When it comes to honesty, a calming, steady presence, and an easy smile, few fit the bill like Hikaru Sulu.
His career in Starfleet shines brighter than any star, and by the time he took command of the Excelsior, his name was known throughout Starfleet and beyond. He's also part of the foundation of the Enterprise crew, so let's delve a bit deeper into the life of Hikaru Sulu and what makes him more than just another Starfleet officer.
"San Francisco. I was born there." Sulu, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
Little is known about Sulu's early life, presumably because of his private nature regarding family and relationships. He was born in San Francisco and was likely an only child. It's probable that he had just as many interests as a child as he did as an adult, including all different kinds of ships. He began pilot training at Starfleet Academy around the year 2250.
Sulu kept on with many interests during his time at the academy, including fencing and botany. He won awards for his dueling acumen, but also scored high in his piloting training. He graduated in 2259.
"I wonder who it is we aren't supposed to be afraid of!" --Sulu, on sedatives in "Wolf in the Fold."
Sulu began his job as helmsman of the Enterprise under Captain Kirk in 2264. Originally an astrophysics expert, Kirk offered him the helmsman position after Sulu's quick mind and extroverted personality made him a poor fit for the lab.
Sulu served as the helmsman of NCC-1701 Enterprise for its 5-year mission. During that time, he faced aggressive aliens, exploding plant spores that made him feel all the happiness in the world, and nearly froze to death when the transporters became unusable and made mirror copies of people ("The Enemy Within" S1E05).
One of the tensest moments on board had to be when Spock convinced him, Scotty, Dr. McCoy, and Chekov that a woman from Kirk's past, Janice Lester, had taken over his body and was trying to have Kirk, trapped in her body, either put away or destroyed. The moment he, Uhura, and Chekov simply slid their hands away from their control panels is a gesture of both defiance and silent support for their captain.
"I'm delighted! Any chance to go aboard Enterprise!" Sulu--STII: The Wrath of Khan
Sulu rejoined McCoy, Uhura, and McCoy after the Enterprise refit (minus Chekov, who was now first officer of the Reliant and in the security field) when the ship was used to train new cadets. He had little to complain about and seemed to look forward to bringing the young ones along.
Unfortunately, during training, they encounter Khan Noonien Singh, a man that Sulu probably remembered well during his helmsman days on Enterprise. It was during this time that Sulu and the others reunited with a terribly wounded Chekov, whom Khan had tortured.
"What course please, Admiral?" Sulu--STIII: The Search for Spock
Sulu's history with the Excelsior is a complicated one. When Kirk wants to return to the Genesis Planet with Enterprise, but Starfleet denies him, Sulu and the rest of the crew help him steal the ship out of the space dock. When Sulu first sees Excelsior, it's love at first sight, but his sense of duty was to Kirk and Spock, leading him to help sabotage the trans warp ship. What irony that he took command of her in 2287!
Hikaru Sulu is many things: pilot, father, botanist, Starfleet officer and friend. His presence on Enterprise and as commander of Excelsior prove his dedication to duty and devotion to those he calls his friends.