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Meet The Crew

Choose your captain and fill out the request form.

HIRE ONE OF DA TEAM

If you have your own boat or are a part of the Hawaii Boat Club and want Da Whale Boat experience, our team can be hired. Please select your preferred captain/crew and your desired date and time. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.

*Availability is not guaranteed. We can better accommodate a request with a min of a 2 week notice. For a last minute request, we cannot guarantee availability of Da Whale Boat team. You will have the option for a refund if we cannot meet your request.

Meet Captain Kelsey 

Kelsey Waliszewski is the founder of Da Whale Boat on Big Island, Hawaii.  She is an avid kiteboarder, former triathlete, world traveler, and overall entrepreneur. Kelsey’s love for challenge and adventure is a huge part of who she is. “I believe women are capable of anything they put their mind to, and I have tried to exemplify that truth statement in my life.” Her more recent endeavor, tied to the boat business, is

She is also the host of is her dad, a retiree from Focus on the Family where he was the Director of Plugged In and was on KLOVE radio every Friday. Their series, ‘Onipa’a: Building Resiliency, is a popular tool to help people push through pain and walk in purpose. Listen to Kelsey’s story here on

Learn more from Kelsey about Sex Trafficking in her conversation with

Meet Deckhand Eden and Snorkel Guide Extraordinaire 

Eden is a dedicated and hardworking deckhand with a passion for the ocean. Whether spotting humpback whales, locating and identifying exotic sea creatures during daytime reef snorkeling tours, or guiding groups during nighttime manta ray excursions, Eden is a reliable and skilled crew member who takes pride in contributing to a safe, fun, and educational experience for all.

Meet Fisherman Ocean who happens to be a Professional Baseball Player

Ocean Gabonia is a professional baseball player and waterman. “I grew up in Hawaii learning everything and anything about the Ocean. From fishing, spearfishing, and surfing. I get to experience many exciting things while I work like catching fish, talking stories, and cruising on Da Whale boat. Here, you get to experience all the wonderful creations, adventures, and excitement that God has blessed us with.”

Meet Deckhand and Project Coordinator for For Children to Flourish Renee

Renee Perrington is the glue of the non-profit For Children to Flourish. When she has time, she loves coming out during the whale season to deckhand and host trips on Da Whale Boat. She is a wife, mom of 4, friend to many, lover of all creatures, and warrior for our planet and our kids. For questions, scheduling a boat trip, volunteering your boat, and/or international endeavors of collaboration please email Renee at aloha@forchildrentoflourish.org or call 808-747-6405.

Meet Captain Steve

Steve has a passion for God, people and whales. Raised on the waters of Puget Sound, outside Seattle, Steve moved to Juneau, Alaska where he has been a whale watching boat captain for 16 years and the founder of Alaska Humpback Adventures. Married for 37 years, Steve and his wife, Janet, have 7 children and 9 grandchildren. Steve comes to Hawaii excited to experience the warmer waters and weather, just like the whales.