system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: How did the first people find land in the middle of the Pacific Ocean like Hawaii when it seems like finding land in the space of vast ocean is like throwing darts blindfolded?
gpt
Sea-going civilizations have a good deal of knowledge of the surrounding area from their fishing activities.

Beyond this, cloud formation and tidal patterns can give you clues about islands long before you can see the actual island.

However, the most likely method for groups like Polynesians would have been simply following birds. Migratory birds "island hop", so all you need to do is know the difference between various kinds of birds and follow the right ones.