James Kimo Mitchell, a native of Maui with a profound connection to his homeland, was a man known for his physical strength and gentle nature. Born on February 15, 1952, and raised in Keanae, he grew up in a family that lived off the land, cultivating taro. This upbringing instilled in him a deep respect for the 'aina and a quiet self-sufficiency. An exceptional athlete, Mitchell was a standout football player at Baldwin High School and a skilled swimmer.
After high school, he attended college in California, playing football at Coalinga Junior College and Fresno State, but ultimately chose to return to his roots in Hawaii rather than pursue a professional football career. Back home, he worked for the National Park Service in the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park and spent his free time hunting, farming, and fishing.
In the mid-1970s, a movement to protect the island of Kahoolawe from being used as a bombing range by the United States Navy was gaining momentum. Native Hawaiian activists began making trips to the island to protest. Although not one of the movement's public speakers, Kimo Mitchell became involved, using his boat to help transport protesters to and from the island. In early March 1977, concern grew for two activists who were on Kahoolawe. Mitchell, along with respected musician and activist George Helm and another man, Billy Mitchell, set out by boat for Kahoolawe to find them. After arriving and being unable to locate their friends, their pre-arranged pickup boat failed to return for them. The boat was later discovered sunk, with its bilge plugs pulled.
Faced with a perilous situation, the three men made the difficult decision on March 7, 1977, to attempt to paddle back to Maui on two surfboards through rough waters. Billy Mitchell, after struggling in the high seas, decided to turn back to Kahoolawe to seek help. He eventually made it to shore, but James Kimo Mitchell, who was 25 years old, and George Helm were last seen in the waters near the small island of Molokini and were never heard from again. An extensive military search of the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean where they disappeared yielded no trace of the two men. While the official belief is that they were tragically lost at sea, some within the activist community suspected foul play, though no evidence ever emerged to support this theory. The disappearances of Mitchell and Helm are no longer actively investigated, but their story became a powerful symbol for the Hawaiian movement. Their sacrifice is forever linked to the eventual cessation of the bombing and the return of Kahoolawe to the state of Hawaii in 1994.Last Seen: Mar 7, 1977
