Nā ʻAumākua
Nā ʻAumākua
o Ka Waʻa
The names engraved on Hōkūleʻa are some of the people whose shoulders we all – crew and ʻohana to the waʻa alike – stand upon. The crew on Hōkūleʻa’s original voyages are also integral to her foundation and her history. They are the ones who lifted the canoe in the beginning and throughout the canoe’s history. We honor the folks who carried the burden from the beginning when others had lost hope, were arguing, and walking away. They carried the burden in a time when the canoe was just proving herself and folks didn’t believe she had value. Because of their aloha for waʻa, wayfaring, ʻike, and Hawaiʻi, Hōkūleʻa has voyaged and inspired for decades. This space recognizes and honors them, inviting us all to learn more and continue their legacy and dedication to the waʻa.
As part of an ongoing project that will continue through the Moananuiākea Voyage, PVS is capturing the contributions of almost 150 people—some of whom are recognized by name on Hōkūleʻa—to ensure their stories are forever part of her legacy.
The Navigators
Nainoa (Thompson)
Nā ‘Aumākua
Elemakule 
Elemakule II
Kapu Na Keiki
Lacy (Veach)
K‘oo Del Ta (Byron Mallott)
Tommy (Holmes)
Kawainui
Kualoa
"Mau" (Piailug)
Pi‘imauna
Eddie Aikau
Kamu‘ookalani
Wally (Froiseth)
Rudy (Choy)
Moku (Froiseth)
Paige (Barber)
Nā ʻAumākua
- Kūaliʻi
- Ilima Piʻianaiʻa
- Sonny Hugho
- Bill & Bella Richards
- Dr. Pat Piʻimauna Aiu
- Tautira ʻOhana
- Gilbert Ane
- Dixon Stroup
- Tiger Espere
- Robert Van Dorpe
- Aunty Clara Manisi
- Papa Abraham Moses
- John Wittenberg
- Homer Hayes
- Kalehua Ham Young
- Eli Witt
- Bobo Ham Young
- Chris Baird
- Ernie Cruz, Jr.
- Vitorria “Vickie” Lyman
- Ines Teave
- Patrick Cheung
- Ernie Hillman
- Kealoha Hoe
- Foo Lim
- Bill Pulaski
- Bob Bee
- Dr. Charmin Akina
- Gina Harding
- Mike Higgins
- Tim Guard
- Fred Robins
- Milton Kanehe
- Col. Mike Taylor
- Michael “Buddy” McGuire
- Dr. Emmett Aluli
- Patti- Ann Solomon
- Hutch & Gloria Hunt
- Princess Kekaulike Kawānanakoa
- Jin Tatsumuru
- Mahine Tauotaha
- Carlos Andrade
- Keliʻi Tauʻā – Kumu
- Rapiy
- Solomon Aikau
- John Keola Lake – Kumu
The Navigators
- Pele
- Hawai’iloa
- Moʻikeha
- Paumakua
- Herb Kāne -Founder
- Tommy Holmes – Founder
- Dr. Ben Finney – Founder
- Sam Kalalau
- Dave Lyman – Capt.
- Rodo Williams – Pilot
- D. “Dukie” Kuahulu
- Dr. David Lewis
- “Mau” Piailug – Palu
- Clifford Ah Mow
- Kawika Kapahulehua – Capt.
- Pomaikaʻi Kawananakoa
- G. “Boogie “Kalama
- Keani Kruse
- Andy Espirito
- Mel Kinney
- Francis “Kainoa” Lee
- Paige Barber
- M/M Abraham Piʻianaiʻa
- Rudy Choy
- Curt Ashford – Kalai wa’a
- Dr. Kenneth Emory
- Rev. Edward Kealanahele
- Wright & Betty Bowman – Kālai wa’a
- Wrighto Bowman – kālai waʻa
- M. “Pinky” & Laura Thompson
- J. “Clorinda” Lucas
- Sir Hector & Hilda Busby – Pwo/ Kālai wa’ a
- Will & Lee Kyselka
- Francis Iʻi Brown
- Tutaha Salmon – Tautira
- Kenneth F. Brown
- Leinaʻala Kalama-Heine
- Wally & Moku Froiseth – Capt./Kalai waʻa
- Alex & Elise Jakubenko – Escort Capt.
- August Yee
- Alban Ellocott – Tainui
- Roland Cazimero
- Katherine Luomala
- Bobby Pfeiffer
- Leon Paoa Sterling – Capt.
- Joanne Kahanamoku
- Eddie Aikau
- Kaʻau McKenney
- F. “Puaniho” Tauataha – Kālai waʻa
- Dione Taupeamuhu – pilot
- Sir James Henare – Aotearoa
- Tupi Puriri – Aotearoa
- Sir Tom Davis – Capt./ Rarotonga
- Clayton Bertlemann – Capt.
- Dan Wright – escort capt.
- Judson Brown – Alaska
- Papa “Nico” Haoa – Rapa Nui
- Bob Worthington
- Mike Tongg – Capt.
- Lacy Veach
- Ropi Kimitete – Nuku Hiva
- Sane Matehau – Tautira
- Mel Paoa Jr. – Capt.
- Byron Mallott – Alaska
- Chad “Kālepa” Baybayan
- Faleomavaega E. Hunkin – Samoa
- Piripi Evans – Pwo
- Jimmy Shizuru – kālai waʻa
- Desmond Tutu
'76 Crew
- Tommy Holmes
- Sam Kalalau
- Dave “Kimo” Lyman – Capt.
- Rodo Williams
- Dr. David Lewis
- Clifford Ah Mow
- Kawika Kapahulehua
- G. “Boogie “Kalama
- Keani Kruse
- Andy Espirito
- Mel Kinney
- Francis “Kainoa” Lee
- Shorty Bertelmann
- John Kruse
- Dukie Kuahulu
- Billy Richards
- Snake Ah Hee
- Gordon Pi`ianai`a
- Leonard Puputauiki
- Penny Rawlins
- Nainoa Thompson
- Maka`ala Yates
- Dr. Ben Young
- Buffalo Keaulana
- Dr. Ben Finney
- “Mau” Piailug – Palu
'80 Crew
- Dr. Pat Piʻimauna Aiu
- Michael “Buddy” McGuire
- Dave “Kimo” Lyman
- Francis “Kainoa” Lee
- Leon Paoa Sterling
- Mike Tongg
- Shorty Bertelmann
- John Kruse
- Snake Ah Hee
- Gordon Pi`ianai`a
- Nainoa Thompson
- Marion Lyman-Mersereau
- Steve Somsen
- Nathan Wong
- Jo-Anne Sterling
- Tava Taupu
- Wedemeyer Au
- Bruce Blankenfeld
- “Mau” Piailug – Palu
- Chad “Kālepa” Baybayan
The Navigators
Nainoa (Thompson)
Nā ‘Aumākua
Elemakule
Elemakule II
Kapu Na Keiki
Lacy (Veach)
K‘oo Del Ta (Byron Mallott)
Tommy (Holmes)
Kawainui
Kualoa
"Mau" (Piailug)
Pi‘imauna
Eddie Aikau
Kamu‘ookalani
Wally (Froiseth)
Rudy (Choy)
Moku (Froiseth)
Paige (Barber)
Too see all the names on the wa‘a, please revisit this page on a tablet, laptop or desktop.
Nā ʻAumākua
- Kūaliʻi
- Ilima Piʻianaiʻa
- Sonny Hugho
- Bill & Bella Richards
- Dr. Pat Piʻimauna Aiu
- Tautira ʻOhana
- Gilbert Ane
- Dixon Stroup
- Clemente “Tiger” Espere
- Robert Van Dorpe
- Aunty Clara Manisi
- Papa Abraham Moses
- John Wittenberg
- Homer Hayes
- Kalehua Ham Young
- Eli Witt
- Bobo Ham Young
- Chris Baird
- Ernie Cruz, Jr.
- Vitorria “Vickie” Lyman
- Ines Teave
- Patrick Cheung
- Ernie Hillman
- Kealoha Hoe
- Foo Lim
- Bill Pulaski
- Bob Bee
- Dr. Charmin Akina
- Gina Harding
- Mike Higgins
- Tim Guard
- Fred Robins
- Milton Kanehe
- Col. Mike Taylor
- Michael “Buddy” McGuire
- Dr. Emmett Aluli
- Patti- Ann Solomon
- Hutch & Gloria Hunt
- Princess Kekaulike Kawānanakoa
- Jin Tatsumuru
- Mahine Tauotaha
- Carlos Andrade
- Keliʻi Tauʻā – Kumu
- Rapiy
- Solomon Aikau
- John Keola Lake – Kumu
The Navigators
- Pele
- Hawai’iloa
- Moʻikeha
- Paumakua
- Herb Kāne -Founder
- Tommy Holmes – Founder
- Dr. Ben Finney – Founder
- Sam Kalalau
- Dave Lyman – Capt.
- Rodo Williams – Pilot
- D. “Dukie” Kuahulu
- Dr. David Lewis
- “Mau” Piailug – Palu
- Clifford Ah Mow
- Kawika Kapahulehua – Capt.
- Pomaikaʻi Kawananakoa
- G. “Boogie “Kalama
- Keani Kruse
- Andy Espirito
- Mel Kinney
- Francis “Kainoa” Lee
- Paige Barber
- M/M Abraham Piʻianaiʻa
- Rudy Choy
- Curt Ashford – Kalai wa’a
- Dr. Kenneth Emory
- Rev. Edward Kealanahele
- Wright & Betty Bowman – Kālai wa’a
- Wrighto Bowman – kālai waʻa
- M. “Pinky” & Laura Thompson
- J. “Clorinda” Lucas
- Sir Hector & Hilda Busby – Pwo/ Kālai wa’ a
- Will & Lee Kyselka
- Francis Iʻi Brown
- Tutaha Salmon – Tautira
- Kenneth F. Brown
- Leinaʻala Kalama-Heine
- Wally & Moku Froiseth – Capt./Kalai waʻa
- Alex & Elise Jakubenko – Escort Capt.
- August Yee
- Alban Ellocott – Tainui
- Roland Cazimero
- Katherine Luomala
- Bobby Pfeiffer
- Leon Paoa Sterling – Capt.
- Joanne Kahanamoku
- Eddie Aikau
- Kaʻau McKenney
- F. “Puaniho” Tauataha – Kālai waʻa
- Dione Taupeamuhu – pilot
- Sir James Henare – Aotearoa
- Tupi Puriri – Aotearoa
- Sir Tom Davis – Capt./ Rarotonga
- Clayton Bertlemann – Capt.
- Dan Wright – escort capt.
- Judson Brown – Alaska
- Papa “Nico” Haoa – Rapa Nui
- Bob Worthington
- Mike Tongg – Capt.
- Lacy Veach
- Ropi Kimitete – Nuku Hiva
- Sane Matehau – Tautira
- Mel Paoa Jr. – Capt.
- Byron Mallott – Alaska
- Chad “Kālepa” Baybayan
- Faleomavaega E. Hunkin – Samoa
- Piripi Evans – Pwo
- Jimmy Shizuru – kālai waʻa
- Desmond Tutu
'76 Crew
- Tommy Holmes
- Sam Kalalau
- Dave “Kimo” Lyman – Capt.
- Rodo Williams
- Dr. David Lewis
- Clifford Ah Mow
- Kawika Kapahulehua
- G. “Boogie “Kalama
- Keani Kruse
- Andy Espirito
- Mel Kinney
- Francis “Kainoa” Lee
- Shorty Bertelmann
- John Kruse
- Dukie Kuahulu
- Billy Richards
- Snake Ah Hee
- Gordon Pi`ianai`a
- Leonard Puputauiki
- Penny Rawlins
- Nainoa Thompson
- Maka`ala Yates
- Dr. Ben Young
- Buffalo Keaulana
- Dr. Ben Finney
- “Mau” Piailug – Palu
'80 Crew
- Dr. Pat Piʻimauna Aiu
- Michael “Buddy” McGuire
- Dave “Kimo” Lyman
- Francis “Kainoa” Lee
- Leon Paoa Sterling
- Mike Tongg
- Shorty Bertelmann
- John Kruse
- Snake Ah Hee
- Gordon Pi`ianai`a
- Nainoa Thompson
- Marion Lyman-Mersereau
- Steve Somsen
- Nathan Wong
- Jo-Anne Sterling
- Tava Taupu
- Wedemeyer Au
- Bruce Blankenfeld
- “Mau” Piailug – Palu
- Chad “Kālepa” Baybayan
The Navigators
South Carolina Data Center
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South Carolina Data Center
Item content. Click the edit button to change this text.
South Carolina Data Center
Item content. Click the edit button to change this text.
Nā ʻAumākua
- Kūaliʻi
- Ilima Piʻianaiʻa
- Sonny Hugho
- Bill & Bella Richards
- Dr. Pat Piʻimauna Aiu
- Tautira ʻOhana
- Gilbert Ane
- Dixon Stroup
- Tiger Espere
- Robert Van Dorpe
- Aunty Clara Manisi
- Papa Abraham Moses
- John Wittenberg
- Homer Hayes
- Kalehua Ham Young
- Eli Witt
- Bobo Ham Young
- Chris Baird
- Ernie Cruz, Jr.
- Vitorria “Vickie” Lyman
- Ines Teave
- Patrick Cheung
- Ernie Hillman
- Kealoha Hoe
- Foo Lim
- Bill Pulaski
- Bob Bee
- Dr. Charmin Akina
- Gina Harding
- Mike Higgins
- Tim Guard
- Fred Robins
- Milton Kanehe
- Col. Mike Taylor
- Michael “Buddy” McGuire
- Dr. Emmett Aluli
- Patti- Ann Solomon
- Hutch & Gloria Hunt
- Princess Kekaulike Kawānanakoa
- Jin Tatsumuru
- Mahine Tauotaha
- Carlos Andrade
- Keliʻi Tauʻā – Kumu
- Rapiy
- Solomon Aikau
- John Keola Lake – Kumu
The Navigators
- Pele
- Hawai’iloa
- Moʻikeha
- Paumakua
- Herb Kāne -Founder
- Tommy Holmes – Founder
- Dr. Ben Finney – Founder
- Sam Kalalau
- Dave Lyman – Capt.
- Rodo Williams – Pilot
- D. “Dukie” Kuahulu
- Dr. David Lewis
- “Mau” Piailug – Palu
- Clifford Ah Mow
- Kawika Kapahulehua – Capt.
- Pomaikaʻi Kawananakoa
- G. “Boogie “Kalama
- Keani Kruse
- Andy Espirito
- Mel Kinney
- Francis “Kainoa” Lee
- Paige Barber
- M/M Abraham Piʻianaiʻa
- Rudy Choy
- Curt Ashford – Kalai wa’a
- Dr. Kenneth Emory
- Rev. Edward Kealanahele
- Wright & Betty Bowman – Kālai wa’a
- Wrighto Bowman – kālai waʻa
- M. “Pinky” & Laura Thompson
- J. “Clorinda” Lucas
- Sir Hector & Hilda Busby – Pwo/ Kālai wa’ a
- Will & Lee Kyselka
- Francis Iʻi Brown
- Tutaha Salmon – Tautira
- Kenneth F. Brown
- Leinaʻala Kalama-Heine
- Wally & Moku Froiseth – Capt./Kalai waʻa
- Alex & Elise Jakubenko – Escort Capt.
- August Yee
- Alban Ellocott – Tainui
- Roland Cazimero
- Katherine Luomala
- Bobby Pfeiffer
- Leon Paoa Sterling – Capt.
- Joanne Kahanamoku
- Eddie Aikau
- Kaʻau McKenney
- F. “Puaniho” Tauataha – Kālai waʻa
- Dione Taupeamuhu – pilot
- Sir James Henare – Aotearoa
- Tupi Puriri – Aotearoa
- Sir Tom Davis – Capt./ Rarotonga
- Clayton Bertlemann – Capt.
- Dan Wright – escort capt.
- Judson Brown – Alaska
- Papa “Nico” Haoa – Rapa Nui
- Bob Worthington
- Mike Tongg – Capt.
- Lacy Veach
- Ropi Kimitete – Nuku Hiva
- Sane Matehau – Tautira
- Mel Paoa Jr. – Capt.
- Byron Mallott – Alaska
- Chad “Kālepa” Baybayan
- Faleomavaega E. Hunkin – Samoa
- Piripi Evans – Pwo
- Jimmy Shizuru – kālai waʻa
- Desmond Tutu
'76 Crew
- Tommy Holmes
- Sam Kalalau
- Dave “Kimo” Lyman – Capt.
- Rodo Williams
- Dr. David Lewis
- Clifford Ah Mow
- Kawika Kapahulehua
- G. “Boogie “Kalama
- Keani Kruse
- Andy Espirito
- Mel Kinney
- Francis “Kainoa” Lee
- Shorty Bertelmann
- John Kruse
- Dukie Kuahulu
- Billy Richards
- Snake Ah Hee
- Gordon Pi`ianai`a
- Leonard Puputauiki
- Penny Rawlins
- Nainoa Thompson
- Maka`ala Yates
- Dr. Ben Young
- Buffalo Keaulana
- Dr. Ben Finney
- “Mau” Piailug – Palu
'80 Crew
- Dr. Pat Piʻimauna Aiu
- Michael “Buddy” McGuire
- Dave “Kimo” Lyman
- Francis “Kainoa” Lee
- Leon Paoa Sterling
- Mike Tongg
- Shorty Bertelmann
- John Kruse
- Snake Ah Hee
- Gordon Pi`ianai`a
- Nainoa Thompson
- Marion Lyman-Mersereau
- Steve Somsen
- Nathan Wong
- Jo-Anne Sterling
- Tava Taupu
- Wedemeyer Au
- Bruce Blankenfeld
- “Mau” Piailug – Palu
- Chad “Kālepa” Baybayan
