B. K. "Dave" Lyman III*, William "Billy" Richards, Rodo Tuku Williams.* Papeete, Tahiti, – Hawaii, 5 July 1976 to 26 July 1976 The crew for the return voyage was: Navigator: James "Kimo" Lyman; Captain: "Kawika" Kapahulehua; Crew: Abraham "Snake" Ah Hee, Andy Espirto*, Mel Kinney, Francis Kainoa Lee, Gordon Piianaia, Leonard Puputauiki, Penny Rawlins, Keani Reiner*, Charles Nainoa "Nainoa" Thompson, Maka'ala Yates, Ben Young. Kealaikahiki project (1977) In English, the Hawaiian "Ke ala i kahiki" means "the path to Tahiti." The "Kealaikahiki Project" recreated the traditional Kealaikahiki Point departure of ancient voyages to Tahiti. Gordon Piianaia's idea to recreate traditional departures took Hōkūlea southeast, across Kealaikahiki Channel between Lānai and Kahoolawe Islands, past Kealaikahiki Point, into the Alenuihāhā Channel and the northeast trade winds. The object was to determine whether Hōkūlea, departing from west of the 1976 departure point, would bisect the more easterly 1976 voyage track, and so likely reach Tahiti were it to continue. After heading south for two days, Hōkūlea did not bisect the 1976 voyage track, but likely would have (further south than anticipated). It came about and returned to Hawaii. The traditional departure point would be used for subsequent sailings to Tahiti. Legs Honolulu, Oahu – Manele Bay, Lānai – Kealaikahiki Point, Kahoolawe, Hawaii (map), – a point at sea, ninety miles south of Ka Lae, Hawaii Island – Honolulu, Hawaii, : 1 April 1977 to 10 April 1977 Crew Navigator: Nainoa Thompson; Captain: Dave Lyman; Crew: Teené Froiseth, Sam Kaai, Sam Kalalau, John Kruse, "Kimo" Lyman, Jerome "Jerry" Muller, Gordon Piianaia, Norman Piianaia, Michael A. Tongg*, Makaala Yates Tahiti voyage (1978) Following the 1976 voyage, Nainoa Thompson attempted to teach himself how to navigate without instruments, using only the position of stars and ocean cues, based on information he learned from books, planetarium observations, and short voyages in Hawaiian waters. In 1978, the crew of Hōkūlea attempted a second voyage to Tahiti, which was aborted when Hōkūlea capsized in high wind and seas southwest of the Island of Molokai, five hours after departing Honolulu's Ala Wai Harbor. The crew hung on to the capsized canoe through the night. Flares were unseen by passing aircraft; the emergency radio reached no help. By mid-morning, with no sign of imminent rescue and the capsized canoe drifting farther from land, Eddie Aikau, a North Shore, Oahu, lifeguard of the year, 1977 Duke Kahanamoku champion and big-wave surfer, valiantly