James Kimo Mitchell, born February 15, 1952, was a Maui native raised in Keanae who lived off the land and worked in the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park. A standout football player at Baldwin High School, he played at Coalinga Junior College and Fresno State before returning home to farm, fish, hunt, and support Native Hawaiian causes.

In early March 1977 Mitchell used his boat to help transport protesters to Kahoolawe. On March 7, 1977 he went by boat with musician and activist George Helm and another man, Billy Mitchell, to search for two activists on Kahoolawe. Their arranged pickup failed to return; its sunk boat was later found with bilge plugs pulled. The three tried to paddle to Maui on two surfboards. Billy Mitchell turned back and reached Kahoolawe, but James Kimo Mitchell, 25, and George Helm were last seen near Molokini and never heard from again. A military search found no trace.

Officially they are believed lost at sea; some activists suspected foul play but no evidence was reported.