U.S. Congressman Kaialiʻi Kahele (HI-02) issued the following statement today on the passing of Pwo Master Navigator Chad Kālepa Baybayan:
“A pwo master navigator, educator and explorer, Kāpena (Captain) Chad Kālepa Baybayan’s mission was to expand the knowledge of Native Hawaiians by looking to the stars. It was with great sadness that I received word that Kālepa has passed away at age 65.
“Kālepa has been an instrumental crew member of the Hōkūleʻa dating back to 1975, when he was just 19 years old. Kālepa saw the Hōkūleʻa as a symbol of the accomplishments of the Native Hawaiian people in the face of great adversity, and a promise for all that is possible. Kālepa’s legacy will live on through the thousands of children throughout Hawaiʻi and the world that he inspired to look to the heavens and dream that anything is possible.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, the Polynesian Voyaging Society, and ʻohana waʻa whose lives he touched with his spirit of aloha. Thank you Kālepa for your contributions to our community and for your unwavering voice for all that you believed in.”