'Ohana Wa'a Punahou

Nainoa Thompson ‘72, is a master of Navigation, President of the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS), and a driving force behind Hōkūle’a. He led Hōkūle’a's Worldwide Voyage and joined the crew on eight of the 20 legs. He is the son of Laura Thompson and Pinky Thompson, former members of the board of the PVS. Thompson has made a name for himself, not only within the voyaging community, as a maestro of voyaging and as an influential member of the community.

Starr Johnson, class of 1998, first started her work with the Hōkūle’a in high school when she volunteered by packaging food for the Rapa Nui journey. She is currently teaching at Punahou and is “humbled, honored and feels blessed to have the opportunity to serve as a crew member on the Worldwide Voyage.”

Laura Thompson was a member of the class of 1943 and the wife of Myron “Pinky” Thompson. Laura and Pinky began their journey together in the 9th grade at Punahou School when Laura introduced herself through a passed note. During her life, she proved to be a philanthropist through her work with the Alu Like, Kahala Nui, Papa Ola Lōkahi, Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center, Hawaiʻi Island Humane Society, American Humane Association, the Latham Foundation (Alameda, CA), The Nature Conservancy, Hui Nalu Canoe Club, Hawaiʻi Nature Center, The Outdoor Circle, Planned Parenthood of Hawaiʻi, Parents and Children Together, the YWCA, Pālama Settlement, Zoo Hui, and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Advisory Council. She passed away in 2020 at the age of 95 but her legacy will always be remembered.

Pinky Thompson was a member of the class of 1943. He was married to Laura Thompson and the father of Nainoa Thompson. He was also the first president of the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS), a role that his son later assumed. Though Thompson is remembered for his work with the Hōkūle’a and PVS, he is also known as a social worker who advocated for Native Hawaiians’ wellbeing. He held positions as a trustee for Kamehameha Schools and as an aid to the President of the University of Hawaii. Pinky Thompson passed away in 2001 on Christmas day but his legacy continues through his son’s work in the same leadership positions.

Kaniela Lyman-Mersereau, member of the class of 2005, is currently working at Punahou School in the Outdoor Education department as well as the Design Thinking and Engineering department. In addition, he has been very involved in the Hōkūle’a and Hikianalia. He is the son of Marion Lyman-Mersereau and participated in six of the legs of the Worldwide Voyage.

Tommy Holmes was a member of the class of 1963. A well known paddler, he was inducted into the Waterman Hall of Fame for paddling canoe surfing in 2017. Holmes was a co-founder of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and an active part of Hōkūle’a’s journey. He served as a crewmember on the first voyage in 1976 and helped with the food preparation. He made sure to obtain the proper plants and animals such as the pua’a (pig), ‘ilio (dog), and moa (chicken). Upon arrival in Tahiti, he planted the plants he had carried over at the Gauguin Museum. Holmes died of a heart attack in 1993 while paddling an outrigger canoe off the coast of Waikiki. His legacy is remembered through his accomplishments and his art he co-designed at Duke’s restaurant in Waikiki.

Charles Lacy Veach was a member of Punahou’s class of 1962. An active voyager, he had dreams of voyaging the great cosmic space. Veach was a prominent Air Force pilot who earned four awards for his achievements, including a purple heart. He achieved his goal of becoming Hawaii’s second astronaut by joining two missions flown on the space shuttle, Columbia.

Kimo Lyman is a member of the class of 1968 and joined Tommy Holmes on Hōkūle’a’s voyage from Hawaii to Tahiti and back. A skilled navigator, he participated in many voyages with the Hōkūle’a and the Hawai’iloa. Lyman has been voyaging since the age of sixteen and is known as one of the most skilled navigators in Hawaii.

Marion Lyman-Mersereau is a member of the class of 1970 and is known for her skills in voyaging, teaching, and writing. Lyman-Mersereau was a member of the crew that capsized in 1978. After her rescue, she penned the children’s book, Eddie Wen’ Go, in honor of her fellow crew member’s heroic actions.

Mālama Kumu: 2016 Boston, MA.

Mālama Kumu: 2016 Washington DC.

1985-87 Voyage of Rediscovery, sailing in 1986 aboard the Hokule’a from Tonga to American Samoa. In 1992 he was a part of the No Na Mamo voyage and sailed from Tahiti to Raiatea as part of a ceremony to lift an ancient kapu. He was also much involved in the construction of the Hawai’iloa and helped coordinate both Hawai’iloa’s voyage to Alaska and Hōkūle’a’s voyage of the Pacific Northwest.

Mālama Kumu: 2014 Samoa, 2014 Aotearoa, 2015 Australia, 2015 South Africa, 2016 Boston, MA.

Mālama Kumu: 2016 Washington DC.

WWV: 2016 Brazil, 2015 Australia.

Logistics; Grandparent to Kahaʻi ʻ27 & Laʻikū ʻ29.

PVS Since 1977; WWV Leg 19: Florida to Virginia, 2016 Brazil, 2015 Mauritius, 2015 Australia, 2014 Aotearoa, 2014 Samoa to Aotearoa, 2014 Hawaiʻi to Tahiti; Grandparent to Kahaʻi ʻ27 & Laʻikū ʻ29.

As president of the Hawaii Maritime Center and with his position on the board of trustees of the Queen’s Medical Center, he pushed for ways to support the voyages of the Hōkūle’a and the work of the Polynesian Voyaging Society.

Wrote song for Ka'au during time of SS course Hawaiian Canoe Culture.

Crew/Photographer.

Worked with Dr. Finney '75, helped build and assemble Hōkūle’a. Led building of deck hale. Voyaged '85-'87, '99 voyage to Nuku Hiva. volunteer every dry dock.

Mālama Kumu: 2014 Aotearoa.

Member of the steering committee for the Polynesian Voyaging Society, Hōkūle’a Voyage.

Mālama Kumu: 2014 Samoa.

WWV: Leg 20: Virginia to New York City, 2014 Sāmoa, Leg 4: Sāmoa, 2014 Hawaiʻi to Tahiti.

Mālama Kumu: 2014 Samoa.

Mālama Kumu: 2014 Aotearoa.

Mālama Honua:WWV. Teaches Crew Training Courses, taking students and faculty out on sails; Voyaging Faculty 2019-present.

Mālama Kumu: 2016 Washington DC.

Voyaging Club Student Leader.

Mālama Kumu: 2014 Aotearoa.

Voyaging Club Student Leader.

Mālama Kumu: 2016 Washington DC.

Mālama Kumu: 2015 South Africa.

Lead for Kamaola.

Voyaging Faculty and DTE Department Head.

1976, 1978, west coast voyage.

Was head of cafe and organized food for 1980 voyage.

Parent of Alumni, '86 daughter in law, Michelle Akina '86 and grandaughters, Kaela '15 and Lilia '19. Dr. on first leg of the Voyage of Rediscovery '85.

Mālama Kumu: 2015 South Africa; 2016 Washington DC; Club Advisor 2019-present; Kamaola Land Crew.

Parent of Kahikikū ʻ25 & Kalapakea ʻ28; spoke to PUEO Program. WWV: 2015 South Africa.

Mālama Kumu: 2016 Brazil.

Bishop Museum Science Educator aboard 2 Hōkūle’a voyages: to the Northwestern Hawaiian Island of Nihoa (2003) & from Kaua'i to Moloka'i with the National Geographic film crew (2004).

WWV: 2014 Aotearoa. '85-87 Voyage of Rediscovery, Captain, training voyages '83-85.

Mālama Kumu: 2016 Boston, MA.

'99 voyage to Rapaui Marquesas leg.

Mālama Kumu: 2015 South Africa; 2016 Boston, MA.

Parent of Alum / Spouse of Marion, summer school Physics faculty.

Voyaging Club Student Leader.

Mālama Kumu: 2014 Aotearoa.

Mālama Hawaiʻi Neighbor Islands Sail, AʻO, Mālama Kumu: 2014 Samoa.

Parent of Alum (Chad K Pi'ianai'a ʻ87 (left Punahou in 1983). Was 5th gr. faculty. WWV: Traveled with Punahou Tahiti teachers; 2014 Aotearoa. Captain, during the early '80's training voyages.

Mālama Kumu: 2016 Boston, MA.

Mālama Kumu: 2015 South Africa.

Crew member on initial voyage.

Tahiti to Hawaii 1976.

Mālama Kumu: 2014 Aotearoa.

WWV: Leg 19 Florida to Virginia.

Voyaging Club Student Leader.

Mālama Kumu: 2014 Samoa.

WWV: Leg 20: Virginia to New York City, Leg 18: Virgin Islands, Cuba and Florida, 2014 Sāmoa, 2015 Australia, Leg 4: Sāmoa, 2014 Hawaiʻi to Tahiti.

Mālama Kumu: 2014 Australia.

Parent of Mayumi Douglass '27; PVS: WWV-Education Coordinator. WWV: Leg 20: Virginia to New York City, 2014 Samoa to Aotearoa.

WWV: 2014 Aotearoa, land crew/logistics Bali and New York.

Mālama Kumu: 2014 Aotearoa.

WWV: 2016 Brazil, 2014 Hawaiʻi to Tahiti; Parent of Brandon Zunin ʻ15; Spoke in AP Psychology classes.