satellite phone.

Documentor Sam Low on the satellite phone.

(NOTE: Photos of crew members with Sat Phone are not ads for the company. These were the only photos of these crew members sent back.)

Canoe Petroglyph and Konane (checker) Board by Makanani Attwood--a Gift to the People of Mangareva in Commemoration of the Visit of Hokule'a.

The Anchorage at Rikitea

Loading Hokule'a at the Dock at Rikitea