Current Position (as of 9:18 PDT, which is Hawaiian time 6:18 pm, which is 4:15 UTC): 20.28N, 148.09W

Please notice that I am now posting my blogs in UTC or Coordinated Universal Time. It is used as the universal standard of time (and date). It used to be called GMT for Greenwich Mean Time. Greenwich mean time was based upon the time at the zero degree meridian that crossed through Greenwich, England. GMT became a world time and date standard because it was used by Britain's Royal Navy and merchant fleet during the nineteenth century. UTC uses a 24-hour system of time notation. The following are some conversions for USA time zones:

Local Time Subtract from UTC:

Atlantic Standard Four hours
Atlantic Daylight Three hours
Eastern Standard Five hours
Eastern Daylight Four hours
Central Standard Six hours
Central Daylight Five hours
Mountain Standard Seven hours
Mountain Daylight Six hours
Pacific Standard Eight hours
Pacific Daylight Seven hours
Alaskan Standard Nine hours
Alaskan Daylight Eight hours
Hawaiian Standard Ten hours

Had a good passage making night but not such a good sleep night. Slapping swells again... I spoke with the crew on a 80' fishing trawler on its way to Hawaii. I kept trying to tell them a little bit about me but they didn't understand. It was still nice to talk to them. The evenings are so beautiful out here. It is still warm (85 degrees) and the sky is clear (sometimes) and there are the most amazing stars.
The wind was a bit light today which made steering harder for the vane. I spent a lot of time checking the battery connections and following wires to try to figure out why my solar panels seem to not be charging as well. There were a few loose connections that I tightened up but nothing much else.
Spoke with home today. My new computer arrived thanks to all the great sponsors who have given to help support my journey. It is a Panasonic Toughbook 52. It is one of the most durable laptops made these days. I'm looking forward to the safety of having 2 systems on board again. Mom and Dad will bring it to Oahu when they fly out next week.
I am about 550 miles from Oahu. The wind is good for the next few days but looks to be getting lighter after that. Trying not to stress about that. Have been studying up on my arrival around Diamond Head in Honolulu.
It was suggested that I use some of my rubbing alcohol from my first aid kit for the alcohol stove. Does anyone know if this is really OK? I don't want to burn up my boat but tuna sandwiches are getting a little old. Please respond on a comment on the blog or at my land-based email at zacsworldadventure@yahoo.com.
Cheers,
Zac