MEET THE CREW

Paul Allen, aka Captain Pablo, has been racing sailboats professionally for over 25 years. He brings his blue water sailing experience of sailing record setting multihulls as well as small high performance skiffs to the youth of Hawai’i. Paul has worked in the marine industry for 30 years, holding roles ranging from rigging, boat building, coaching, captain, project manager and sailmaker. Paul is the senior boatswain for the Pua Ka Ilima as well as a regular captain. Paul is also a co-founder of the Kohala Sailing Foundation and is on the board of directors.

Captain Ralph Blancato has logged 62,000 blue water miles from Alaska to New Zealand. Operated a Hawaii-inter island sail charter vessel for over a decade. Very familiar with Hawaiian waters and the creatures that inhabit them. Passionate about sharing his knowledge with local keiki ( kids) and charter guests

Pua Ka Ilima joins my many passions into one. Hawai’i living in magnificent awe and gratitude of our Earth and the waters, every day I get to enjoy the sunshine, the ocean, the wind, the rainbows, and, most importantly, the people. I am your first point of contact with both the Kohala Sailing Foundation and the private charter bookings. I’ve spent my life around the world immersed in inter-cultural communication, organizational leadership, conflict resolution, hospitality, and working with the next generation of leaders, strengthening life skills and building the capacity to engage in the world in good ways. Any questions?! - just ask! :)

Born and raised in the central coast of California. Grew up sailing out of Morro Bay Yacht Club, and body boarding the many world class breaks around the area. Owned my own sailboat for 7 years in Santa Barbara, and sailed and raced extensively from 1999-2006.

Hi, I'm Ruby! I’ve been sailing for a little over a year now, and it’s safe to say I’m in love with life on the water. One of my favorite things is sharing what I’ve learned—especially when it comes to the reef. There’s so much cool stuff to see and explore, from vibrant marine life to the hidden gems most people don’t get to experience. I love showing others why it’s so special and why it’s worth protecting.

DJ is originally from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, but has lived all over the world pursuing adventures in freediving and rock climbing as well as his job outside the boating world, scientific illustration. Studying visual art in St. Petersburg Florida, set him on a path to merge art and science into one area of study. His illustrations have been featured in/for Yosemite National Park, Zion National Park, research facilities on the Great Barrier Reef, Mission Blue, NASA and UH Hilo to name a few. He’s also done whale watching, boat repair and marine science education work in Monterey, San Diego and the Big Island. His passions are broad, from coral reef ecology to lord of the rings to the complex structures that make spiders such fascinating creatures. If you’ve ever wanted to deep dive obscure niche topics like how the creators of Jurassic park apparently don’t know the difference between a velociraptor and a deinonychus, DJ is your guy.

Meet Deckhand Eden, an Ocean Whisperer Eden is a dedicated and hardworking deckhand with a passion for the ocean. Whether spotting humpback whales breaching the surface, locating and identifying exotic sea creatures during daytime reef snorkeling tours, or guiding groups during nighttime manta ray excursions, Eden is a reliable and skilled crew member who takes pride in contributing to a safe, fun, and educational experience for all. With years of experience as a deckhand, Eden has a wealth of knowledge about the ocean and its inhabitants. He is also a skilled naturalist, and is able to identify and describe a wide variety of marine life. Eden's favorite marine life is the Octopus. He is fascinated by their beauty, intelligence, and grace. He has also been lucky enough to swim with manta rays, which he describes as "gentle giants of the sea." Eden is passionate about protecting the ocean and its ecosystems. He is a strong advocate for sustainable tourism, and always encourages guests to respect the marine environment. Eden is a fun and engaging guide who is always willing to share his knowledge and passion with others.

All the way from the North East of England, seasoned traveller and dedicated environmentalist Suelang Watson has lived in Hawai’i for over 10 years. Suelang is a licenced USCG Boat captain, certified in scuba and an avid free-diver. (Some may say a part-time mermaid). Though she is a certified boat Captain, she prefers the role of deckhand/crew as she is truly in her element hosting guests and leading underwater tours of the reef. An experienced marine naturalist and guide, she thrives most when out on, or in, the ocean, sharing her passion for sustainability and the ocean with others.

Aloha, I'm Sydnee. I have been working in social media and marketing for about 3 years now and have found a love for helping brands grow and connect with their audiences in authentic ways. Working for a organization like The Kohala Sailing Foundation is a dream of mine. I am honored that my work is a part of making a difference in the community and sharing the magic of the ocean.