Who is Knut Haugland from Kon-Tiki: Across the Pacific by Raft and what is their importance?

Knut brings his radio expertise to the crew. He first helps by tackling the massive amounts of paperwork involved before the voyage can begin. He suffers from seasickness during the first few days of the voyage. He jokes about the flying fish not landing right into the hot grease of his frying pan while on cook duty. Upon arriving at the first possible landing site, Knut goes to the island with the natives to find more help in bringing the raft to shore. This attempt fails, and he nearly becomes stranded on the island. Knut later teams up with Herman to cure a sick native boy.