Herb Kane, renown Hawaiian artist, historian and author, died March 7, 2011 in Honolulu. He was 82.

Herb devoted his life to understanding and illustrating Hawaiian history. One of the founding members of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, he designed and helped build the Hokulea, a working replica of an ancient Polynesian voyaging canoe. He captained it on its first voyage, from Hawaii to Polynesia, in 1975.

Herb Kane’s art can be found worldwide on stamps and in museums, national parks and books. U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka said, “Herb Kane helped the world recognize the history and culture of the Native Hawaiian people through his art. He showed ancient Hawaiians as they were: explorers, seafarers, trailblazers in land and resource management.”

Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi said, “I am deeply saddened by the passing of our respected and beloved kupuna, Herb Kawainui Kane. His deep respect and reverence for the culture of our islands, reflected by his talent as a world-renown artist, secures his place among history’s most influential Native Hawaiians.”

Born in Hawaii, Herb grew up in Hawaii and on the mainland.

After serving in the Navy, he earned his master’s degree at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1953. He returned to Hawaii permanently in 1973. In 1984 he was chosen to be a National Living Treasure of Hawaii.

Herb is survived by his wife, Deon Kane, of Kona and Langley, and a large extended family.