About Hawaiian Paddle Sports
Hawaiian Paddle Sports was founded in 2010 by Tim Lara, who grew frustrated with the 'cattle call' approach of large-group ocean tours and set out to build something more personal and environmentally responsible. The company specialises in small-group and private kayak, outrigger canoe, and stand-up paddle tours that launch from Makena Landing and Olowalu—quiet stretches of coastline where sea turtle encounters are virtually guaranteed. During whale season, their kayak whale-watching trips bring paddlers eye-level with humpbacks in a way no motorised vessel can match.
What truly sets Hawaiian Paddle Sports apart is their commitment to sustainability. They became Maui's first Certified B Corporation and are a 1% for the Planet member, donating a portion of every booking to local environmental nonprofits through their Malama Maui programme. Guides are trained not only in CPR, first aid, and lifeguarding but also in marine naturalist education and Hawaiian cultural preservation. Every tour begins with a mini beach cleanup, and the company enforces a strict no-touch marine life policy and reef-safe sunscreen requirement.
The tour roster includes kayak-and-snorkel excursions, traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoe paddles that weave in cultural storytelling, SUP tours, and private surf lessons—all capped at small group sizes so every guest gets personalised attention. In 2018, the Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaii named them Hawaii's Sustainable Tour of the Year. For eco-conscious travellers who want to explore Maui's coastline responsibly and intimately, Hawaiian Paddle Sports is the gold standard.
