After a life full of leadership, passion and perseverance, Molokai activist, entertainer and veterans advocate Larry Helm died of liver cancer last month.
He was 70.
"My father embodied love and compassion for all human beings," Nichol Helm Kahale said in an email. "He loved people. Cared for people. Wanted the best for people. He wanted you to succeed, and he wanted you to know that you could succeed at whatever you wanted in life."
Helm died in his Hoolehua home on June 20.
"I truly believe his spirit lives on in our ohana and in all of those who were touched in some way by him." Kahale said.
Kahale said her father faced his many challenges with determination.
His brother, George Jarrett Helm Jr., a top Hawaii musician and outspoken member of the Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana, disappeared in 1977 while swimming back to Maui from Kahoolawe.
Among other challenges, Helm endured radiation and surgery in his early 40s to beat a first bout of cancer; underwent two open-heart surgeries; survived being taken by medevac to Oahu with very little blood left in his body because of a bleeding ulcer; and in 1989 faced his toughest test of faith when his 15-year-old daughter, Natalie, died in an Aloha Island Air crash on Molokai.
In the wake of the loss of his brother and daughter, Helm worked tirelessly with authorities to ensure justice, Kahale said. He helped lead an investigation with FBI investigators and politicians into his brother’s disappearance, and served as the spokesman for families affected by the plane crash, which killed 20 people.
A tribute to Helm will be held Saturday at St. Damien Catholic Church in Kaunakakai. Visitation will be from 8 to 10:45 a.m., with eulogy and Mass following until noon. Burial will follow at the Kanakaloloa Veteran Cemetery in Hoolehua.
The oldest of seven children, Helm was born in Puunene, Maui, and grew up on a homestead farm in Kalamaula, Molokai. He graduated from Molokai High School in 1960 and attended Chaminade University in Honolulu for two years before taking a break to work for tuition money.
It was then that he was drafted to serve in Vietnam with the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry, 25th Division, based at Schofield Barracks.
Helm later went on to campaign unsuccessfully for Molokai’s first-ever state House of Representatives seat (Molokai, Lanai and West Maui) in 1982.
He dabbled in entrepreneurship with restaurants in Seattle, homestead farming, and a well-known tourist attraction called the Molokai Wagon Ride.
"I miss my father and his wisdom," Kahale said. "And I also feel that Molokai and her people will miss his leadership, his kindness, his hospitality, his music, his letters to the media, his humor and most of all his Aloha."
About a decade ago, Helm helped found and became the commander of Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans and spearheaded the effort to build a veterans’ center on the island. The center still needs a parking lot, sewer system and commercial kitchen.
"It’s kind of bittersweet for our family and the veterans," Kahale said. "Although it’s going to be here for past, present and future veterans, it’s just kind of sad that my dad won’t be here to enjoy it because he’s worked so hard and so long to get it."
After Helm died, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard released a statement saying she was deeply saddened by the news and vowed to work toward fulfilling his dream of opening the center.
"He spent his entire life fighting battles in service to our country, our communities, and our selfless veterans, and he fought courageously in his final battle with cancer," Gabbard said. "My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this terribly difficult time."
Helm is also survived by his wife of 46 years, Barbara; sons Michael, Matthew and Marcus; brothers Adolph Helm, Zachary Helm and Bill Puleloa; sisters Stacy Crivello and Georgia Mae Helm; 11 grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces.
