Polynesians belong to the Austronesian family. Austronesians were known for being master navigators and were one with nature and the elements. They originated from Island Southeast Asia, honing their seavoyaging skills for thousands of years before heading eastwards to Polynesia. Austronesians spread as far as Hawaii because of their sophisticated navigational technology, heightened senses and abilities (i.e. outrigger canoes, double-hull canoes, knowledge of astronomy, wave swells, knowledge of wind directions and possibly knowledge of animal migrations) and intentional colonizing, keeping in contact with relatives and trading.