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How did Polynesian wayfinders navigate the Pacific Ocean? - Alan Tamayose and Shantell De Silva

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Imagine setting sail from Hawaii in a canoe. Your target is a small island thousands of kilometers away in the middle of the Pacific Ocean — a body of water that covers more than 160 million square kilometers. For thousands of years, Polynesian navigators managed voyages like this without the help of modern navigational aids. How did they do it? Alan Tamayose and Shantell De Silva explain.


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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Alan Tamayose, Shantell De Silva
  • Director Patrick Smith
  • Script Editor Brendan Pelsue
  • Animator Patrick Smith
  • Associate Producer Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
Additional Resources for you to Explore
The Polynesian Voyaging Society’s canoe, the Hōkūleʻa, successfully sailed to Tahiti in 1976. Using ancient wayfinding techniques, the Hōkūleʻa ignited a cultural renaissance. Four decades later, the Hōkūleʻa embarked on a 3-year voyage around the world. Visiting more than 23 countries, this Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage was completed in June of 2017. To learn more about the Hōkūleʻa and the Polynesian Voyaging Society, please visit hokulea.com.

The Star Compass was a mental construct used by Polynesian navigators. Here are examples.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is currently developing Kilo Hōkū, a Virtual Reality simulator of the Star Compass. Please visit their website for updates.

Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Alan Tamayose, Shantell De Silva
  • Director Patrick Smith
  • Script Editor Brendan Pelsue
  • Animator Patrick Smith
  • Associate Producer Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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