Hawai'i's voyaging canoes left Pohnpei on Tuesday morning en route for Chuuk Atoll, which they expect to reach tomorrow, Hawai'i time.

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

The timing of the departure has been uncertain, 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 news release this week announced the departure would be on Wednesday Hawai'i time, the canoes actually left on Wednesday Pohnpei time, which was Tuesday Hawai'i time.

The canoes are nearly a month into a voyage with an initial goal of visiting the island of Satawal, where master navigator Mau Piailug lives. Piailug taught noninstrument navigation to Hawaiian voyagers, and the purpose of this portion of the voyage is to present the canoe Alingano Maisu to Piailug as a gift. A son and a grandson of Piailug are sailing aboard Alingano Maisu.

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 to make their scheduled arrival at Chuuk.

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

Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com.