Hawaiʻi s Community of Navigators and Voyagers Mourn the Loss of Chad Kālepa Baybayan
The passing of Hawaiian master navigator Chad Kālepa Baybayan came as a shock to many, including fellow Hōkūleʻa crew member and master navigator Nainoa Thompson.
“Itʻs not that you donʻt believe it. You donʻt want to believe it,” says Thompson, “And the only way I dealt with this was to come down here, next to the canoe. I believe a part of him will always be here.”
Baybayan was born in Lahaina, Maui, and first sailed on Hōkūleʻa in 1975. He was aboard all of Hōkūleʻa’s major voyages, and became mentor to future seafarers. Kaimanaonalani Barcarse was one of them praising Baybayan for his ability to bring out the best in everyone.