Nainoa Thompson
Nainoa Thompson | |
|---|---|
Nainoa Thompson (center) with actor Jason Scott Lee (left) and artist Layne Luna (right). Photo taken in 2003 at Hilo, Hawaiʻi. | |
| Born | Charles Nainoa Thompson March 11, 1953 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States |
| Education | University of Hawaiʻi (BA) |
| Occupation | Ship navigator in the Polynesian traditions |
| Spouse | Kathy Muneno |
| Children | 2 |
| Father | Myron "Pinky" Thompson |
| Relatives | Clorinda Low Lucas (maternal grandmother) |
Charles Nainoa Thompson (born March 11, 1953) is an Native Hawaiian navigator and the president of the Polynesian Voyaging Society. He is best known as the first Hawaiian to practice the ancient Polynesian art of navigation since the 14th century, having navigated two double-hulled canoes (the Hōkūleʻa and the Hawaiʻiloa) from Hawaiʻi to other island nations in Polynesia without the aid of western instruments.