The Pioneers

Founders and early pioneers of the Polynesian Voyaging Society

Herb Kane, Ben Finney and Tommy Holmes founded the Polynesian Voyaging Society in 1973 to build a deep-sea canoe to sail from Hawaii to Tahiti and back. This trio and several others were instrumental in advancing the vision of canoe voyaging.

Herb Kane, 78, native Hawaiian artist and co-founder of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, was the general designer and construction supervisor for Hokule'a.

Ben Finney, 72, cultural anthropologist and co-founder of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, recruited and supervised the training of the Hokule'a crew.

Tommy Holmes, 1945-1993, a freelance writer, was a co-founder of the Polynesian Voyaging Society.

Kawika Kapahulehua, a Niihau native who speaks fluent Hawaiian, served as the canoe's captain.

Mau Piailug, 74, Satawal, Micronesian Islander, was the navigator on the historic trip to Tahiti and later was mentor to future Hawaiian navigators.

Myron "Pinky" Thompson, 1924-2001, was instrumental in laying the foundation for future ocean journeys by the Polynesian Voyaging Society.

Nainoa Thompson, 53, and Myron's son, became in 1980 the first native Hawaiian in centuries to navigate a voyaging canoe from Hawaii to Tahiti.

Eddie Aikau, 1946-1978, renowned big-wave surfer, was lost after the Hokule'a was swamped on a 1978 voyage. His devotion inspired others to continue sailing.

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In Honor

The first Hokule'a crew

A list of those who served aboard the Hokule'a on its first voyage to and from Hawaii and Tahiti. An asterisk denotes those who are deceased.

Mau Piailug, Satawal, Micronesia
Clifford Ah Mow, Honolulu
Shorty Bertelmann, Waimea, Hawaii
Ben Finney, Honolulu
Sam Kalalau, Hana, Maui
Boogie Kalama, Keaau, Hawaii
Kawika Kapahuelehua, Honolulu
Buffalo Keaulana, Waianae
John Kruse, Koloa, Kauai
Leonard Puputauiki, Tahiti
Dukie Kuahulu, Honolulu
Billy Richards, Honolulu
Snake Ah Hee, Lahaina, Maui
Kainoa Lee, Waimea, Hawaii
Kimo Lyman, Haleiwa
Gordon Pi'ianai'i, Honolulu
Penny Rawlins Martin, Kalamaula, Molokai
Maka'ala Yates, Oregon
Ben Young, Honolulu
David Lewis, New Zealand*
Nainoa Thompson, Honolulu
Mel Kinney, Honolulu
Tommy Holmes, Honolulu*
Dave Lyman, Honolulu*
Rodo Williams, Tahiti*
Andy Espirto, Honolulu*
Keani Reiner, Lihue, Kauai*