CREWMEMBER HIGHLIGHT: Kalepa Baybayan
Kalepa gives a pule for the safe passage of Faafaite on her voyage from Hawai'i to Tahiti in Nov. 2011.
Crédits photo: Danee Hazama
Crew Profile: Kalepa Baybayan
PVS Member Since 1975
HOMETOWN:
Kona, Hawai‘i
PRIMARY DUTY:
Pwo Navigator, Captain
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:
First Mate
Born and raised in Lahaina, Maui, Chad Kālepa Baybayan first sailed on Hōkūleʻa in 1975 and has sailed on all major Hōkūleʻa voyages since. Kālepa has served as captain on Hōkūleʻa as well as voyaging canoes Hawai‘iloa and Hōkūalaka‘i. He was the Site Director of Honuakai, the Exploration Sciences Division of the ‘Aha Pūnana Leo, which teaches the Hawaiian Language to participants that crew aboard the Hōkūalaka‘i. He currently serves as the Navigator in Residence at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai‘i developing wayfinding activities, curriculum materials, and conducting outreach. In 2007, Kālepa was initiated into the order of Pwo, the two-thousand-year-old society of deep-sea navigators in Micronesia, along with four other Hōkūleʻa navigators by their teacher Mau Piailug on the island of Satawal in Micronesia.
Kālepa sees Hōkūleʻa as a vehicle for successful aspirations and a promise for all that is possible. “It is a reminder of all that we have accomplished in the face of enormous adversity,” said Kālepa. “The canoe remains a vehicle for great messages, a symbol for the survival of island earth and humanity.”
Kālepa hopes that the Worldwide Voyage will inspire our communities to proactively solve the pressing issues that confront us. “It is my highest aspiration to be a part of a network of like-minded individuals intent on problem solving.
Kālepa sees Hōkūleʻa as a vehicle for successful aspirations and a promise for all that is possible. “It is a reminder of all that we have accomplished in the face of enormous adversity,” said Kālepa. “The canoe remains a vehicle for great messages, a symbol for the survival of island earth and humanity.”
Kālepa hopes that the Worldwide Voyage will inspire our communities to proactively solve the pressing issues that confront us. “It is my highest aspiration to be a part of a network of like-minded individuals intent on problem solving.
Kalepa Baybayan: Related Posts
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Moananuiākea Film | December 6, 2018 @ Doris Duke Theatre
Catch an upcoming screening of the film celebrating the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage! -
UPCOMING SHOWS | Moananuiākea: One Ocean. One Canoe. One People.
Maui, Hawaiʻi Island, and Oʻahu screenings of the film about the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage. -
WORLD PREMIERE | Moananuiākea: One Ocean. One Canoe. One People.
Join us for the world premiere for the feature-length documentary about the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage. -
Hōkūleʻa Update | Return to Taputapuatea
Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia honor the ancient voyaging legacy at the sacred marae at Taputapuatea. -
Crew Blog | Kālepa Baybayan: Follow the Wind
By Kālepa Baybayan It seems that the Maraʻamu Wind that is typical in July and Read more -
Kālepa Baybayan: North of the Equator
inAs Kālepa Baybayan makes his way to Tahiti for the sixth time, he recounts his personal history of sailing the region. -
Worldwide Voyage | Hikianalia Departs for Tahiti
“This is the Hikianalia crew that is taking the canoe from Honolulu, to Hilo, to Read more -
Hikianalia Prepped and Ready
19˚ 30’ North and 155˚ 02 West, Pale Kai, Keaukaha, Island of Hawai’i -
Hikianalia to Reunite with Hōkūleʻa
The journey to Tahiti marks the inaugural voyage as captain for apprentice navigator Kala Baybayan Tanaka. -
Crew Blog | Aloha Cerit: Nā Kelamoku in Miami
Nā Kelamoku crewmember Aloha Cerit recounts the group's trip to Miami to share stories with Miami youth on how they mālama honua, and to spend time with Hōkūleʻa crew. -
Crew Blog | Kālepa Baybayan: Leg 25 Mahalo
Hōkūleʻa Captain Kālepa Baybayan extends a mahalo to his crew of Leg 25 for a successful 1,100 miles voyaged from Virginia to Florida. -
Crew Blog | Kālepa Baybayan: Mahalo to Leg 23 Crew
Leg 23 of the Worldwide Voyage concludes after traversing more than 61 locks spanning the U.S. and Canada and exploring the Great Lakes. -
Crew Blog | Haunani Kane: Chazy Reef
"It was completely mind blowing to see some of the first ancestors of the reefs we have back home in Hawaiʻi and encouraging to know that despite all of the changes the world has gone through, important remnants of the past continue to persist through time." -
Hōkūleʻa Update | Honoring Mohawk Language Leaders
The crew of Hōkūle‘a and ʻAha Pūnana Leo honors the woman and community who made an impact in Hawai‘i’s immersion programs -
Crew Blog | Kālepa Baybayan: Lessons from the St. Lawrence
"We are transiting the Thousand Island region, home of 1,800 tiny islands; freighters, fishing boats, jet skis, and pleasure craft motor by Hōkūle’a as we work our way down river." -
Crew Blog | Kālepa Baybayan: 6 Days on the Water
Hōkūleʻa explores the interior of the eastern US via dozens of lock systems. -
Crew Blog|Kālepa Baybayan: Aloha to Leg 22
Captain Kālepa Baybayan takes an opportunity to thank all members of Legs 22. -
Hōkūleʻa Update | Bay of Fundy
View the dramatic tidal changes surrounding Hopewell Rocks in the Bay of Fundy. -
Hōkūleʻa Update | July 31, 2016
The Worldwide Voyage brings Hōkūleʻa to a historic visit to Nova Scotia, Canada. -
Hōkūleʻa Update | June 23, 2016
Worldwide Voyage crewmembers explore Block Island. -
Hōkūleʻa Update | NMAI Mālama Honua Festival
Worldwide Voyage crewmembers bring the Hōkūleʻa experience to the Smithsonian. -
Worldwide Voyage | Mast Stepping in Washington DC
Check out a behind the scenes look at how the Worldwide Voyage navigated near the National Mall. -
Worldwide Voyage | Piscataway Arrival and Ceremony
Video recap as Hōkūleʻa arrived in Piscataway and honored the indigenous people of the land. -
Hōkūleʻa Honors the Piscataway People
Representatives of the Polynesian Voyaging Society offer ritual respect to the Piscataway. -
Hōkūleʻa Update | March 22, 2016
After exploring the local community and learning about the unique culture of Cuba, Hōkūleʻa prepares to depart for Florida. -
Hōkūleʻa Arrives in Cuba
In a historic first, Hōkūleʻa reaches the shores of Cuba. -
Hōkūleʻa Update | March 14, 2016
Hōkūleʻa runs into dissipating winds en route to Cuba. -
Hōkūleʻa Update | March 11, 2016
Hōkūleʻa departs the British Virgin Islands. Next stop: Cuba! -
Crew Blog | Shawn Malia Kanaʻiaupuni: Science and Education on Tortola Island, British Virgin Islands
"By the end of our short time with the students, we felt a deep sense of kindred spirits connected by mālama honua." -
Hōkūleʻa Update | Around the World in One Canoe
National Public Radio visits the Hōkūleʻa as they arrive at St. John, US Virgin Islands. -
Hōkūleʻa Update | February 24, 2016
Hōkūleʻa passes the glowing lights of Barbados en route to St. John. -
Hōkūleʻa Update | February 23, 2016
Music and stories echo on the deck of Hōkūleʻa as the Caribbean approaches. -
Hōkūleʻa Update | February 21, 2016
Hōkūleʻa catches strong winds in the Azores High, steadily approaching the Caribbean. -
Hōkūleʻa Update | February 16, 2016
A squall can't dampen the spirits of Hōkūleʻa's crew. -
Hōkūleʻa Update | February 15, 2016
Hōkūleʻa crosses the equator into the North Atlantic. -
Crew Blog | Kālepa Baybayan: 5˚47’ South/35˚12’ West - Last Moments in Natal
Amid the celebrations of Carnival, the Leg 17 crew prepares Hōkūleʻa for the voyage from Natal, Brazil to St. John's, USVI. -
Hōkūleʻa Update | February 6, 2016
The Leg 17 crew prepares Hōkūleʻa to voyage from Natal, Brazil to the U.S. Virgin Islands. -
Celebration of Friendship Highlights
Watch some of the highlights as Hōkūleʻa is officially welcomed to Cape Town, South Africa. -
Hōkūleʻa Update | November 3, 2015
After waiting out a passing storm, Hōkūleʻa departs Port Elizabeth heading for Cape Town. -
Crew Blog | Kālepa Baybayan: This Is Africa
Worldwide Voyage crewmembers explore some of the sights and sounds that Africa has to offer. -
Crew Blog | Kālepa Baybayan: Pulling for South Africa
"Yesterday, as we attempted to leave the safe harbor we sought in Maputo, we ran into difficulty. Or rather, difficulty snared us." -
Hōkūleʻa Update | October 17, 2015
"The horizon lights up, wide sweeping arcs of brilliant long flashes of lightning touch the surface of the sea. The deck of the canoe vibrates with the rumble of the thunder surrounding us." -
Hōkūleʻa Update | October 15, 2015
Our canoe Hōkūleʻa and our escort vessel Gershon II have sailed in to Maputo, Mozambique. -
Hōkūleʻa Update | October 13, 2015
Traversing the Mozambique Channel, Hōkūleʻa catches some wind to bring her closer to Africa. -
Hōkūleʻa Update | October 12, 2015
In the heart of the Mozambique Channel, Hōkūleʻa nears the African continent as strong weather approaches. -
Hōkūleʻa Update | October 9, 2015
Strong weather conditions and damage to Hōkūleʻa forces a change in course past Madagascar. -
Hōkūleʻa Update | October 7, 2015
Hōkūleʻa voyages closer to Madagascar, an opportunity to celebrate our global family and oceanic traditions. -
Crew Blog | Kālepa Baybayan: The Far Side of the World
My home in Kona seems very distant. Soon we will be crossing a line that is a 180˚ opposite from the longitude of Hawai’i, marking our halfway point in this epic and impossible journey. -
Vehicles of Knowledge
The voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa and the mobile marine science station wagon Bis Lamer both teach important lessons of environmental protection. -
Hōkūleʻa Update | Outrigger Founders Day
Worldwide Voyage crewmembers joined the leadership and staff of the Outrigger Beach Resort Mauritius to celebrate the legacy of Outrigger founders Roy and Estelle Kelley. -
Hōkūleʻa Update | June 29, 2015
Hōkūleʻa crewmembers spend a day anchored off Adolphus Island en route to Thursday Island. -
Life Size Star Compass
Master navigator Hector Busby created a life size star compass as a gift to future navigators and sailors in Aotearoa and throughout the Pacific – all for the continuation of voyaging. -
Update | April 15, 2015
"As I prepare for the 2,300 nautical mile journey back to Papeete, I am focused on the job ahead of me. I think we are as prepared as possible. Now we need to focus and learn about becoming a good team." -
Maritime Connections
The Maritime Museum hosted the Mālama Honua Community Event for the public to support and extend the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage mission to locals and visitors of the Auckland area. -
Crew Blog | Linda Furuto: He Lani Ko Luna, He Honua Ko Lalo
There is an understanding that it takes both academics and an intimate relationship to place in order to really learn in this world. -
Ask the Crew | March 23, 2015
Worldwide Voyage crewmembers answer questions about becoming a pro navigator, packing for sailing, and memorable highlights so far. -
Ask the Crew | February 26, 2015
Worldwide voyage crewmembers answer questions about the historical accuracy of Hōkūleʻa's rigging, reducing sea sickness, and the types of foods in Aotearoa. -
Ask the Crew | February 25, 2015
Master navigator Kālepa Baybayan and crewmember Nakua Konohia-Lind answer some questions about life onboard Hōkūleʻa. -
Update | February 13, 2015
inThis trip is quickly coming to an end and I would like to thank all our supporters for this leg of the Mālama Honua journey. It has been a pleasure meeting and getting to know you and your communities. E Ō Ka Moana Nui a Kiwa!!! -
Update | February 3, 2015
inHōkūleʻa continues her journey north by visiting the ports of Napier and Gisborne. -
Update | January 29, 2015
inThree kilometers inland along the winding banks of the Ngauroro River sits the 102 year-old marae, Kohupātiki, Flounders in the Mist. -
Whangarei Outreach
"It’s very heartwarming to share the message of mālama honua with the people here in Whangarei," -
Our ʻOhana Waʻa in the Pacific
Since her launch in 1975, Hōkūleʻa has inspired these new waʻa communities, not only here in Hawaiʻi, but throughout all of Polynesia. -
From Father to Daughter
One master navigator passes on his knowledge to his daughter, who is part of a new generation of leaders and wayfinders. -
Blog | Kālepa Baybayan: The Navigatorʻs Journey
For myself, it has been a great pleasure meeting old friends as we sailed across the central Pacific and to introduce new crew members to the many island communities we visited. -
Tautira Crew Change
Before departing for Moorea and eventually Pago Pago, Samoa, the new crew members mahalo the village of Tauitra for their ongoing aloha. -
Ask the Crew | Kālepa Baybayan: Did you name the palila bird?
Carlen of ʻImiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaiʻi, Hilo, also asks about passing the equator.
