What MANA Cruises + Charters does

MANA Cruises + Charters is a Native Hawaiian-owned private yacht charter company founded in 2017 by Jacob Kahiapo and headquartered in Ko Olina, Hawaii. The company operates a three-vessel fleet from two Oahu locations: Ko Olina Marina (West Oahu) and Ala Wai Boat Harbor (Waikiki). Vessels include the 46ft MANAKAHI sailing catamaran, the 43ft HILINA'I power catamaran, and the 32ft THE VENTURE BOAT sport catamaran, each configured for distinct experience types such as snorkeling, sunset sails, wildlife watching, seasonal whale watching (with an underwater hydrophone), and nearshore fishing.

Revenue is generated through private charter bookings ($700–$800/hour or $650–$2,400 per packaged vessel experience for up to 6 guests, extendable to 10), shared charter experiences priced at $205–$325 per person on scheduled departures, and premium add-ons via the MANA ELEVATE module (jet ski adventures from $1,600, private chef dining from $500, proposal packages from $600, and additional guest fees). Customer segments include Oahu leisure tourists, milestone/celebration groups, corporate clients, and luxury hotel guests. Booking is delivered through the FareHarbor platform with real-time availability, supported by concierge referral partnerships with Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina and Halekulani Hotel, channel distribution through Viator, Airbnb Experiences, and Pleasant Holidays, and cultural alignment with the Hawai'i Visitors & Convention Bureau and Hawaiian Council.

The company has completed over 2,000 charters since founding, maintains a 5.0 Google rating across 506+ reviews, and operates with a team of approximately 8 people led by its founder. It is privately held with no disclosed institutional funding or parent company, has grown organically from a single boat to a three-vessel, two-location operation, and was recognized in May 2025 as a Hawaii Business Magazine Best of Small Business winner with a SmallBiz Editor's Choice Award.

Name

MANA Cruises + Charters

Legal name

MANA Cruises + Charters

Website

https://manacruises.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Native Hawaiian-owned private yacht charter company founded in 2017, operating three vessels from Ko Olina Marina and Ala Wai Boat Harbor on Oahu to deliver small-group snorkeling, sunset sail, whale-watch, and fishing experiences for tourists, luxury resort guests, and celebration groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Luxury Yacht Charter Services

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721), Recreational Goods Rental (532284)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Yacht & Luxury Boat Charters (With Crew) (THAJALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cruise Yacht Charters (Private Crewed) (THAEADAG), Private Charters & Yacht Experiences (Crewed, Bareboat, Day Charters) (THAJAJAB)

Keywords

• Private yacht charters
• Luxury boat tours
• Ocean experiences
• Snorkeling charters
• Sunset cruises

Headquarters

HQ city

Kapolei

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Private Charter Rentals: Hourly or vessel-rate private charter bookings for exclusive group experiences aboard MANAKAHI, HILINA'I, or VENTURE vessels. Prices range from $650-$2,400 depending on vessel and duration.
2. Shared Charter Experiences: Per-person shared charter experiences with set departure times and curated activities. Includes snorkeling, sunset sails, and wildlife watching at $205-$325 per person.
3. MANA ELEVATE Add-Ons: Premium add-on experiences for private charters including jet ski adventures, private chef dining, proposal packages, and additional guest accommodations. Priced as flat fees or per-person charges.
4. Affiliate/Partner Referrals: Commission-based revenue from FareHarbor Distribution Network referral partners and wholesale/OTA partners (Viator, Airbnb Experiences, Pleasant Holidays).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Native Hawaiian-owned private yacht charter company operating on Oahu, Hawaii since 2017. Sells private and shared catamaran charter experiences including hourly yacht rentals, snorkeling, sunset tastings, wildlife watching, whale watching, and nearshore fishing from Ko Olina Marina and Ala Wai Boat Harbor (Waikiki). Premium add-on experiences (MANA ELEVATE) including jet ski adventures, private chef dining, and proposal packages are sold exclusively with private charters.

Product overview

MANA Cruises + Charters is a Native Hawaiian-owned private yacht charter company offering small-group luxury experiences on Oahu, Hawaii since 2017. The fleet operates three distinct vessels: MANAKAHI (46ft sail catamaran) and THE VENTURE BOAT (32ft sport catamaran) from Ko Olina Marina, and HILINA'I (43ft power catamaran) from Ala Wai Boat Harbor in Waikiki. The product portfolio comprises 16 core charter experiences organized by location (Ko Olina or Waikiki), charter type (Private or Shared), and activity type (snorkeling, sunset tasting, fishing, whale watching, wildlife viewing). Private charters offer hourly bookings ($700-$800/hour) or packaged experiences ($650-$2,400/vessel) for up to 6-10 guests with full customization. Shared charters provide per-person pricing ($205-$325/person) for small groups on scheduled departures. The VENTURE BOAT specializes in intimate 6-guest wildlife, fishing, and seasonal whale watching experiences. MANA ELEVATE is an add-on module offering premium experiences (additional guests, jet ski adventures, private chef dining, proposal packages) exclusively for private charter customers. All charters include hosted bar, professional snorkel/fishing gear, certified crew, and menu options appropriate to departure time.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ko Olina Private Charter By The Hour Flexible hourly private yacht charter aboard MANAKAHI from Ko Olina Marina. Daily 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM departures, 2-8 hour options including snorkeling, sailing, wildlife watching, and fishing with menu options and hosted bar. From $700/hour for up to 6 guests. For tourists and groups seeking exclusive ocean experiences.
• Waikiki Private Charter By The Hour Flexible hourly private yacht charter aboard HILINA'I from Ala Wai Boat Harbor (Waikiki). Daily 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM departures, 2-8 hour options including snorkeling, cruising, wildlife watching, and fishing with menu options and hosted bar. From $800/hour for up to 6 guests.
• Ko Olina Private Morning Snorkel + Lunch Private 3-hour snorkel charter aboard MANAKAHI departing Ko Olina at 10:00 AM with tailored agenda. Includes snorkeling, hosted bar, and lunch. From $1,950/vessel for up to 6 guests.
• Ko Olina Private Sunset + Tasting Private 2-hour sunset charter aboard MANAKAHI departing Ko Olina. Includes Pupu tasting menu and hosted bar. From $1,350/vessel for up to 6 guests.
• Waikiki Private Morning Snorkel + Lunch Private 3-hour snorkel charter aboard HILINA'I departing Waikiki at 10:00 AM with tailored agenda. Includes snorkeling, hosted bar, and lunch. From $2,400/vessel for up to 6 guests.
• Waikiki Private Afternoon Snorkel + Cruise Private 2-hour afternoon charter aboard HILINA'I departing Waikiki at 2:00 PM. Cruise past Diamond Head and snorkel the reef with light fare menu and hosted bar. From $1,600/vessel for up to 6 guests.
• Waikiki Private Sunset + Tasting Private 2-hour sunset charter aboard HILINA'I departing Waikiki. Includes tasting menu and hosted bar. From $1,600/vessel for up to 6 guests.
• Ko Olina Shared Morning Snorkel + Lunch Shared 3-hour snorkel charter aboard MANAKAHI departing Ko Olina at 9:00 AM, Mon/Wed/Sat. Includes professional snorkel gear, hosted bar, and lunch. From $325/person for up to 6 guests.
• Ko Olina Shared Captain's Sunset + Tasting Shared 2-hour sunset sail aboard MANAKAHI departing Ko Olina, Mon/Wed/Sat. Includes Pupu tasting menu (short rib, seared ahi, chicken, sushi spoon, fried rice) and hosted bar. From $225/person for up to 6 guests.
• Waikiki Shared Morning Snorkel + Lunch Shared 2.5-hour snorkel charter aboard HILINA'I departing Waikiki at 10:00 AM, Tue/Thu/Sun. Includes professional snorkel gear, hosted bar, and lunch. From $270/person for up to 6 guests.
• Waikiki Shared Yacht Swim + Snorkel Shared 2-hour afternoon snorkel charter aboard HILINA'I departing Waikiki at 1:30 PM, Tue/Thu/Sun. Includes professional snorkel gear, hosted bar, Hawaiian chips, pineapple, and strawberries. From $205/person for up to 6 guests.
• Waikiki Shared Captain's Sunset + Tasting Shared 2-hour sunset charter aboard HILINA'I departing Waikiki, Tue/Thu/Sun. Includes tasting menu (Maui Brew IPA braised short rib, crab/shrimp poke, haupia) and hosted bar. From $240/person for up to 6 guests.
• VENTURE Ko Olina Wildlife Snorkel Private 2-hour wildlife snorkel aboard THE VENTURE BOAT departing Ko Olina at 10:00am, 1:00pm, 4:00pm. Includes snorkel gear, fishing equipment, soft drinks, snacks. Opportunity to see turtles, dolphins, whales, flying fish. From $995/vessel for up to 6 guests.
• VENTURE Ko Olina Whale Watch Private 1.5-hour seasonal whale watching charter aboard THE VENTURE BOAT departing Ko Olina at 4:00 PM. Available December 15 - March 31. Includes hydrophone for whale-song listening. From $750/vessel for up to 6 guests.
• VENTURE Ko Olina Whale Watch + Snorkel Private 2-hour seasonal whale watch with snorkel aboard THE VENTURE BOAT departing Ko Olina. Available December 15 - March 31. Includes hydrophone, snorkel equipment, light snacks. From $995/vessel for up to 6 guests.
• VENTURE Ko Olina Nearshore Fishing Private 2-hour nearshore fishing charter aboard THE VENTURE BOAT departing Ko Olina at 7:00 AM. Includes professional fishing gear, snacks, local fishing technique instruction. Targets papio, ta'age, uku. Fishing license not included. From $650/vessel for up to 6 guests.
• MANA ELEVATE Add-Ons Premium add-on experiences exclusively for private charters including Additional Guests (up to 10 total, $130/person), Jet Ski Adventure (from $1,600/group), Private Chef Dining (from $500/group, 5-course experience), and Proposal Package (from $600 flat rate with professional photographer and champagne).

Quantifiable outcome

• 2000+ charters completed with consistent 5-star reviews
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko OlinacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFlagship resort partnership where MANA is featured as a recommended activity for hotel guests. Includes priority availability, custom collateral for concierge desk, and direct referral relationship. Fabrice Ollivier, Chef Concierge & Director of Guest Experience, has publicly endorsed MANA's exceptional ocean experiences aligning with Four Seasons luxury standards.
• Halekulani HotelcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLuxury resort partner recommending MANA charters to guests seeking authentic Hawaiian water experiences.
• Hawai'i Visitors & Convention Bureau (HVCB)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial tourism partnership with Hawaii's primary visitors and convention bureau, supporting MANA's visibility as a trusted Hawaiian-owned charter operator.
• Hawaiian CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partnership supporting Native Hawaiian heritage and authentic cultural storytelling in charter experiences.
• ViatorminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOTA distribution partner listing MANA experiences for sale through Viator's global travel platform.
• Airbnb ExperiencesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExperience marketplace partner offering MANA charters to Airbnb guests visiting Oahu.
• Pleasant HolidaysminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTour operator partner with net rate contracts for volume booking of MANA charter experiences.
• Aloha i ke KaiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal partner organization supporting Hawaiian hospitality experiences and referrals.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Airbnb Experiences: Global experience marketplace and channel partner for MANA, where the company competes with other Oahu boat charter hosts for traveler attention and bookings.
• Viator (Tripadvisor Experiences): OTA platform where MANA lists its shared and private experiences, competing against hundreds of other Hawaii charter operators on price, ratings, and discoverability.

Broad incumbents

• Star of Honolulu: Largest Oahu dinner cruise operator offering a broader, more commoditized cruise product versus MANA's bespoke private charters; competes for corporate events, celebrations, and tourist activity dollars.
• Dream Yacht Worldwide: Global yacht charter company with bareboat, skippered, and crewed offerings; a much larger, broader incumbent in the luxury charter category that competes for upscale traveler dollars globally.

Direct peers

• Atlantis Cruises Hawaii: Oahu-based submarine and catamaran tour operator offering premium sightseeing experiences at a larger scale than MANA; competes for similar luxury tourist and resort guest activity budgets.
• Ocean Joy Cruises: Oahu-based whale watch, sunset, and snorkel cruise operator running small-group shared experiences that overlap with MANA's shared charter offerings and price points.
• Hawaii Ocean Project (Ocean Concepts Inc.): Oahu-based operator running small-group snorkeling, dolphin, and whale-watch catamaran tours out of Ko Olina and Waikiki, directly competing with MANA on shared charter experiences and price points.
• Hawaii Sailing Experience (Holokai Catamaran): Small-group sailing and snorkeling charters on Oahu catamarans, overlapping MANA's shared charter product (sunset sails, snorkel trips) and competing for similar tourist and resort-concierge demand.

Regional players

• Tradewind Charters: Premium crewed yacht charter company in the Caribbean offering a comparable small-group luxury private charter model to MANA, but in a different geographic market.
• Na Pali Coast Catamaran Charters (Kauai): Hawaiian neighbor-island catamaran charter operator in Kauai offering similar small-group snorkel and sunset sails to MANA's Ko Olina lineup, but serving a different island market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/manacruises
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mana-cruises-charters

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MANA Cruises + Charters