attempted to paddle a surfboard to Lānai for help. About nine hours later, flares launched by the crew were spotted by a Hawaiian Airlines flight which circled Hōkūlea and radioed the United States Coast Guard ("USCG"). Half an hour later, a USCG search and rescue helicopter was hovering overhead; Hōkūlea crew was rescued. The following morning, the towed the vessel, from 22 miles southwest of Lāau Point, Molokai, back to Honolulu. Despite intensive land, air and sea search, Eddie Aikau was never seen again. Hōkūlea carries a plaque in his memory. Subsequent voyages were accompanied by an escort vessel. Ala Wai Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii, bound for Papeete, Tahiti, : 16 March 1978 to 18 March 1978 (recovery followed by USCG investigation) Navigator: Nainoa Thompson; Captain: Dave Lyman; First Mate: Leon Paoa Sterling*; "Snake" Ah Hee, Edward Ryon Makua Hanai "Eddie" Aikau*, Charman Akina, M.D., Wedemeyer Au, Bruce Blankenfeld, Kilila Hugho, Sam Kaai, John Kruse, Marion Lyman, Buddy McGuire, Norman Piianaia, Curt Sumida, Teikiheepo "Tava" Taupu. Tahiti voyage (1980) After the 1978 disaster, Mau returned and gave Nainoa further training on traditional navigation techniques. In 1980, Nainoa Thompson recreated the 1976 voyage to Tahiti to become the first Native Hawaiian in modern times to navigate a canoe thousands of miles without instruments. Mau sailed as an observer. After 29 days at sea, before sighting Mataiva on the way to Tahiti, Mau offered Nainoa only one correction; of Nainoa's interpretation of sighting a land-based seabird in mid-morning flight. Such birds generally fly seaward for food at morning and return to land in the evening. While it can usually be assumed that land lies opposite the birds' morning flight direction, this bird spotted mid-morning (during nesting season), carried a fish in its beak. This detail suggested to Mau that the bird's morning flight was not away from land but toward it. The bird was not flying seaward to find more fish, but rather, was returning to land, to feed its young. Leading up to the voyage, an extensive, formal crew training program helped to ensure a safe voyage. Escort boat Ishka followed for safety. Hilo, Hawaii Island, – Papeete, Tahiti, Society Islands, : 15 March 1980 to 17 April 1980 Navigator: Nainoa Thompson; Captain: Gordon Piianaia; Chad Kalepa Baybayan, "Shorty" Bertelmann, Harry Ho, Sam Kaai, Michael "Buddy" McGuire, Marion Lyman-Mersereau, Mau Piailug, Steve Somsen, Joanne Kahanamoku Sterling*, Leon Paoa Sterling, "Tava" Taupu; Patrick