Advantage of a fair wind Cruise company celebrating 35 years in May ADVERTISING 35 and counting… Fair Wind celebrating anniversary in May Special to West Hawaii Today What began as a brief rendezvous in Kona on a cruise from Monterey
Advantage of a fair wind
Cruise company celebrating 35 years in May
35 and counting…
Fair Wind celebrating anniversary in May
Special to West Hawaii Today
What began as a brief rendezvous in Kona on a cruise from Monterey to the South Pacific has turned into a lifetime adventure for the Dant family.
Fair Wind celebrates that beginning in May as the company marks the 35th anniversary of that brief rendezvous. Since 1971, Fair Wind has offered its snorkel cruises out of Keauhou Bay to Kealakekua Bay, site of the historic Captain Cook monument.
In 1969, Michael Dant built the original Fair Wind vessel, a 50-foot trimaran that he began sailing with wife Janet and a crew of nine. But damage to the vessel on a trip between California and Hawaii in 1970 cut their trip short. The aloha they experienced while in Kona prompted the Dants to reconsider their journey, and they never left Kona.
After a year of work, the Fair Wind business began with snorkel cruises to Kealakekua Bay. Soon after, dinner sails were drawing visitors to Fair Wind, the biggest boat in Kona at the time holding up to 50 people. Often the Fair Wind sailed three times a night to meet the demand of the tour groups.
In 1973, son Puhi arrived in Kona on vacation and decided to stay. By 1974, Fair Wind began focusing on the snorkel cruise business. He remembers impromptu inner tube races around the vessel, flying kites with long tails that trailed behind the boat, and sailing across the open sea.
Fair Wind saw many changes in 1975. The vessel’s cabin was raised and a water slide was added. The traditional main meal of tuna fish sandwich was replaced by the current menu, barbecue lunches of cheeseburgers and gardenburgers.
In 1983, Puhi and his wife Mendy purchased the Fair Wind business, and keeping in the tradition of his boat-building family, Puhi added a second vessel. The 50-foot trimaran, custom-designed to suit the needs of up to 100 snorkelers, divers and sightseers, was named the Hookele for their son, meaning “navigator” in Hawaiian.
The Hookele began service on Nov. 1, 1987, but was destroyed by Hurricane Iniki in September 1992, smashing her on the rocks between Keauhou and Heeia bays. Puhi and Mendy continued their service by leasing vessels for two years while a new Fair Wind was being built in Vancouver, Wash.
In 1994, Fair Wind II started its run. The custom-built, 60-foot aluminum catamaran with covered deck, and the same trademark sail, now included a 15-foot water slide, high jump platform, on-board restrooms, freshwater showers and a staircase descending directly into the water for easy water access.
In 1994, Fair Wind II started its run. The custom-built, 60-foot aluminum catamaran with covered deck, and the same trademark sail, now included a 15-foot water slide, high jump platform, on-board restrooms, freshwater showers and a staircase descending directly into the water for easy water access.
By 2001, Fair Wind’s fleet had grown to include the Orca Raft Adventure and a custom-designed, 11.5-foot mini-vessel, Fair Wind Tug. This fully operational vessel can be seen at Keauhou Bay and in numerous community parades.
Today, the next generation of ocean adventures begins with the recent launch of Fair Wind’s Hula Kai, a 55-foot Technicraft power catamaran. Technological benefits created from the catamaran’s hydrofoil design allow for smoother cruises at faster speeds while minimizing wake and fuel consumption. The Hula Kai also allows access to snorkeling and scuba locations along the remote South Kona Coast.
