Closing the Triangle: The Way Home

Polynesian Voyaging Society

Sail Plan / Leg 5. Tahiti to Hawai'i (Dec. 1999-Jan. 2000)

Hokule'a will sail north across the easterly winds to about 300 miles east of Hawai'i, then turn west along 20.5° N latitude to search for Mauna Kea Kea (13,796 ft.). Navigator: Nainoa Thompson, with Shantell Ching.

Islands

Tautira, Tahiti: 17° 44' S, 149° 10' W

Avatoru, Rangiroa: 14° 56' S, 147° 43' W

Hilo, Hawai'i: 19° 44' N, 155° 04' W

The Voyage to Hawai'i has five segments; the first two segments will take place in the Southeast Trade Wind Belt; the third in the Intertropical Convergence Zone, and the fourth and fifth in the Northeast Trade Wind Belt:

Segment 1: Tautira, Tahiti to Rangiroa

Average Wind and Current Conditions in the SE Trade Wind Belt: SE Trades, generally between Hikina (E) and 'Aina Malanai (ESE); 10 - 20 knots; South Equatorial Current; west-flowing; 0.5 knots; 12 miles per day (0.5 knots x 24 hours)

Average Canoe Performance: 5 knots, 120 miles per day

Heading: Na Leo Ko'olau (NNE)

Distance to be Traveled: 185 miles; Sailing Days: 1.5 days

Segment 2: In the Southeast Trades-Rangiroa (15 08' 5) to 3° N

Average Canoe Performance: 5 knots, 120 miles per day

Heading: Haka Ko'olau (N by E)

Distance to be Traveled: 1110 miles; Sailing Days: 9.25 days

Segment 3: In the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)-3 N - 9 N

Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) shifts between 10 degrees N and the Equator, on average between 9 degrees N and 3 degrees N on the route between Hawai'i and Tahiti. Converging winds from the Northeast and Southeast Trade Wind Belts and warm air rising from equatorial waters produce doldrum conditions: variable winds, calms, thunderstorm activity, and dense cloud cover. The zone is charcterized by an "impressive wall of clouds"; "confused state of the swell, flukey winds that blow intensely and then subside, and intermittent showers of rain that come from nowhere in a solid, opaque overcast." The light, shifting winds and the confused swells and cloud cover make sailing slow and navigation difficult. Sometimes, however, cloudless skies and easterly winds prevail across the zone. In the 1995, the Hokule'a and Hawai'iloa sailed down to Tahiti without encountering doldrum conditions.

Average Wind and Current Conditions in the ITCZ: Variable; generally out of the East; 0 to 10 knots; Equatorial Countercurrent; east flowing, but unpredictable.

Average Canoe Performance: 2.5 knots, 60 miles per day

Heading: 'Akau (N)

Distance to be Traveled: 360 miles; Sailing Days: 6 days

Segment 4: In the Northeast Trades-9° N to 20° 30' N

Average Wind and Current Conditions in the NE Trade Wind Belt: NE Trades, generally from 'Aina Ko'olau (ENE); 10 - 20 knots; North Equatorial Current; west flowing; 0.5 knots; 12 miles per day (0.5 knots x 24 hours)

Average Canoe Performance: 5 knots, 120 miles per day

Heading: Haka Ho'olua (N by W)

Distance to be Traveled: 700 miles; Sailing Days: 6 days

Segment 5: Westward Home-20° 30' N

Average Canoe Performance: 5.5 knots (current aided), 132 miles per day

Heading: Komohana (W)

Distance to be Traveled: 300 miles; Sailing Days: 2.25 days

Totals for the Leg 5

Total Distance along the Course Line: 2655

Total Sailing Days along the Course Line: 25 days