NAWILIWILI — Kauai is the only island to host a Sea Scout program in Hawaii, Sea Scout officials announced on Friday when the two troops, one in Kapa‘a and the other in Port Allen, gathered with friends and government officials to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Sea Scouts at Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor.
NAWILIWILI — Kauai is the only island to host a Sea Scout program in Hawaii, Sea Scout officials announced on Friday when the two troops, one in Kapa‘a and the other in Port Allen, gathered with friends and government officials to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Sea Scouts at Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor.
Over the course of 15 years, that status has never changed, although the presenting body, Scouting of America, has evolved from its original Boy Scouts of America name.
The Kauai Sea Scouts was formed by a father-son combination of Larry and Max Richardson in 2009 when Commodore Larry approached the Kauai Police Activities League for help in getting sponsored.
Friday’s gathering included sea scouts from both the Kapaa and Port Allen ports coming together to celebrate the accomplishments and hundreds of Kauai youths who took part in the many ocean adventures aboard the Sea Scout’s 40-foot trawler, the Decisive, which is moored at Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor.
The Sea Scouts is a co-ed program of Scouting of America for young men and women between the ages of 14-20 years old.
Sea Scouting has a particular emphasis on boating and water-based activities and, for more than 100 years, promoted better citizenship, improved members’ boating skills through instruction and practice in water safety, boating skills, outdoor social service experiences and knowledge of maritime heritage.
On Kauai, Sea Scouts may sail or cruise on boats, learn navigation, learn how to work on engines and compete in regional events.
As the sole program of its type in Hawaii, the Kauai Sea Scouts has received national recognition after being named to the National Flagship Fleet for three times during the past decade, and being named as one of the Top 10 Sea Scout programs in the nation.
Kauai Sea Scouts continue to share their adventures with the community through their own TV show on Hoike Kauai Community Television and is a place in Kapaa or Port Allen where youths can grow and learn, find adventures and build long-lasting friendships.