Film follows archaeologists as they seek clues to the origins and achievements of ancient Polynesian seafarers. It shows the excavation of a powerful voyaging canoe on the Tahitian island of Huahine, early sailing routes in Fii, and traces of Hawaii's first settlers on Mokai. Film also travels with Mau Piailug as he and his crew sail a replica of an original Polynesian canoe from Hawaii to Tahiti--2500 miles across the ocean with benefit of sextant, compass, or any other Western navigational instrument