our story

Wake Maui is the fruit of years of dedication by USCG Certified Captain Ryan Hickey, a veteran in wakeboarding, skiing and an all-around sports enthusiast.

A man sitting in the captain's seat of a boat, smiling, wearing a gray hoodie, sunglasses, and a gray cap. His left foot is resting on the boat's controls, and his right foot is on the floor. The boat's dashboard has a GPS screen and a phone holder. The boat interior features wood-like flooring and a blue leather seat.

Hailing from Missoula, Montana, Ryan’s appreciation for the outdoors only grew with time. After earning a Philosophy degree from the University of Colorado and moving to Maui, he quickly joined a sailing company, advancing to USCG Captain in less than two years. Fueled by ambition, Ryan founded Wake Maui after 18 months of planning and hard work.

Ryan’s aloha spirit shines through in his welcoming nature, inviting guests from all walks of life to explore the beauty of Maui.

Two people are on a boat with a woman sitting in a seat, smiling and holding a water bottle, and a man steering the boat. The boat is on the water, with a clear sky and a distant shoreline.
A man wearing sunglasses, a gray hoodie, and a gray cap with a logo stands near a woman with long black hair, wearing a black top and striped shorts, inside an airport or waiting area.

Becoming a U.S. Coast Guard Certified Captain requires extensive maritime knowledge and experience. Ryan has also played a pivotal role in training boat crew and captains to expertly manage their vessels under the strictest Coast Guard regulations, ensuring a safe and memorable experience on the water.

rising from the ashes

The Lahaina fires in August 8, 2023 took a devastating toll, consuming Ryan’s home, four boats, a suburban, boards, equipment, and tools. As the sun set, Ryan and his puppy escaped, watching from a hillside as the town was engulfed in flames.

The following day, Ryan and his friend launched a website aimed at organizing and consolidating resources such as donation points, lists of missing persons, clean water sources, and more. In its first week, the site attracted over 8,000 unique visitors, who we hope found the assistance they needed and perhaps discovered unexpected resources. Ryan and his puppy Boomer visited shelters, spurring his journey to become a certified therapy dog.

With our town in ruins and our community scattered across Hawaii, Ryan contemplated the future of Wake Maui

Ultimately, Ryan realized there’s nothing he’d rather do than meet, host, and coach YOU! Witnessing your children grow up one vacation at a time, sharing in your achievements, and being part of your precious moments with friends and family have been immensely rewarding. Experiencing “I did it”, “Wow that’s beautiful!” and, “Did you see THAT!” moments are amazing. Thank you for letting us join and aid in the most valuable thing on Earth: Your time with friends and family.

MB Boats, the true saints they are, reached out to us before the last flame was extinguished, offering not just emotional support but also reassuring their support by replacing our boat and getting us back in operation. Their kindness and support have been immeasurable, and if you come out with us we’re confident you’ll be impressed by our new boat “Phoenix”.

A Labrador Retriever dog wearing a red life jacket sitting in a vehicle's driver's seat. The dog is wearing blue and white striped socks on its front paws. The vehicle appears to be a golf cart or similar open vehicle, with a steering wheel and dashboard visible. In the background, there are houses and trees.

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