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Education: Online Activities

Hawaiian Star Compass

Select a category of knowledge recorded on the compass. First see the Hawaiian labels on the compass, and then for each category click “view English” to add blue English labels. Read more about the meanings of their Hawaiian names below the illustration.

Cardinal Directions


  • Hikina: Arriving or coming; or East where the sun and stars “arrive” at the horizon.
  • Komohana: Entering; or West where the sun and stars “enter” into the horizon.
  • ‘Akau: Right; or North as one is facing west.
  • Hema: Left; or South as one is facing west.

Credits: Hawaiian Star Compass, Copyright by C. Nainoa Thompson