THE PADDLE ON! CREW

I have lived in Maui for 7.2 years. Everyone here knows their “Born On” or Moved to Maui date… Mine is August 13, 2008.

I guess I could give you the abbreviated version… but that’s no fun! I could easily write a book or two on moving to Maui as well (Stay tuned as that is part of my Master Plan). I will shoot for somewhere in between. My family owned a Condo in Maui for almost 30 years. I had just visited Maui to  help my Mother when she broke her hip and I stayed with her for about 3 weeks (at the time I was living in New Jersey). You could say I got my Maui “Groove” on while I was here…. I felt different. Connected. I returned home with some  major decisions about my life…

Here are the results…

1. I decided to get “Un-Married”
2. It turned out that I could do my Job anywhere (who knew?)
3. My Mother had returned home to Michigan to further recover, so the Condo was empty.

Clearly, the solution was to move to Maui.

When I moved to Maui, I had a “real” job/profession as they say (“they” used to be me). I worked in the Credit Card Industry, selling Merchant Service, POS Systems and ATM’s. I was on Maui for only 5 months and got laid off from work. Meanwhile, when I first moved to Maui, I had met some friends who were Paddleboard/Kayak guides and they used to let me come down and use the Kayaks to go Whale Watching. I always stayed to help with the “clean-up” of the Kayaks etc. as a thank you for letting me get out on the ocean for a few hours. (Who knew this would be my future training…).

As luck would have it, a month after I was laid off they (the Kayak/Paddleboard Company) asked if I wanted to start working with them. I was like, “Ummmm… you mean like as in a job? People do this for a living?” And that’s how I got my training and new awesome profession (AKA: Best Job in the World!)

A couple of years later, I started a business that I was able to make my own, with all the “little something extras” that I would personally appreciate as a guest on a tour, that would escalate our tours from average to unforgettable.

I love to help our guests make an amazing memory on Maui. That is what motivates me (and our crew) the most. We are motivated by showing our guests an unforgettable ocean experience in the same way that we would treat a member of our own Family (Ohana). This is the reason I chose to do only Private Tours. We love to experience the people we are with and genuinely welcome them into our Island Ohana.

I did group tours for about 3 weeks when I started this business and I realized quickly that there was no joy in it because I couldn’t get to know my guests… It was more like a “juggling act” between many different groups on the tour. With private tours I can take the time to make the experience “personal” for everyone including me… The best motivator is meeting and making new friends from all over the World, welcoming them into our Ohana and showing them an unforgettable Maui!

Another thing that motivates me (you could say it is a passion) is getting the message out to people that they CAN move to Maui, or wherever their heart desires. There is ALWAYS an option in your life.

I hear THIS a lot… “I wish I could move to Maui.” Well YOU CAN! If you don’t mean it… don’t say it to me… as I have shamelessly encouraged many people to take that leap of faith to GO FOR IT! Anyone can do it… It takes compromise and the little sacrifice of letting go of things that you only “think” you “need.” Living life in a simpler, more humble way is an easier road than you think if you want to achieve that feeling of peace, freedom and the satisfaction of living YOUR dream… It’s waiting for you… ANYONE can do it!

We get this question often as well, “You live on Maui… where could you possibly go on vffacation?” My response is: “We go home.” We go see our families and friends, enjoy the crisp smell of Fall(and a fireplace) or the beauty of flowers blooming in the Spring. But, once I get THAT fix in, I love to go anywhere that I can get a “new” stamp in my passport! The list is long, as I just started my “passport stamping” adventures last year. I had a goal to go to every state in the U.S. before I went out of the country. And I did, with the exception of Alaska. I will be doing that next summer as I hope to follow our beloved Hawaiian Humpback Whales to their home away from home.

Wow… I have so many, the list would be long haha… But I’ll give you the most important one. Only Guests who have been out on a tour with me during Whale Season know this…

I speak Whale.

Dunellen, NJ

My Mom’s best friend has lived on Maui since 1969. I came to the North Shore to visit her as a teenager and fell in love with island life!

I love working in nature and getting to share new experiences with people from all over the world! The ocean is the best office I’ve ever had!

Adventure to hidden Maui waterfalls!

Hookipa Beach in Paia for turtles and surfing. Road to Hana rainforest drive. Iao valley for a peaceful jungle hike.

Maui Brew Co. Has great vibe, the best avocado toast and a wide variety of local beers… of course! 😉 Monkey Pod in Wailea is a must stop for Happy Hour Mai Thai! Cafe O’lei in Kihei is a great local lunch spot.

I’m a Yogi

I grew up in a small town in North Carolina called Roxboro.

My boyfriend lived in Maui for 10 years, we met in Roxboro and decided to move to Maui.

The activity industry is new and exciting to me, I feel like it is an awesome way to show/teach about the history of Maui.

On my days off I enjoy painting, laying out, and hanging out with my boyfriend.

My favorite sightseeing place on Maui is Ioa valley, it feels spiritual and welcoming.  

My favorite restaurant on Maui is tikki Lounge, because I love pizza and I think there’s is the best.

Painter