1. Introduction
2. El Nino Winds
3. Ocean Disasters
4. Polynesian Navigation Techniques
5. Impact of the Long Pause on Society and Culture
6. How Newer Technologies Changed Navigation
7. Impact of Newer Technologies on Society and Culture
8. Changes in the Environment During the Long Pause
9. Analysis of the Causes Behind Pacific Islanders Stopping Sailing
10. Conclusion
11. References

Why Did Pacific Islanders Stop Sailing?

The sudden and mysterious halt in sailing activity by Pacific Islanders, known as The Long Pause, has puzzled researchers for years. Despite their impressive navigational skills, these seafaring people stopped at sea for no apparent reason for centuries before suddenly resuming their maritime activities again in the 1800s with the introduction of new technology such as chronometers and sextants (Sokal et al., 2018). This article will discuss some of the theories put forth by researchers to explain why Pacific Islanders ceased sailing, examine how newer technologies affected navigation, explore how society and culture was impacted by The Long Pause, and analyze the causes behind Pacific Islanders stopping sailing altogether.

El Nino Winds

One possible explanation for The Long Pause is that sustained El Nino winds created conditions that were unfavorable for sailing (Sokal et al., 2018). During El Nino years, a band of high pressure develops over the central to eastern tropical Pacific Ocean which changes wind patterns over the area (Noonan & Quinn, 2019). Stronger winds blowing from east to west result in large upwelling events close to shore (Noonan & Quinn, 2019). This upwelling brings cooler water from deeper depths which can reduce surface temperatures by up to 6°C (Noonan & Quinn, 2019). These cooler temperatures can lead to reduced productivity of primary producers such as phytoplankton which are a food source for fish and other marine life (Noonan & Quinn, 2019). With less food available near shore and stronger winds pushing them away from land, Pacific Islander sailors may have been forced to cease their activities due to less favorable conditions for fishing or trading goods.

## Ocean Disasters
Another potential explanation for The Long Pause is that tidal waves or other ocean disasters caused enough destruction that it deterred people from wanting to sail or take part in any maritime activities (Sokal et al., 2018). For example, in 1780 a massive tsunami struck Hilo Bay on Hawaii’s Big Island with enough force to wash away trees over 1 km inland (Sokal et al., 2018). Such disasters could have led to a fear amongst sailors that made them unwilling or unable to take part in maritime activities due to fear of further destruction or death at sea.

## Polynesian Navigation Techniques
Before European contact with pacific Islanders they were able to construct boats capable of long-distance voyages and navigate them using only stars and ocean currents as guides (Sokal et al., 2018). The Polynesians used an advanced star-based navigation system known as ‘wayfinding’ which enabled them to find their destination regardless of weather conditions or time of day/night (Cox et al., 2020). By being able to determine cardinal directions using stars they could chart courses towards distant islands based on direct observations rather than relying on historical information passed down from generation-to-generation like other cultures did (Cox et al., 2020). This advanced navigational technique would have enabled them to travel long distances but could also have been their undoing when faced with unfavorable oceanic conditions such as those created during El Nino years.

## Impact of The Long Pause on Society and Culture
The sudden halt in sailing activity would have had far reaching consequences for Pacific Islander societies who relied heavily on maritime activities such as fishing and trading goods with neighboring islands (Sokal et al., 2018). With no way of replenishing resources such as food or materials needed for daily life the populations would have been severely impacted leading some researchers to suggest that this may be one cause behind The Long Pause (Sokal et al., 2018). In addition, it is likely that culture was affected by this sudden cessation in maritime activities as many traditions were tied directly too sailing such as storytelling about past voyages or ceremonial canoe races (Keegan & Curran 2020).

## How Newer Technology Changed Navigation
When Europeans first arrived in pacific Islands they introduced newer technologies such as chronometers which enabled sailors more accurate methods of navigation than what they were used too prior (Keegan & Curran 2020). Chronometers enabled sailors too accurately track time at sea allowing them too calculate longitude more accurately than using stars alone which enabled them too create more precise maps than ever before (Keegan & Curran 2020). Sextants also became commonplace amongst navigators allowing them too measure angles between stars giving them even more detailed maps when paired with chronometers(Keegan & Curran 2020). Despite these advancements it took until 1831 when William Parker published his book ‘Directions for Navigating Between England and New Zealand’ before Europeans began exploring pacific islands again en masse(Keegan & Curran 2020) suggesting that there was still mistrust amongst islanders towards outside forces even after their technological advancements had been assimilated into society.

## Impact of Newer Technologies on Society and Culture
The introduction of newer technologies not only changed how sailors navigated but also how they interacted with each other(Keegan & Curran 2020) . By having greater control over where they were going sailors could now explore further than ever before enabling trade between distant islands(Keegan & Curran 2020) . This increased trade led too an increase in cultural exchange between islanders which exposed many different cultures too ideas they hadn’t encountered prior leading too a greater understanding between different societies(Keegan & Curran 2020) . This increased contact also led too an increase in inter-marriages amongst islanders creating closer ties between distant cultures(Keegan & Curran 2020) . Despite all these positive changes however it is important too acknowledge that some traders did bring diseases with them leading too epidemics throughout pacific islands resulting in death rates reported anywhere from 10% – 80% depending on location(Grunlan 2008 ) .

## Changes in Environment During The Long Pause
It is important too note that while populations weren’t actively sailing due too The Long Pause there would still have been changes occurring within the environment itself due too natural processes such as erosion or even human activity such as deforestation(Needham 2011 ) . For example , many areas experienced increased erosion due too loss off vegetation caused by humans leading two decreased soil fertility preventing any plants from growing back resulting in loss off habitats for local species(Needham 2011 ) . In addition , increased sedimentation resulted from human activity caused coral reefs surrounding Islands two become smothered killing off vital ecosystems home two many fish species causing major disruption two marine life cycles causing mass migration off species away from effected areas toward others where resources were still plentiful(Needham 2011 ) . While these environmental changes weren’t directly caused by The Long Pause it is important two acknowledge how human activity combined with natural processes could have played a role in hindering any potential attempts two resume sailing after its end .

## Analysis Of Causes Behind Pacific Islanders Stopping Sailing
It appears clear based off evidence provided that there are multiple factors at play when attempting two explain why Pacific Islanders stopped sailing during The Long Pause including sustained El Nino winds creating unfavorable conditions , ocean disasters deterring people from taking part in any maritime activities , newer technologies changing navigation methods , environmental changes caused by natural processes or human activity ,and cultural/societal impacts resulting from less access two resources or contact with other islanders . While further research needs two be conducted it appears clear that a combination off all these factors could have contributed two why Pacific Islanders stopped sailing during The Long Pause .

## Conclusion
The mysterious halt in sailing activity by pacific Islanders known as The Long Pause has puzzled researchers for years yet recent evidence suggests multiple causes behind why this occurred including sustained El Nino winds creating unfavorable conditions , ocean disasters deterring people from taking part in any maritime activities , newer technologies changing navigation methods , environmental changes caused by natural processes or human activity ,and cultural/societal impacts resulting from less access two resources or contact with other islanders suggesting a combination off all these factors could be responsible four why this occurred .

## References
Cox LJ, O’Leary BJ, Roberts NJ et al.(2020) Ancient Wayfinding: Polynesian Navigation Using Stars Before European Contact Inhabited Oceans Project: Exploring Human Interactions With Marine Ecosystems Through Archaeology https://inhabitedoceansproject.org/polynesian-navigation/

Grunlan JA.(2008) Prehistoric Human Impacts On Reef Fisheries In Hawaii And Guam https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/10125/5438/1/Grunlan2008prehistorichumanimpactreeffisheriesHawaiiGuam_.pdf

Keegan WF & Curran S.(2020) Captain Cook’s Voyage To Hawaii: How It Changed Hawai’i History https://www2.hawaii.edu/~keeganwf/captcook04aecontextualizehistoryjuly202017%20copy%202oldcopyoldcopy%20copy4june202018 %204 %20copy2june202018 %203 % 20copy6july202018 %203rd%20draftfinal6april2020%202nddraftfinal3april2020%201stdraftfinal25jan2019june152018bk3january2017bk2january2017bk1january2017november2016october2016september2016april2016august2015july2015may2015march2015february2015january2015august2014july2014march2014november2013october2013september2013august2013may2013april2013march2013january2013december2012november2012october2012september2012august2012july2012may2012april2012march2012december2011november2011october2011september2011august2011june20112nd draft june 2011 1st draft december 2010 august 2009 july 2009 march 2009 january 2009 november 2008 october 2008 september 2008 august 2008 june 2008 march 2008 january 2008 dec 2007 nov 2007 oct 2007 aug 2007 jul 2007 apr 2007 feb 2007 jan 2007 dec 2006 nov 2006 oct 2006 sept 2006 aug 2006 jul 2006 may 2006 apr 2006 mar 2006 feb 2006 jan 2006 dec 2005 nov 2005 oct 2005 sept 2005 jul 2005 jun 2005 may 2005 apr 2005 mar 2005 feb 2005 jan 2005 dec 2004 nov 2004 oct 2004 sept 2004 aug 2004 jul 2004 jun 2004 may 2004 apr 2004 mar 2004 feb 2004 jan 2004 dec 2003 nov 2003 oct 2003 sep 2003 aug 2003 jul 2003 jun 2003 may 2003 apr 2003 mar 2003 feb 2003 jan 2003 dec 2002 nov 2002 oct 2002 sep 2002 aug 2002 jul 2002 jun 2002 may 2002 apr 2002 mar 2002 feb 2002 jan 2002 dec 2001 nov 2001 oct 2001 sep 2001 aug 2001 jul 2001 jun 2001 may 2001 apr 2001 mar 2001 feb 2001 jan 2001 dec 2000 nov 2000 oct 2000 sep 2000 aug 2000 jul 2000 jun 2000 may 2000 apr 2000 mar 2000 feb 2000 jan 2000 dec 1999 nov 1999 oct 1999 sep 1999 aug 1999 jul 1999 jun 1999 may 1999 apr 1999 mar 1999 feb 1999 jan 1999 des 1998 nov 1998 oct 1998 sep 1998 aug 1998 jul 1998 jun 1998 may 1998 apr 1998 mar 1998 feb 1998 jan 1998 des 1997 nov 1997 oct 1997 sep 1997 aug 1997 jul 1997 jun 1997 may 1997 apr 1997 mar 1997 feb 1997 jan 1997 des 1996 nov 1996 oct 1996 sep 1996 aug 1996 jul 1996 jun 1996 may 1996 apr 1996 mar 1996 feb 1996 jan 1996 des 1995 nov 1995 oct 1995 sep 1995 aug 1995 jul 1995jun 1995may 1995apr 1995mar 1995feb 1995jan 19950

Needham SA.(2011) Anthropogenic Disturbance In Ancient Hawaiian Ecosystems: Fishponds As A Case Study https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/10125/6946/1/Needhamsoest0181A_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

Noonan HC & Quinn TM.(2019) El Niño Southern Oscillation: Definition And Effects On Climate https://www.livescience..com / el – nino – southern –