Crossing the Pacific - No Planes

Right, im sure this has been discussed before, but if it has i couldnt find anything so here goes again.

Is it possible to island hop by boat only across the pacific from asia to hawaii and then on to mainland usa? I would be prepared for the potential high cost of paying for boat journeys, but would be trying my hardest to hitch lifts for free if possible.

Im not interested in finding a spare bed on a ship out of japan or china direct to the states, only through the islands. Phills - pulau - micronesia as a starting point? How about PNG - solomans etc?

Forgive my nievety but i really have no idea of the frequency of international shipping between the pacific countries.

If its not possible, how far do you think i could i feasibly get before needing to catch a flight?

Freighter travel isn't cheap. Browse Here or HERE.

Finding passage (as crew) on a private yacht is a possibility, but you'd have to get down south in the right season. It's a matter of chance who you might meet and where they'd be going.

It would be pretty hard. In most cases the only inter-country ships are freighters, and most do not carry passengers. So, it may be possible, but 99% of the time you will sit in a place for a few weeks or more until you can get a yacht to the next country. Figure six months to a year if you want to stop in several island countries.

A company offers this on a small cruiseship - but it is not cheap and offered in three sections of which you would have to buy all three and you would still have to fly to the beginning and then at the end of the trip. There are also around the world trips on large cruiseships with the option of buying the Pacific section.

You should information here:
http://www.travltips.com/<BR>http://www.travltips.com/traditional.html#anchor240311<BR>http://www.johnnyjet.com/Freighters.html<BR>

Even if you hitch on yachts, you'd be unlikely to get rides for free.
Most yachties charge a fee as a contribution towards living costs on board - unless you are a VERY attractive young woman, willing to "pay" otherwise, maybe! ;-)
Also, while hanging around on the islands waiting for your next ride, you may end up spending more than flying would cost.