George Jarrett Helm Jr. was a charismatic Native Hawaiian musician, falsetto singer and activist from Molokaʻi who became a leading voice during the Hawaiian Renaissance and a prominent figure in the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana. In early 1977 Helm joined park ranger Kimo Mitchell and waterman Billy Mitchell on a boat trip from Maui to check on fellow activists Walter Ritte and Richard Sawyer, who had been occupying Kahoʻolawe to protest Navy bombing. Ritte and Sawyer had already been taken into military custody, and the three found the island empty.

Their arranged boat for the return trip was later found sunk under suspicious circumstances. Facing high winds and strong currents, the three attempted to paddle back to Maui on two surfboards. Helm reportedly suffered a head injury entering the turbulent water. Billy Mitchell turned back to Kahoʻolawe to seek help and was the last person to see Helm and Kimo Mitchell, who were later spotted near the islet of Molokini. A large military and Coast Guard search covering thousands of square miles recovered no trace.

Helm’s disappearance left a deep void in the Hawaiian community. Does anyone have memories of Helm, Kimo Mitchell or details about that crossing that could help explain what happened?