Voyaging canoes Hokule'a and Alingano Maisu were nearing Johnston Island yesterday and reported seeing many birds.

Birds are a sign that the canoes are near the island.

The canoes, which had been on a course to pass north of the island, changed their direction and appeared to be heading for a much closer passage. They were within 80 miles of the island at midday yesterday.

The vessels were northeast of Johnston, a low island about 700 miles southwest of Honolulu. Their course changed to a west-southwest path, which could bring them within a few miles of the island.

Hokule'a skipper Bruce Blankenfeld is leading the noninstrument navigation of the canoes for this portion of the voyage.

Polynesian Voyaging Society president Nainoa Thompson said the island will be easy to miss, particularly if the nearest passage is at night. He said the canoes at this point are in an island-finding mode, knowing they are near land, and searching for clues to let them find it.

Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com.