Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Hawai'i

I am sure everyone is familiar with the history of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and its work supporting the Hokulea voyages. How many of you knew that the first successful voyage in 1976 was guided by a master navigator, Pius "Mau" Piailug, a Micronesian from Satawal Island in Yap State in Micronesia? Yap is one of four states in the Federated States of Micronesia. And, incidentally, how many of you know that it was a RPCV from Satawal Island, Mike McCoy,  introduced Mau to the early founders of the Polynesian Voyaging Society? For some reason, I never knew this fact (shame on me). So, when you next think of Hokulea and what it has done for the renaissance of Hawaiian culture, remember that a RPCV played an instrumental role in making the first successful voyage become reality.