Updated at 2:08 p.m., Thursday, August 23, 2007
Memorial services for Beach Boy tomorrow in Waikiki
Advertiser Staff
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Kuahulu — a Waikiki Beach Boy from 1955 to 2006, veteran paddler and one of the original crew members on the Hokule'a's maiden voyage in 1976 — died Aug. 11 of esophageal cancer. Kuahulu was 70.
A beach gathering set for 8 a.m. will be followed by services at 8:45 near Waikiki Beach's Aloha Beach Services stand — on the beach between Duke's Restaurant and Moana/Surfrider. A group of six-man canoes will scatter the ashes.
The Hokule'a will be off shore for the services. Kuahulu was instrumental in creating Hokule'a's effective and safe steering system — large paddles that reach down through the deck into the ocean — that is still used to this day.
After the 1976 voyage, Kuahula volunteered his time to care for Hokule'a. Earlier this year he helped prepare the voyaging canoe to its trip to Micronesia and Japan.
