Elia Kawika David Kuualoha 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.

Background

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

Major accomplishments

The famed 1976 voyage of the Hōkūleʻa was beset with problems, but ultimately successful. The goal was to see if a 62 foot, two-masted canoe that approximated ancient canoes could be sailed without navigational equipment on the 2250 nmi journey. 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.

Later life

In later life, he taught the Hawaiian language, wrote vocabulary books, and officiated at traditional Hawaiian rites. Kapahulehua died in Honolulu, Hawaii.