Tour guide in Kona Shawn M.

I have always had an immense passion for the outdoors. I spent my youth hiking, backpacking, canoeing and surfing. All this time outside has given me a great appreciation for the natural world. I first attended San Diego State University as an Ecology and Natural History major. After a few years at SDSU, I felt drawn to a more immersive educational experience and transferred to Humboldt State University on the North Coast of California. There, in the beautiful redwood forest, I found my calling in adventure tourism and graduated with a degree in outdoor adventure education and minored in business administration. With an educational background in both ecology and tourism, guiding guests on adventures became the perfect fit. After college, I worked at Humboldt Redwoods State Park as a park aid and naturalist. I thought about a career as a fishing guide and started transitioning into the fishing industry, when I decided to relocate to Hawaii. Since living in Hawaii, I have worked as a boat captain and tour guide, taking guests from all over the world, all around this beautiful island. In my free time, I still love to do all my favorite outdoor activities: hiking, camping, backpacking, surfing, and diving. I love exploring and learning about all the beautiful places the Big Island has to offer. One of my favorite things to do is to look at maps, find new locations to explore, and then figure out how to get there. The Big Island's diverse ecosystem is constantly drawing me to learn more about this beautiful place. I love to share my passion, leading and teaching guests all about this diverse island that I call home. BA - Recreation Administration: Outdoor Adventure Education; Cal Poly Humboldt American Red Cross - Lifeguarding with CPR/AED For Professional Rescuers, First Aid, Administering Emergency Oxygen, and Waterfront Skills United States Coast Guard 100 ton Master State of Hawaii - Public Utilities Commission 1-7 Passenger Vehicle Permit State of Hawaii - Public Utilities Commission 8-25 Passenger Vehicle Permit Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Commercial Use Permit Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park Commercial Use Permit Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park Commercial Use Permit State of Hawai’i - Department of Land and Natural Resources Commercial Trail Access Permit State of Hawai’i - Harbors Division, Hawai’i District Ground Transportation Permit