Talk Story with an Advertiser: Fair Wind Big Island Ocean Guides
The beginning of Fair Wind Big Island Ocean Guides is a recognizable one. The family-owned company was started by Michael and Janet Dant, when they built their first boat in 1969 in Monterey, California, and planned a trip through the South Pacific.
When they began sailing from California to Hawai‘i, their trip was cut short due to a damaged boat, and they ended up off the Kona coast. The Dants had to stop their expedition to make repairs and the whole community pitched in with aloha spirit.
It was then the Dants knew they had found what they “weren’t” looking for: a home. They started the Fair Wind business the following year, giving snorkel tours and dinner cruises.
Today, the Dants’ son Puhi and his wife Mendy own Fair Wind, and the company fleet is made up of four main boats. Itʻs original trimaran with the tri-colored striped sail is now Fair Windʻs trademark. Twice a day it sails into Kealakekua Bay. Passengers of the cruise can slide down the waterslide, relax on the top deck, or snorkel in the clear waters by the Captain Cook monument.
And, if they can’t swim or snorkel, there are floatation devices and viewing boxes. Penn Henderson, Director of Sales and Marketing at Fair Wind, took his family on a tour recently and even his 15-month-old son enjoyed splashing in the water and looking through the viewing box to the fish down below.
Most Fair Wind customers come to Keauhou Bay as tourists, visiting Hawai‘i Island with their families on vacation. However, Fair Wind also has a Kama‘aina Club, which is free to join. All you need is a Hawai‘i driver’s license and you can earn points for your purchases and for referring friends. The points earn you discounts and free cruises with Fair Wind.
This year they earned a Hawai‘i ecotourism certification. They understand the importance of sustaining and taking care of the environment.
“We are sharing beauty with people in a responsible way,” says Penn. The boats use biodiesel fuel, and the company is looking into solar possibilities.
Fair Wind
808-322-2788
Aloha@fair-wind.com
Fair-wind.com
