Hawaiian Star Compass

Hawaiian Star Compass © Charles Nainoa Thompson

The four cardinal directions were given traditional Hawaiian names:

East is called Hikina ("Arriving" or "Coming"), where the sun and stars "arrive" at the horizon;

West is called Komohana ("Entering"), where the sun and stars "enter" into the horizon;

North is called 'Akau ("Right," as one is facing west);

South is called Hema ("Left," as one is facing west).