Kawika Kapahulehua

Elia Kawika David Kuʻualoha Kapahulehua (July 13, 1930 – May 17, 2007) was a Hawaiian sailor who was the first to captain an ocean-voyaging canoe from Hawaii to Tahiti in modern times.

Kapahulehua was born on Niʻihau, in 1930 and picked up the name "Kawika" as a young adult crewing catamarans on Waikiki Beach.

[1] The famed 1976 voyage of the Hōkūleʻa was beset with problems,[2] but ultimately successful.

While navigator Mau 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.