About Us
We are Holoholo Kai Charters. Our name represents our love for all things ocean-minded and our desire to share an unforgettable ocean experience in the beautiful waters of Hawaiʻi.
“Holoholo” (to cruise) + “Kai” (ocean) = “Holoholo Kai”: To go cruise the ocean.
Sharing Our Passion for the Stunning Waters of Hawaiʻi
Holoholo Kai Charters was started by two friends, Casey Trautwein and Tyson Yoshizumi, who share a deep love for the ocean and everything connected with it.
Holoholo Kai Charters deliver an unparalleled cruise that fuses a luxury travel experience with the expertise of well rounded captains and crew. Our vessel, a state-of-the-art Worldcat catamaran, redefines comfort and adventure.
Departing from Kawaihae Harbor on the northern shores of the Big Island, we welcome guests staying at resorts including the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Fairmont Orchid, and Auberge Resorts Collection. With the capacity for six passengers, it provides an intimate voyage.
Our tours are explorations into the heart of Hawaiʻi’s ever-changing beauty, crafted with the intent to highlight the island in a way that is both meaningful and unforgettable.
Discover the Essence of ʻAlohilohi
Our boat is named Radiant, or ‘Ālohilohi in Hawaiian, reflecting the Hawaiian Islands’ status as a luminous gem in the expansive Pacific Ocean. We make it possible for you to explore and savor this natural radiance.
The ʻAlohilohi Offers:
- Stability: The signature catamaran hull reduces rolling, delivering a smoother and more stable ride, even in choppier Hawaiian waters.
- Passenger Comfort: Spacious seating areas at both the bow and stern ensure all guests enjoy plush accommodations with ample room to stretch out.
- Bow Lounge: The bow seating area is ideal for lounging during sunset cruises, whale watching, or simply soaking in the Hawaiian views.
- 360° Visibility: The thoughtful design of the helm and seating ensures unobstructed views for guests, making it perfect for whale watching and dolphin spotting.
- Adjustable Sun Shade: The bow of the boat is covered ensuring comfort during sunny excursions.
- Gear Storage: Dedicated compartments allow easy access to snorkeling gear or personal belongings. Dry bags are also provided for guests with items they would like to keep dry.
- Safety Equipment: Fully stocked with life jackets, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and emergency signaling devices to ensure your safety on every voyage.
- Environmentally Safe Sunscreen: We exclusively use eco-friendly sunscreens that protect your skin while safeguarding Hawaiʻi’s coral reefs and marine life from harmful chemicals.
- Fresh Water Rinse System: Our boat is equipped with a state-of-the-art fresh water rinse system, for guests to wash off after being in the ocean.
- Entertainment System: A premium sound system lets you set the perfect ambiance for every occasion.
- Integrated Swim Platform: A spacious swim platform with a telescoping ladder provides easy water access, perfect for snorkeling, swimming, or free diving.
- Fishing-Ready Features: Rod holders, a live well, and deck space make it an excellent choice for private fishing charters.
- Yeti Cooler: A stocked Yeti cooler filled with a variety of chilled beverages and fresh fruit.
- Hydrophone: to listen dolphins chatting and humpback whales singing.
The ʻAlohilohi Offers:
- Stability: The signature catamaran hull reduces rolling, delivering a smoother and more stable ride, even in choppier Hawaiian waters.
- Passenger Comfort: Spacious seating areas at both the bow and stern ensure all guests enjoy plush accommodations with ample room to stretch out.
- Bow Lounge: The bow seating area is ideal for lounging during sunset cruises, whale watching, or simply soaking in the Hawaiian views.
What Sets Us Apart
What truly sets Holoholo Kai Charters apart is our team. We are not just tour guides but interpreters of the ocean, offering insights that transform a tour into an enriching odyssey.
Captain Tyson, born and raised on the Big Island, brings a lifetime of local knowledge to every tour. For 18 years, he worked as the head lifeguard at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, ensuring guest safety while fostering a deep bond with Hawaiʻi’s ocean culture and environment. He knows precisely where to navigate the tour for memorable moments. Our other captain, Suelang, brings unique skills honed in the waters of Tahiti, where she swims with whales and studies their behaviors. She is a seasoned marine naturalist and underwater leader. Her ability to interpret whale songs and predict their movements offers a remarkable window into the lives of these amazing animals. Together, our team combines adeptness, passion, and a lifetime of ocean immersion, creating an unmatched front-row seat to natural splendor.
This level of mastery — this ability to connect guests to the rhythms of the ocean and the nuances of its wildlife — is the true magic of Holoholo Kai Charters. For visitors unfamiliar with the complexities of Hawaiʻi’s marine environment, our guidance illuminates the unknown into a source of wonder. We foster knowledge and connection, which leaves guests with a deeper appreciation for the island and its treasures. This is the alignment of aloha, where every journey is both a dream realized and a union with the soul of the islands.
Our Team
Meet the passionate professionals behind our charters.
Tyson Yoshizumi
A native of Hilo, Tyson Yoshizumi moved to Puako (just a few miles south of Mauna Kea Resort) with his family at the age of five. For the past 18 years, he has been working in his childhood home’s front yard as a waterman. He grew up at the beach – swimming, diving, and surfing. Tyson is a USCG certified captain with fifteen years of experience driving boats.
Suelang Watson
All the way from the North East of England, seasoned traveller and dedicated environmentalist Suelang Watson has lived in Hawaiʻi for over 10 years. Suelang is a licensed USCG Boat captain, certified in scuba and an avid free-diver. (Some may say a part-time mermaid) An experienced marine naturalist and underwater guide, she thrives most when out on, or in, the ocean. Suelang is happiest and in her element leading underwater tours of the reef, sharing her passion for sustainability and the ocean with others.
Casey Trautwein
Casey Trautwein is a native of Philadelphia, Pennslyvania. He has worked in the maritime industry for 6 years. Sailing has taken him to Northern Europe, Alaska, and Hawaii. Casey is a spirited person with a love for being in the ocean. This, combined with a love for photography, called him to choose a life of the sea. He is an avid surfer and diver in his free time.
