Updated at 4:04 p.m., Sunday, June 3, 2007
Hokule'a's first captain remembered at memorial
Advertiser Staff
Dozens of friends and relatives of Elia David Ku'ualoha Kawika Kapahulehua, captain of the historic maiden voyage of the Hokule'a to Tahiti in 1976, came to Waikiki today to pay tribute to him, remembering the expert mariner as a treasured and respected proponent and teacher of his Native Hawaiianheritage.
The memorial service was held at the Waikiki Elks Lodge, with the ocean where he spent much of his life serving as a fitting backdrop.
Kapahulehua died May 17 at the age of 76. He was best known for leading the crew of the Hokule'a on its 1976 voyage, overcoming stormy weather and crew unrest to successfully complete the first canoe passage to Tahiti in about 600 years.
