7/13/2007: 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.