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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.

Lā, Sun


Lā, Sun, is the main guide for the navigator without instruments. The sun’s daily rising and setting positions provide a directional point. The star compass marks those locations on the horizon where Lā, Sun, rises and sets at the spring and fall equinoxes as well as the winter and summer solstices.

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