The Way Home

Leg 4: Rapa Nui to Tahiti

Daily Reports and Crew Photos

Dec. 3 and 4, 1999--Sighting Tahiti; Arrival in Pape'ete

Photo: Kealoha Hoe: Looking for an island.

Photo: Towing

Dec. 1 and 2--Towing in light winds toward the Tuamotus.

Nov. 30--Sailing at 6-7 knots. Good fishing.

Nov. 29--Heading for Rangiroa and Tahiti.

Nov. 28--Landfall! Fatu Hiva in the Marquesas.

Photo: Rain squall: the crew in foul weather gear.

Photo: Talking story around the cooking box.

Photo: Swabbing the Deck: the crew cleans up in fair weather.

Nov. 27--Sailing at 6.5 knots, looking for an island.

Nov. 26--Sailing at 6 knots, looking for an island.

Nov. 25--Sailing at 7 knots.

Nov. 24--Sailing at 4.5 knots.

Photo: Full moon setting ahead as the canoe heads west.

Photo: Raising the jib for downwind sailing in light winds.

Nov. 23--Sailing at 5.5 knots.

Nov. 22--Sailing at 5.5 knots.

Nov. 21--Sailing at 6 knots.

Nov. 20--10-20 knot tradewinds; Hokule'a begins to fly at 6 knots.

Text/Nov. 20: Kimo's introductions to the crew

Click on the names below for photos of the crew:

  • Photo: Navigator Bruce Blankenfeld measuring the height of the sun.
  • Photo: Navigator Bruce Blankenfeld at sunset.
  • Photo: Captain Wally Froiseth making repairs.
  • Photo: Captain Wally Froiseth working on the new booms before departure.
  • Photo: Watch Captain Dennis Chun providing music for the crew.
  • Photo: Watch Captain Dennis Chun getting ready for bed.
  • Photo: Watch Captain Terry Hee steering.
  • Photo: Watch Captain Terry Hee taking care of the fishing equipment.
  • Photo: Kimo working the lines with Kawika.
  • Photo: Kimo Lyman writing in his journal.
  • Photo: Apprentice Navigator Kamaki Manavaroa Worthington working on a plan with Navigator Bruce Blankenfeld and Student Navigator Na'alehu Anthony.
  • Photo: Apprentice Navigator Kamaki Manavaroa Worthington.
  • Photo: Dr. Blane Chong inside his sleeping compartment.
  • Photo: Dr. Blane Chong helps with cleaning.
  • Photo: Cook Nalani Kaneakua gets ready to carve up an ahi.
  • Photo: Cook Nalani Kaneakua slicing fish.
  • Photo: At meal time, the crew gathering around Nalani to find out, "What's for lunch?"
  • Photo: Crew member Bob Bee with Blane Chong.
  • Photo: Crew member Bob Bee steering.
  • Photo: Crew member Kawika Crivello looking out from his sleeping compartment.
  • Photo: Crew member Kealoha Hoe steering in the shadow of Hokule'a's back sail.
  • Photo: Crew member Kawai Warren on the side sweep.
  • Photo: Crew member Kawai Warren with motus (islands) of Rapa Nui at the stern: Rapa Nui, Motu-kaokao, Motu-iti, Motu-nui.
  • Photo: Documentation Equipment Specialist Na'alehu Anthony with the video camera.
  • Photo: Na'alehu Anthony on the sweep.

    Text/Nov. 20: Kimo Lyman: thoughts on life at sea

    Photo: The Crew shares an evening meal.

    Photo/Nov. 19: Sunrise-- Weather is generally mild in the Southeast tradewind zone at this time of the year. The Southern Hemisphere is moving from spring to summer while Hawai'i and the Northern Hemisphere move from fall to winter.

    Photo: Occassional squallscaught in the tradewind flow.

    Nov. 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19, 1999--Light and variable winds, slow going.

    Photo: Navigator Bruce Blankenfeld at Sunset. Light winds, small seas, cloud cover: typical weather for the first 9 days.

    Text/Nov. 18: Long-line fishing vessel sighted.

    Text/Nov. 16: Reflections on the Health of the Rapa Nui People, by Dr. Blane Chong, medical officer on board Hokule'a

    Nov. 14, 1999--Entering the Southeast tradewind zone.

    Nov. 13, 1999--Becalmed.

    Nov. 11-12, 1999--Slow going.

    Nov. 10, 1999--Winds slacken.

    Kimo Lyman: reflections on leaving Rapa Nui

    Photo: Josie and Ramon Paoa, along with others, bid Hokule'a farewell.

    Nov. 9, 1999--Departure.

    Nov. 7, 1999--Preparing to leave.

    Photo: Captain Wally Froiseth works on the boom before departure. The loose-footed sails used on the Rapa Nui run have been replaced with the inverted triangular sails attached to spars and booms.

    Photo: Crew member Na'alehu Anthony with his mom Lilikala Kame'eleihiwa, board member of the Polynesian Voyaging Society.

    Photo: School Tours--School children on Rapa Nui toured Hokule'a before the canoe departed from the island.

    Photo: The Gift, Nov. 5, 1999--Rapa Nui Museum: The crew of the fourth leg from Rapa Nui to Tahiti presents a gift to the people of Rapa Nui--a model of Hokule'a built by Wright Bowman Sr., who built it in memory of his son, master canoe carver Wright Bowman Jr.

    Photo: Anakena, Rapa Nui--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. Hokule'a was formally welcomed there on October 19, 1999. 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).