We are very sad to say that we have lost Mike Tongg--a great voyager and canoe paddler, a great ocean man, president of the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association, former president of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and dear friend to many. Mike passed away at home this afternoon. Mike was a veteran Hokule'a crew member, watch captain, and captain: 1980 Tahiti to Hawai'i; 1985 Tahiti to Cook Islands, Cook Islands to Aotearoa; 1986 Aotearoa to Tonga, Tonga to Samoa, Cook Islands to Tahiti; 1987 Tahiti to Rangiroa, Rangiroa to Hawai'i; 1992 Cook Islands to Hawai'i; 1995 Hawai'i to Tahiti, Nukuhiva to Hawai'i; 1995: West Coast; 1999 Mangareva to Rapanui. Services have not been planned yet, but we will pass on the information as soon as we hear. Aloha, Kathy.

wow, when dennis chun came back from the meeting in honolulu on saturday, to let namahoe builders know that mike had passed,i thought about all the times together in our lives that we're family first and formost we're here for a short time. when terry took snake & family & myself up to niu valley, mike gave a gift to present to mau in satawal in march & after the time in satawal i called jan & i got to say goodbye to mike, boy, that was hard, you see, i remember mike from the third grade at bingham tract kindergarden school, we were in the same class also david lymann was in that class & our principal was mrs. akina. she was charmain akina's mom. our teacher was mrs mary, but we remembered her as the "sarge" or the white knuckle ruler lady,yikes, so good memories, or how bout mike sent a picture for my wedding and gave it to keani, kepa(son) & i share that private moment, you go bradah, me kealoha pumehana to your family auwe! auwe! auwe!

I'm looking at a picture of Uncle Michael Tongg and myself sailing on the Hokule'a which was published in our alma mater alumni newsletter (California Western School of Law in San Diego) some 12 years ago with an article I wrote about his life - balancing his passion for the ocean, the Pacific Islands and family with a Western legal career. Uncle Mike is a hard act to follow, but what a role model he is! Rest in peace, Uncle Mike. We are Blessed to have known you.