PATRICK AIU / 1939-2002
LIHUE >> Dr. Patrick Koon Hung Piimauna Charles Aiu, a physician on Kauai and Niihau for more than 30 years, the first ship's doctor on the voyaging canoe Hokule'a, retired National Guard colonel and accomplished guitarist, died Monday on Oahu at age 63. Native Hawaiian doctor
served on Hokule‘a voyages
See also: Obituaries
By Anthony Sommer
tsommer@starbulletin.comThe youngest of eight children, Aiu was born on Kauai on Sept. 14, 1939, and grew up in Wailua Houselots on Kauai's East Shore.
He graduated from Kapaa High School and attended several universities, ultimately graduating from the UCLA medical school in 1964.
After serving three years as an Army doctor in Germany, Aiu returned to Kauai and became the first obstetrical/gynecological specialist on the island, his family said. He visited Niihau regularly and retired from his medical practice three years ago.
As a pioneer native Hawaiian physician, he received the 1998 Kaionohi Award for Outstanding Contributions in Hawaiian Health.
He also served as a member of the state Board of Medical Examiners and remained in the Hawaii National Guard until his retirement.
Aiu sailed aboard the Hokule'a on its first trip to Tahiti in 1980. Later he sailed on several legs of the Hokule'a's two-year "Voyage of Rediscovery." He considered his voyages to be among his proudest accomplishments.
In 1999, Aiu and two fellow Hokule'a crew members, John Kruse and Dennis Chuan, began building a voyaging canoe, Na Mahoe, for Kauai.
To fund the project, Aiu started the Na Pali outrigger canoe race, which has been broadcast worldwide and has become an annual event.
Aiu's ashes will be brought from Oahu to Kauai aboard the voyaging canoe Hawai'i Loa by master navigator Nainoa Thompson, with whom Aiu sailed to Tahiti.
Family visitation is scheduled from 9 to 10:45 a.m. next Friday, with services from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Kapaa. His ashes will be scattered at sea from the Hawai'i Loa, after which friends and family will gather at the Kauai Veterans Center in Lihue.
Dr. Aiu is survived by wife Mavis Dew Aiu, six children, three grandchildren and five brother and sisters. His family has requested friends provide leis to be scattered with his ashes.
