Traditional Hawaiian navigation is an ancient practice rooted in the legacy of Polynesian voyaging. Polynesian voyagers, the ancestors of Native Hawaiians, are believed to be among the greatest and most sophisticated navigators in history, traveling incredibly vast distances and surviving to tell the tale. Unlike many other cultures, Native Hawaiians did not use instruments like compasses, maps, or sextants, as navigation. Instead, they relied on environmental cues – a practice known as Wayfinding- to navigate the seas. Follow along as we discuss the sacred art of Hawaiian Wayfinding, traditional sailing vessels, and other traditions and techniques that made Hawaiian navigation so successful and unique. 

The Art of Wayfinding

Ever wonder how people got around before the existence of GPS? Anytime we take a road trip, we find ourselves curious about how my grandparents were able to navigate and travel without a phone in hand. In those days, maps, road signs, and compasses were readily available to help you reach your destination somewhat efficiently. But how did people navigate the open ocean without help from navigation tools like the compass or sextant? Ancient Hawaiian voyagers, some of the most successful voyagers of the ancient world, did just that, sailing the high seas without a map, compass, or sextant. The Hawaiian art of Wayfinding is an ancient technique, relying completely on environmental factors for travel. Although this might seem like a risky game of luck and guessing, ancient Hawaiian voyagers were extremely connected to their environment, using factors such as the swells of the ocean to determine which way they should go. Many other factors, such as celestial positions, clouds, birds, the color of the ocean, and drift patterns, were used as vital indicators for navigating the open ocean. Ancient Hawaiian voyaging and navigation were extremely sacred arts that often required long and time-consuming apprenticeships. Those who held the high-ranking title of master navigators or poʻo, were highly selective about who they chose to be their successors and often passed down their knowledge of navigation through storytelling.  

Traditional Hōkūleʻa’s and the Art of Hawaiian Sailing 

Traditional Hawaiian Sailing involved the use of the iconic Double-hulled Canoe, or waʻa kaulua. These canoes, often made from the wood of the Koa tree, were used to carry out thousands of long voyages. Not only were these vessels incredibly stable and efficient, but they were also capable of carrying people, supplies, and animals over thousands of miles. Although these Waʻa kaulua’s provided the support to keep Hawaiian voyagers and their supplies afloat, these boats would not be complete without their sails. Waʻa kaulua sails were traditionally made from triangular or crab-claw-shaped woven mats that could be adjusted for direction. Steering was done with a long steering oar, or hoe uli. The two hulls, or canoe-like vessels, worked together to provide much-needed stability in rough ocean waters. Since the late twentieth century, there has been a large and successful revivalist movement of traditional Hawaiian navigation, and Hōkūleʻa’s have become a symbol of Hawaiian resilience, identity, and ancestral knowledge.

Hawaiian Wayfinding in the Twenty-First Century

Modern Wayfinding in the twenty-first century involves the continuation of non-instrumental ocean navigation. While modern-day Wayfinding voyages still navigate the open ocean without GPS tracking or other navigational tools, safety boats are used alongside Waʻa kaulua’s to support and document Hōkūleʻa’s on long and potentially dangerous voyages. The Hawaiian Star Compass, a system for memorizing star paths, horizon points, and directional zones, is another technique used in modern Hawaiian Wayfinding. Much like ancient Hawaiian voyagers, modern Wayfinders must complete years-long apprenticeships where they spend extensive time at sea studying the stars and sailing conditions, and learning oral traditions passed down by their ancestors. Today, modern Wayfinding is more than just navigation- it’s a way to reconnect Hawaiians to their culture and their ancient roots. Wayfinding of the modern era is carried out for many reasons. Some do for educational purposes, some do it to promote ocean conservation and sustainability, and others do it simply for fun. Regardless though, Hawaiian Wayfinding is a living legacy and proof that ancient wisdom can oftentimes be just as valuable as modern technology.