Polynesian Navigation
The early polynesian people used the sun, moon, stars, planets and sea currents to lead their way through the Pacific Ocean. During the voyaging time, successful journeys relied on a number of circumstances: Well-built canoes, the skill of navigators and the weather. Voyages depended on sturdy wa’a kaulua, or double-hulled canoes - which were energized by sail and steered by a single huge oar. Navigators were anxious observers of the natural world. They were abundantly with trade wind-generated ocean swells, which normally flow southeast or northeast. By day, the Navigators could identify direction by the rocking motion of their canoes caused by swells. But at sunrise and sunset were even more useful. The suns position indicated east and west and created low light on the ocean that made it possible to see swells directly.
