A Lesson From A Micronesian Navigator To His Hawaiian Apprentice: Life Lesson For All

Have you ever heard of Mau Piailug? He was a famous Navigator from the island of Satawal.  Satawal is a tiny coral atoll located in the state of Yap, in the Federated States of Micronesia.  Why was he famous? First of all, he was no regular modern navigator.  He was a Navigator that did not use GPS, or a sextant, charts, or any navigation equipment whatsoever.  He simply used the knowledge passed onto him from his forefathers and then stored that knowledge in his brain housing unit.  With this knowledge, he participated, as a Navigator, in an epic voyage that changed the course of history in the Pacific.

Background

Back in the 1970s, our Hawaiian brothers and sisters were realizing a resurgence or renaissance in their Hawaiian culture.  The Hawaiians, as a people, were re-connecting with their roots.  Through song, dance, language, and pride in their heritage, they were bringing it back.  The effects of that renaissance are still felt today, and a big part of that renaissance had to do with a voyage taken from Hawaii to Tahiti, using no modern navigational instruments, in a traditional Hawaiian ocean-going vessel.  Just like the Hawaiians of old used to do, way back when, before "civilization" arrived on their shores.  

It was this voyage that brought Mau Piailug to Hawaii where he shared his knowledge of Navigation with the Hawaiians.  You see, there was no Hawaiian alive who still practiced or possessed that knowledge. There were a few "old school" Navigators left in the Pacific, and through a series of circumstances and maybe luck, Mau Piailug was chosen for this honor.  I know right? Who would've thunk that a Micronesian would be teaching Hawaiians to do anything? Especially in light of all the negative attitudes toward Micronesians in the "Aloha State".   But, that's another story for another time.  Let's get back to Mau and the lesson. 

Mau Piailug trained, prepared, and accompanied the crew of the Hawaiian doubled-hulled voyaging canoe, Hokulea. The voyage, from Hawaii to Tahiti without modern navigational methods, would be the first of its kind in modern times, a step back in time and reconnection with the past.  The first trip down in 1976 was the stuff of legend.  One of his students who joined this voyage and later a very well-known and revered Navigator in his own right was the Hawaiian NainoaThompson.  The first voyage down to Tahiti in 1976 was to prove that this type of voyage, mentioned in Hawaiian oral tradition, could actually be done.  It was a huge success and over 17,000 people met the Hokulea on her arrival to Tahiti.  A second trip was set for 1980, this time the Hawaiians would be doing the navigating, and Mau returned to Hawaii to be their teacher. 

The Lesson

Mau taught the young Nainoa and other Hawaiians how to navigate like their ancestors did.  To use the stars, ocean, and elements to navigate.  To use their mind, their imagination, and their will to get them to their destinations.  He was like a Jedi Navigator Master and his students were padawan learners if you are into star wars.  Or a Shaolin master with his novice monks.  What I'm getting at is he taught them not just how to navigate, but how to think, act and live like Navigators.  That, I think is the key to doing anything well.  Not just knowing how to do a thing, but to be fully committed and invested in what you are doing.  

So, here is the lesson, taken from the Hokulea archives:

In November of 1979, Mau and I went to observe the sky at Lana'i Lookout. We would leave for Tahiti soon. I was concerned-more like a little bit afraid. It was an awesome challenge.

Then he asked, "Can you point to the direction of Tahiti?" I pointed. Then he asked, "Can you see the island?"

I was puzzled by the question. Of course I could not actually see the island; it was over 2,200 miles away. But the question was a serious one. I had to consider it carefully. Finally, I said, "I cannot see the island but I can see an image of the island in my mind."

Mau said, "Good. Don't ever lose that image or you will be lost." Then he turned to me and said, "Let's get in the car, let's go home."

That was the last lesson. Mau was telling me that I had to trust myself and that if I had a vision of where I wanted to go and held onto it, I would get there.

A vision, an image, holding that image and you won't be lost.  I don't know about you, but that sounds a lot like the new-age law of attraction or bio-feedback, visualization gurus.  It sounds so ancient and wise and at the same time fresh and new.  

Micro(Nesian) Perspective

As a Micronesian, I am very proud to know that it was one of our own that helped the Hawaiians reconnect with their culture, their people, their past.  Not many people in Micronesia know Mau, unfortunately.  His example was something that we can follow.  Sharing knowledge with others only makes the world a better place to live, especially when that knowledge was thought to be lost forever. Talk about adding value!

What really impressed me was the ancient, but very practical wisdom shared with Nainoa.  To "see" something that is not there.  To hold that image, in your mind, so that you will never get lost.  Nainoa had to really want to get there, to keep that image in the front of his mind at all times.  He made it to Tahiti and other places beyond Tahiti.  No doubt, using this mind technique.  How fortunate are we that Mau shared this with Nainoa, who shared it with the rest of the world?  

Remember this technique next time you have a goal or destination you want to reach.  Keep that image in your mind, hold on to it, and as Mau said, "don't ever lose that image, or you will be lost".  

 

First Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay

Second Photo by Asad Photo Maldives from Pexels