Escort motorsailer Kama Hele tows Hokule'a and Alingano Maisu out of a Pohnpei lagoon. Polynesian Voyaging Society photo   The Hokule'a voyaging canoe prepares for departure from the lagoon. Polynesian Voyaging Society photo   A departure ceremony was held at Pohnpei docks before the voyaging canoes began to make their way to Chuuk. Polynesian Voyaging Society photo

Navigator Chadd Paishon is the lead navigator for this leg of the voyage, meaning the Alingano Maisu on which he sails will keep the lead, with Hokule'a and escort vessel Kama Hele remaining well astern.

The timing of the departure has been the source of confusion, in part, because of confusion over the time difference between Micronesia and Hawai'i, which are separated by the International Date Line.

While a Polynesian Voyaging Society press release earlier this week announced the departure would be Wednesday Hawai'i time, the canoes actually left on Wednesday Pohnpei time, which was Tuesday Hawai'i time.

The purpose of this portion of the voyage is to deliver the canoe Alingano Maisu to Piailug as a gift for having taught non-instrument navigation to Hawaiian voyagers three decades ago.

The weather has been quite calm, according to mission spokeswoman Kathy Thompson, and it is possible that the canoes could be taken in tow by the Kama Hele in order to make their scheduled arrival at Chuuk.

The crews on the three vessels have changed dramatically, as many of the early voyage crew had to return to Hawai'i for jobs and other responsibilities.

Here are the current crews:

Aboard Hokule'a — captain and navigator Nainoa Thompson, Billy Richards, Ka'iulani Murphy, Na'alehu Anthony, Attwood Makanani, Tim Gilliom, Ana Yarawamai, Max Yarawamai, Gary Kubota, Dr. Marjorie Mau, Nick Marr, Keoni Kuoha, Pauline Yourupi and Pomai Bertelmann.

Aboard Alingano Maisu, — captain Shorty Bertelmann, navigator Chadd Paishon, Sesario Sewralur (son of Satawal master navigator Mau Piailug), Jason Uruselim (Mau's grandson), Athanasio Emaengilpiy, Norman Tawalimai, Atarino Temerwalur, John Lanogo, Pualani Lincoln, Keala Kahuanui, Pattiann Solomon, Kawika Eskaran, Rod Floro, Kanani Kahalehoe, Innocenti Eraekaiut and Weston Correa.

Aboard Kama Hele — captain Mike Taylor, Lee Taylor, Bill Beadle, Mike Cunningham, Stephen Alvarez, James Hadde and Erik Norris.