Having crossed the Pacific several times as a ship’s passenger, I can attest its size. This ocean is huge; it is, in fact, the largest of all the oceans of the world. It occupies about one – third of the total surface of the globe and in area, there is more Pacific Ocean than dry land on our planet.

One of the great explorers of the Pacific was the English seaman Captain James Cook. In his voyage from 1777 to 1779, he spent much of his time among the Polynesian islands of the central Pacific and was the first European to land in Hawaii. To Captain Cook the Hawaiians and their culture were obviously related to other Polynesians he had encountered elsewhere in the Pacific. After considering the matter, he wrote the following: “ How shall we account for this nation spreading itself so far over this vast ocean?” That is exactly the question, which has occupied scholars and researchers to this very day.

The Polynesians have long oral traditions explaining how their populations came to inhabit the various islands. For example, the Maoris relate how their ancestors arrived in Aotearoa (New Zealand) in seven canoes. They even know and revere the name of the expedition leader. Tahiti to the north and east is believed to be the point of origin of this migration, which is thought to have occurred between A.D. 800 and 1000. Each Polynesian group has similar legends to explain its presence on particular islands, but the world has treated these stories as myths.

To the best of our knowledge, the place of origin of the Polynesians was somewhere in Southeast Asia. They gradually worked their way eastward along the Melanesian island chain until they reached Samoa more than 2000 years ago. Between B.C. 120 and A.D. 300 they reached and settled the Marquesas, which were further east. It was from there that they went north to Hawaii between A.D. 300 and 600. They migrated southeast to Rapa Nui (Easter Island) between A.D. 400 and 500 and southwest to Tahiti in A.D. 800. Other migrations continued after A.D. 1000, but the major islands in the Pacific had all been found and settled by A.D. 1300.

The region of the North and South Pacific recognized as being Polynesian has come to be known as the Polynesian Triangle and covers about 10 million square miles. The three corners are located in Hawaii, Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Rapa Nui (Easter Island), each one about 4500 miles from the other two. All the people within these three points are more or less similar linguistically and culturally.

Many theories exist and are under study about why and how the various migrations occurred. Were people driven by warfare, famine or a love of voyaging? Were the discoveries purely accidental? Were the Polynesians actually able to sail at will without charts or instruments across vast expanses of ocean? When exactly, did these migrations occur? Where did the ancestors of the Polynesians originate? In good time, we hope, these and related questions will be answered.

In the early 1970’s a group of people, in and outside the University of Hawaii, got together to research, build and sail a replica of a double - hulled canoe. Such vessels were believed to have been used by the ancient Polynesians, in their migrations. This informal group evolved into the Polynesian Voyaging Society. They knew that it would be impossible to construct a canoe of traditional materials. Hawaii’s forests no longer had trees large enough to form the 60 - foot long hulls. Their primary objective was to test the idea that these canoes were seaworthy and could safely transport people, plants and animals on long voyages. Using all sources of information, from ancient rock – drawings to sketches by early European explorers, a craft was constructed. The Hokule’a was the first double – hulled canoe, in hundreds of years, made specifically for the purpose of voyaging. None of the Hawaiians were skilled in navigating without charts or instruments, so they obtained the services of such a person from an island in Micronesia where these skills are still practiced. Mau Piailug, the navigator, used his knowledge of the stars, wind, waves and birds to guide the Hokule’a on its first long voyage.

The test of the new canoe began on May 1, 1976 and the objective was to reach the island of Tahiti, some 3000 miles to the south. This was the sort of trip mentioned in the oral traditions of Hawaii. A little over one month later, the canoe with its crew of 17 men, a pig, a dog and two chickens arrived in Tahiti to a hero’s welcome. After a stay of a month, they made the return trip to Hawaii in three weeks. In 1980 the trip to Tahiti and back was carried out under the first Hawaiian navigator. Aotearoa (New Zealand) was reached during the epic 1985 – 87voyage of 16000 miles, when many other islands in the Triangle were visited. This journey demonstrated the ability to sail against the prevailing trade winds during certain seasons. Other long voyages were undertaken in 1992 and 1995. The third corner of the Polynesian Triangle, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), was reached in the 1999 – 2000 voyage. In all cases, no charts or navigational aids were used. The crews were able to catch fish and collect rainwater to supplement the food and water they carried. Sprouted coconuts and other plants on board survived various voyages and were successfully planted and grown in the new destinations. Thus, have modern Polynesians demonstrated the truth of the ancient legends. With each successful voyage there has been a renewal of interest and pride in their ancestors and culture among Hawaiians and other Polynesians. Non – Polynesians may only look on in wonder and admiration that “primitive” humans had the courage and skills to take on the mighty Pacific and prevail.

To learn more about Polynesians, ancient and modern, go to:http://pvs.hawaii.org