Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 30, Number 8, 1 August 2013 — Aloha ʻoe, Larry Helm [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Aloha ʻoe, Larry Helm

Hilarion "Larry" Hugh Helm was born on July 27, 1942, in Pu'unēnē, Maui, to the late Melanie "Koko" Helm and late George Jarrett Helm Sr. He grew up on a homestead farm in Kalama'ula, Moloka'i, as the eldest of seven children. After graduating from Moloka'i High School in 1960, Helm attended Chaminade Universitv

before being drafted into the Army. He served with the lst Battalion, 5th Infantry, 25th Division at Schofield Barracks and was a Vietnam combat veteran. Throughout his life Larry wore many hats, a leader in the community, a business owner, an entertainer and a staunch advocate for the veterans. Larry was a committed leader in the community and he stood up for those who needed the most help. With the loss of his brother George Jarrett Hehn Jr., Larry helped in leading an investigation with FBI into George's death. Another tragic loss for Larry and his family was of their 15-year-old daughter Natalie, who was among those on Island Air Flight 1712 that

crashed in 1989. He was the spokesperson for the families of the victims. He also worked hard with lawyers to hold the airline industry responsible and to change procedures for safer flying. He was also a devout Catholic and led the fundraising efforts for the newly built St. Damien Catholic Church. As an entrepreneur, Helm owned two restaurants in Seattle, Washington, in the 1970s called Helm's Hale and The Outrigger. The following decade, he co-owned and operated a tourist hotspot called the Moloka'i Wagon Ride. This ride inspired the song "Moloka'i Slide" by Ehukai. As an entertainer and musician, Helm often served at loeal events as an emeee and auctioneer. He shared

his hospitality with almost anyone and spread the aloha spirit through his music. In high school Larry and his brother Greg formed a duo called The Helm Brothers, taking their music act on radio and television. As a staunch advocate for the veterans on Moloka'i, he helped veterans obtain health care and financial services that they and their families needed. Helm is perhaps best known as commander of the

Moloka'i Veterans Caring for Veterans and leading the nearly decadelong battle to build a veterans' center on the island. Unfortunately Larry was not able to see the completion of the Veterans Center on Moloka'i. There are many who have stepped up and to see Larry's work completed. Before Maui County will grant the center a permit of occupancy, a $100,000 parking lot and drainage project must be eompleted. In addition, the sewer system and certified kitchen equipment need installation. ■ To leam more about Moloka'i. Veterans Caring for Veterans and the buūding contact emai.I MoIokai.Veterans CaringForVeterans @yahoo. eom.

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Larry Helm was an entrepreneur, veterans advocate, entertainer and devout Catholic. His strength and compassion were on full display when, after losing his 1 5-year-old daughter in a plane crash, he heeame a spokesman for the families of the victims. - Courtesy photo