The longtime youth maritime program on Kauaʻi is inviting the community to climb aboard and see what life at sea is all about during a recruiting open house this weekend at Nāwiliwili Small Boat Harbor.
The Kauaʻi Sea Scouts will host the event from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, welcoming boys and girls ages 12 to 18 to learn about the program, meet current members, and explore its new donated vessel “Sun Seeker.”
Guilligan Mate Tom Worthen said the open house comes at an exciting time, as the group recently debuted its new yacht equipped with modern amenities.
“We went from a 40-foot trawler to a 61-foot yacht with three fridges, a washer and dryer, a dishwasher, a BBQ, three bathrooms, air conditioning and a microwave,” he said.
The vessel comes from Kona on the Big Island, and was from an individual that “wanted the (harbor) slip it was in but did not want the boat,” Worthen said.
For 15 years, the Kauaʻi Sea Scouts have introduced local youth to seamanship, leadership and teamwork, while fostering a connection to the ocean. The program is the only Sea Scout group in Hawaiʻi and has helped shape generations of participants, some of whom have gone on to maritime careers.
Scouts spend summers and school breaks exploring the Hawaiian Islands, with trips ranging from three-day excursions to extended voyages lasting several weeks. Plans for this summer include two three-day cruises and a two-week cruise from Oʻahu to Molokaʻi.
Worthen adds the experience goes beyond boating skills, emphasizing citizenship, friendship, and confidence-building in a hands-on environment. Over the years, the Kauaʻi Sea Scouts have also responded to real-life emergencies at sea, assisting other vessels in distress on five occasions.
The Kaua’i Sea Scouts have also earned recognition at the state and national levels.
Community members are encouraged to attend Saturday’s open house to meet the crew, tour the yacht, and learn how to get involved. Community members can click here to learn more.
To see a video about the open house, click here.
