Photo from “Pictures of a Lifetime, Photos by Kathryn Bender” Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Tuesday, December 28, 1999. Caption: "Aboard the Hokule'a, Kawika Kapahulehua chants a request to approach Te Ava Mo'a." Te Ava Mo'a is the sacred pass through the reef, leading to the marae of Taputapuatea, one of the most sacred in all of Polynesia, located on the island of Ra'iatea, in Tahiti Nui.

Kawika Kapahulehua was the captain of Hokule'a on her historic first voyage from Hawai'i to Tahiti in 1976. Mau Piailug was the navigator. Kawika passed away on May 17, 2007, during Hokule'a tenth major voyage, to Micronesia and Japan. The shoulders of courageous and visionary giants like Kawika have provided the firm foundation for the perpetuation of Hokule'a's achievements.

Kawika was fascinated with sailing since age 18. Raised briefly on Ni'ihau, he was also a native speaker of Hawaiian. After retirement, he turned his attention to teaching Hawaiian language, culture, values, and traditions, including ocean navigating techniques.