- Kawika Kapahulehua
Elia Kawika David Ku'ualoha Kapahulehua (
July 13 1930 –May 17 2007 ) was aHawaii an sailor who was the first to captain an ocean-voyaging canoe from Hawaii to Tahiti in modern times.Kapahulehua was born on
Ni'ihau , in 1930 and picked up the name "Kawika" as a young adult crewingcatamaran s onWaikiki Beach .Ohira, Rod (May 18, 2007). [http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/May/18/ln/FP705180367.html Voyager was the 'perfect captain.'] "Honolulu Advertiser "]The famed 1976 voyage of the "Hokule'a" was beset with problems,cite web |url= http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070603/news_lz1j03kawika.html |title= Kawika Kapahulehua; famed captain sailed from Hawaii to Tahiti |author= Douglas Martin |work=
The San Diego Union-Tribune |date=3 June 2007 |quote= ] but ultimately successful. The goal was to see if a 62-foot-long, two-masted canoe that approximated ancient canoes could be sailed without navigational equipment on the convert|2250|nmi|km|sing=on journey. While navigatorMau Piailug guided the ship, Kapahulehua had to deal with 6 of 17 crew members who quit their duties at sea.A 1978 attempt in which he did not participate capsized after six hours and led to the death of surfer
Eddie Aikau .In later life, he taught the
Hawaiian language , wrote vocabulary books, and officiated at traditional Hawaiian rites. Kapahulehua died inHonolulu, Hawaii .Martin, Douglas (May 27, 2007). Kawika Kapahulehua Dies; Hawaiian Seafarer Was 76. "New York Times "]References
External links
* [http://pvs.kcc.hawaii.edu/ Polynesian Voyaging Society]
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