[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 68 (Tuesday, April 20, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H1960]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1030
          HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CHAD KALEPA BAYBAYAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Hawaii (Mr. Kahele) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker:
  (English translation of the statement made in Hawaiian by Mr. Kahele 
is as follows:)
  The dark, clouded heavens weep. The spirit has embarked on the path 
with no return.

     Ua kani mai ka papa wa`a
     Ua ue ka lani po panopano
     Ua lele ka `uhane i ke ala ho`i`ole mai

  Madam Speaker, I stand before you today to share with you and the 
Nation the sad news of the passing of a great navigator, leader, 
educator, and friend, Chad Kalepa Baybayan.
  On March 8, 1975, the deep-sea voyaging canoe Hokule`a was launched. 
Born of legends and stories brought to life through the paintings of 
the acclaimed Hawaiian artist Herb Kane, it was the first Hawaiian 
voyaging canoe to sail Hawaii's waters in over 600 years and became a 
catalyst for Hawaiian pride and identity during the Hawaiian 
renaissance.
  At the age of 19, Kalepa's first connection to Hokule`a was on the 
shores of his home island of Maui in 1975 during Hokule`a's sail trials 
and crew training. This first connection inspired him and forever 
changed his life. He has diligently served the voyaging movement ever 
since, learning, growing, then mastering and teaching the next 
generation of navigators.
  Kalepa also believed deeply in the importance of education as a 
vessel to expand the reach of voyaging, and the legacy of education his 
kupuna and lahui, his ancestors and nation, left for him to continue.
  Kalepa obtained a bachelor's in Hawaiian studies and a master's in 
education, all while being intimately involved with voyaging and 
wayfinding. He was fluent in `olelo Hawaii and had a firm belief that 
indigenous knowledge guiding modern technologies will hold the answers 
to many of the challenges facing our world today.
  In his professional career, Kalepa served as the site director of 
Honukai, the exploration sciences division of the `Aha Punana Leo, 
where his dedication to his language, culture, and love of voyaging 
inspired him to build the first Hawaiian language voyaging canoe, 
Hokualaka`i, that touched hundreds of students and introduced them to 
voyaging through the perspective of his native tongue.
  Kalepa then went on to serve as the first-ever navigator in residence 
at the `Imiloa Astronomy Center at UH Hilo, which he helped to 
establish. His work at `Imiloa also allowed him to engage in the 
international indigenous education movement while also engaging in the 
various sciences, bringing the knowledge of his people to the world.
  Kalepa was one of just five Native Hawaiian navigators inducted into 
the rank of Pwo by the late Satawalese Master Navigator Pius ``Mau'' 
Piailug in 2007. When asked about the kuleana, or responsibilities of 
being a Pwo master navigator, Kalepa would always simply state that 
being Pwo is being a light for your community and for your people.
  Most recently, Kalepa was key to the success of the World Wide 
Voyage, which took the voyaging canoe Hokule`a around the world on 31 
legs to over 150 ports in 18 nations and to these very shores of 
Washington, D.C., in May 2016, bringing attention to the health of the 
oceans, its people, and the need for a more sustainable world.
  Kalepa crewed 18 of the 31 legs of this 3-year voyage and, over his 
career, logged more miles voyaging than any other crewmember in the 
nearly five-decade history of the Polynesian voyaging canoe Hokule`a.
  Kalepa was first and foremost a dedicated and loving husband, son, 
sibling, father, and grandfather who sought tirelessly to do his part 
in creating a better world for his `ohana, his family, and for all 
children of the world. His unwavering commitment to being a light to 
his community and his desire to make this world a better place has 
always shone forth.
  I say to my colleagues that Kalepa is a prime example of the type of 
leader we should all aspire to be, one who inspires others to action 
while at the same time creating opportunities, oftentimes when they 
least expect it, for them to fulfill their responsibilities to their 
communities.
  Madam Speaker, on April 8, 2021, Kalepa took his final voyage from 
this earthly realm, e ola mau loa ka inoa `o Chad Kalepa Baybayan. His 
legacy will live on. May we learn from this legacy of service as we 
lead this Nation and navigate the waters ahead. Mahalo.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Hawaii will provide a 
translation of his remarks to the Clerk.

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