Coach Rhonda
Head Coach & Youth Program Director, US Sailing Level 2 Instructor, Club Keelboat Instructor, Topper and Laser Enthusiast
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!
Coach Gary
Racing Team Coach & Keelboat and Dinghy Instructor
Coach Gary 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!
Call or text (206) 303-7411
Coach Micah
Sailing 101 instructor, private lessons & Freediving Instructor
Originally from British Columbia, Canada, Micah came to Hawaii in 2017 and quickly fell in love with the ocean and became obsessed with freediving, spearfishing, sailing, surfing and scuba diving. She finds immense peace and calmness in and around water and holds high respect for the ocean knowing it can be friendly but powerful. Her wish is to encourage comfort and ocean safety for her students.
Coach Maka
US Sailing Level 3 Instructor, Racing Coach
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Coach Gavin
US Sailing Level 3 Instructor, Racing Coach, Catamarans, Sailing 105
Gavin Vasilescu is a US Sailing Level 3 certified instructor with current CPR/First Aid and SafeSport certifications. He started sailing at 11 years old in Southern California, and he has been with Na Hoa Holomoku since the beginning of 2024. Focused on racing, he competes in ILCA, WASZP, and just about anything he gets time on. Besides training his younger brother for the junior sailing Olympics, Gavin regularly travels to O‘ahu and the mainland for training, clinics, and regattas. In 2025, he took 1st place at Na Hoa Holomoku’s ILCA Championship. Gavin’s known for staying calm under pressure, showing up prepared, and being the first one in the water and the last one out.
Coach Spencer
US Sailing Level 2 Instructor
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Coach “Little” Mica
US Sailing Level 1 Instructor
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Coach Elijah
US Sailing Level 1 Instructor
Coach Eli is always looking for the next big adventure! He came to the Big Island 10 years ago and could never stop his longing to return. He quickly obtained his US Sailing Level 1 instructor quals and dove into the sailing program with his usual zeal and enthusiasm upon his homecoming. He is loving teaching with his mom and brother on Hilo Bay. You will never regret a day on the water with Coach Eli!
Call or text (808) 796-7516
Coach Diggory
US Sailing Level 1 Instructor
Coach Dig has finally returned to Hilo Bay after a short stint on the mainland sailing his Edel 665 sailboat 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!
Call or text (607) 972-6406
Coach Lili
US Sailing Level 1 Instructor
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Coach Marc
Lover of Sailing and Keiki Camp Volunteer
Coach Marc knows the healing power of sailing and loves to share it with everyone at our club. He is our go-to coach for catamarans, but he loves Laser sailing and volunteering at kids camp as well. The camp keiki always look forward to their catamaran sailing day with Coach Marc. Whenever there is a project requiring extra hands, he is there to help and one of the most genuinely good humans you will ever have the privilege of knowing.
Junior Coaches
Coach Carcher
US Sailing Level 1 Instructor
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Coach Luca
US Sailing Level 1 Instructor
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Coach Koji
US Sailing Level 1 Instructor
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Coach Kalei
US Sailing Level 1 Instructor
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Coach Liam
US Sailing Level 1 Instructor
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