Navigating the Stars: Hawai‘i Rooted

Under the stars on the island of Maui, Kala Tanaka connects with her ancestors through traditional Hawaiian voyaging.
Years ago, her curiosity for voyaging led her to reach out to her father, who is a master navigator and one of the original crew members of the legendary Hōkūle‘a voyaging canoe. In college, she went on her first sail, and about a decade later, she was part of the crew on the Hikianalia voyaging canoe from Hawai‘i to Tahiti in 2017. Today, she teaches a new generation of voyagers in Maalaea Bay on the Mo‘okiha O Pi‘ilani in Maui.
Regarding how she learned the art of navigating, she describes how her father told her if she was going to voyage, she would have to find her own way to the canoe. She says the stars have always been what intrigued her, from the very first time she ever sailed. She says successful voyagers memorize the rising and setting points of stars and use them to navigate from place to place.
The magic of navigation, she says, is making the island come to you. The ocean, the wind, the fishes, and the birds don’t exist independently. They tell a whole story that tells you where you are if you open your mind and listen.
Discover more of Kala’s #HawaiiRooted story at www.gohawaii.c...
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[@terrycallow2979]

I'm a haole from England but have an Hawaiian heart. I've been to Hawaii 3 times I love the islands and it's people and want my ashes scattered there come the time.

[@sandramorey2529]

I love that the Hawaiian people and all the peoples of the Pacific have relearned their ancient navigational skills. Before Covid we went to Sausolito CA to connect with the crew of Hikianali'a, that sailed without modern instrumentation from O'ahu to California. We met young people and we met Billy who had been on the very first Hokule'a voyage to Tahiti in 1976. I wish more attention had been paid to Malama Honua, the around the world voyage that Hokule'a and Hikianali'a had made 4 years ago for caring for the earth. This is a wonderful site. Mahalo

[@O_Mundo_Louco_de_John_Crazy]

she is still alive?

[@Tlactl]

Seeing the Hokule'a and its sister ship Hikianalia in person was very empowering, to know that they still preserve ancient traditions after thousands of years

[@jeffreyhoward6319]

Its in our nature as human beings to explore the unknown.

[@makadrozdek4981]

I wish you would expand on the “how” n your navigational tattoo n the meaning behind it. I’ve always wondered. No videos or articles found.

[@feelsbaronman8044]

Three comments and 1,000,000 views. This goes to show that some people can't relate but don't judge.

[@rustamnugaev]

Here we go: Forth comment goes from Russia lol, to visit Hawaii is my teenage dream, one day i'll achieve it. Wish me good luck guys!

[@number5279]

I’m a Tanaka too :)

[@toshking5968]

Art Animal

[@REVY01]

How can I learn this? Are there any course's.