Traditional Polynesian navigation emphasizes a deep connection to nature and cultural heritage, as highlighted in “Vaiana 2.” The film incorporates insights from experts like Lehua Kamalu, showcasing how navigators utilize natural elements—stars, sun, wind, waves, and animal behavior—to guide their journeys. Nainoa Thompson’s Hawaiian compass serves as a mental tool for navigation, while the importance of intuition and community support remains central to the experience. This ancient practice is witnessing a resurgence across the Pacific Islands.
The Art of Traditional Polynesian Navigation
“Navigating isn’t merely about sailing or knot tying, princess; it’s about envisioning your journey and understanding your origins.” This is the essence of traditional Polynesian navigation, as conveyed by the demigod Maui in “Vaiana 2,” which debuted in theaters on November 27, 2024. Princess Vaiana exemplifies this realistic approach to navigation.
Are you intrigued? To enhance the authenticity of both films, the production team collaborated with experts like Lehua Kamalu, a Hawaiian captain and director of the Polynesian Voyaging Society program, ensuring the portrayal of navigation was credible and true to tradition.
Navigating with Nature’s Elements
Orientation is the ability to navigate from one point to another, a skill inherent in all of us. However, true navigation is more nuanced, especially in the context of Polynesia. Long before modern navigation tools were developed, navigators relied on natural elements and their intimate knowledge of their vessels to find their way. Today, this age-old method is experiencing a revival across the Pacific Islands.
Nainoa Thompson, a skilled Polynesian navigator, introduced a conceptual tool known as the Hawaiian compass. This stellar compass is not a physical device but rather a mental framework for navigation. It divides the 360-degree horizon into 32 segments, each corresponding to specific stars and their rising and setting points on the ocean. This compass also includes the four cardinal directions, each named for the winds of Hawaii.
To ascertain the direction of their journey, navigators observe natural elements. At night, they look to the stars, constellations, and planets, while during the day, they study the sun’s path, the wind, and the waves it creates. In cloudy conditions, when celestial bodies are obscured, they must interpret the various types of waves, and when visibility is further compromised, they rely on their physical sensations to feel the ocean’s movements.
Animals also serve as invaluable indicators of land proximity. As explained by Lehua Kamalu in an interview with Popular Science, “Animals possess an innate ability to navigate back home, making them essential guides for those at sea.” Understanding the individual elements—stars, sun, wind, clouds, and animals—is vital, but synthesizing these observations into a cohesive understanding of the ocean is the key to effective navigation.
In “Vaiana,” the protagonist uses the constellation of Maui’s hook, known as the “Scorpion,” to locate the demigod. Thanks to the expertise of Lehua Kamalu and other advisors, this constellation is accurately depicted in the film. “We aimed for precision. These are genuine stars, not from a fictional realm,” Kamalu stated to Popular Science.
Ultimately, despite all the technical knowledge available, a navigator’s most reliable compass remains their intuition. “It’s crucial to always trust our inner feelings,” emphasizes the Hawaiian captain. Just as Vaiana is guided by her grandmother’s spirit across the ocean, every traveler is accompanied by the support of their community, making the journey a shared experience.