Gary Morgan
Commodore/Director
Member Since 2015, Current Term Ends 2027
Contact: commodore@hilosailing.orgGary can’t remember a time in life without sailing. He grew up sailing the Pacific Northwest and migrated to Hawaii to sail our warmer waters 10 years ago. We couldn’t be more thankful that he relocated and landed here on Hilo bay working with our team. He has been a mentor and friend to us all. If you learn from this salty Steady Eddie, you will go far in your sailing career! Gary is now serving his second term as our commodore, giving private and group lessons, and coaching with our youth sailing program. call or text (206) 303-7411
Christpher “Diggory” Green
3 Year Term (Ends 2029)
The day was New Year’s Eve, 2019. The Hilo air was crisp, the sun was shining, and Dig was where most of us begin our sailing journeys- in the water, next to an up-side-down Sunfish. “Is THIS what people are into?” he thought, which was soon followed by a zealous, “Heck yeah, I’m into this!” He has finally returned to Hilo Bay after a short stint on the mainland sailing his Edel 665 on Cayuga Lake in Upstate New York. He is eager to share his love of all things sailing. Book a private or group lesson with him today!
Ben Berkey
Racing/Director
3 Year Term (Ends 2026)
Rhonda Reep
Director/Club Manager
Member Since 2017, Current Term Ends 2028
Coach Rhonda
Head Coach & Youth Program Director, US Sailing Level 2 Instructor, Club Keelboat Instructor, Topper and Laser Enthusiast
Call Coach Rhonda anytime! She is our club manager and knows all things NHH! She is always eager to help point you in the right direction or lend a helping hand. Coach Rhonda came to Hilo Bay 8 years ago with a dream to start a kids program to help our island keiki grow into amazing humans through sailing for fun and educational purposes. She is passionate about helping kids ages 2 to 92 to get out on the water and enjoy the bliss of sailing. After a late start to her sailing career at age 44, she is doing her best to make up for lost time and help others make their sailing dreams come true. Whether you are looking to sail around the bay on dinghies, looking to find a safe place for your kids to enjoy the ocean, or dream of sailing around the world, let Coach Rhonda help make it a reality!
Anton Vasilescu
Director
Member Since 2025, Current Term Ends 2026
Luca Vecchitto
Director
Member Since 2021, Current Term Ends 2028
Chris Magoon
Director
Member Since 2025, Current Term Ends 2026
As a windward-side big island resident of 25 years, I’m honored to be a part of an organization that facilitates access for all the people of the island to get out on the water! I find being on our ocean, whether it’s riding the currents and swells on a kayak rounding the valleys north from Waipio, bottom fishing and trolling, or being visited by our ocean mammals, an incredibly grounding and transformative experience. My introduction to sailing was in different waters aboard a 130ft gaff rigged schooner off the foggy coasts of Maine for a summer program at 15 years of age. The freedom and independence offered by passage sailing has captured my imagination ever since and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to pursue that wind driven passion alongside the members of Na Hoa Holomoku!
Robert James
Director / Treasurer
Member Since 2025, Current Term Ends 2026
I have been in & on the water for 40 years, starting with skin/SCUBA diving and moving on to boating as I grew up. I am a NAUI certified SCUBA instructor. I have worked at the Bodega Bay Marine Labs in California as the Assistant Diving Safety Officer, where I taught diving to undergrads and grad students, and maintained all equipment including boats, trailers, compressors, dive gear, life support gear, etc.
I started my own compressor manufacturing company fresh out of graduate school, which I ran for nearly 30 years before selling off in 2025. We manufactured compressors for industries diverse as commercial diving, life support, shipboard fire suppression, food/drug, aerospace, and many more.
My children started sailing with NHH in 2022, and my middle son Karcher has now been certified as a US Sailing Association instructor, and is a fixture at most camps and events. I joined the Board of Directors to support his love of sailing, and I am honored to be joining the ranks of such amazing sailors and instructors.