Continuing the Build: Come Inside the Boatbuilding Shop With Us & Experience the Excitement Firsthand
We are back in Holo Holo Charter’s Boatbuilding Shop for an up-close and personal tour of the immense boatbuilding progress underway. To see this project and its magnitude firsthand is to witness something extraordinary. We are pioneering the way, on island and worldwide, as the first leisure boat tour company to use carbon infusion in our boats. This is modern boatbuilding at its finest.
Why use carbon?
- Super sustainable, sleek design
- Lightweight & Efficient
- Forward-thinking technique
- State-of-the-art technology
What motivated Holo Holo Charters to build their own catamarans in-house?
- Holo Holo’s owners, Chandra and Adrian Bertsch, are thoughtful and passionate about contributing to Kauaʻi’s local community and economy. The two new catamarans in progress are their legacy.
- Adrian, Holo Holo’s “Boat Boss,” began building and maintaining boats when he was 14 years old. Boatbuilding is in his blood.
- This boatbuilding venture is the Bertsch’s most significant professional challenge and growth opportunity to date. Constant improvement is in Holo Holo’s bones.
- The use of carbon infusion in our new catamarans is cutting-edge technology that could lead to a new local industry on Kauaʻi in the not-so-distant future.
- Carbon manufacturing diversifies and contributes to the evolution of the tourism economy.
- Based on years of experience and guest and crew feedback, we are able to incorporate elevated design components into our build. We’ve listened and are now delivering. Get ready for a better ride with fewer bumps, ocean spray, and more comfortable, covered seating.
Inside the Boatbuilding Shop
The scope of this remarkable project is evident as soon as you step inside the shop. The 75-foot build-in-progress takes up most of the shop’s massive length as the Team attentively moves about the hull construction, showcasing expert-level skills, dedication, precision, excitement, and teamwork. It is also quickly apparent that the Holo Holo Boatbuilding Team is most definitely up for the challenge at hand.
Today, we sit down with Jason Martin, Senior Project Manager for Holo Holo’s Boatbuilding Team, to get up to date on the boatbuilding progress.
Q. How is the boatbuilding process going?
A. We are excited to announce that Boat #1 has been named HOLO NUI. Holo means “ride, sail, run, go,” and Nui means “big, grand, great, important.” This name is significant for who we are and what we’re doing and aligns with our values and cultural responsibility. Boat #2 has been named HOLOMUA, which means “to move forward, progress, improve(ment).”
The boatbuilding process is progressing smoothly and on schedule. Our Team has been working meticulously to ensure every detail is done to the highest standard. While we’ve encountered a few minor challenges along the way, we’ve quickly implemented solutions and are currently ahead of our expected timeline. Looking ahead, we’re excited to begin the assembly of key components, with several important milestones coming up as we continue working toward our June 2026 completion goal.
Q. What are some highlights that have occurred since the first Boatbuilding Blog?
A. Since the release of our first blog post, we’ve made significant progress on the build. In October 2024, we completed our first major component – the wet deck bow section – for HOLO NUI, followed by the same piece for HOLOMUA. Afterward, we moved on to construction of the inboard hulls for HOLO NUI, which were successfully completed in January 2025. Currently, we are focused on laying up the two outboard hulls for HOLO NUI, with a projected completion date set for February 2025.
At the same time, we’ve started specifying and procuring key components, including engines, gears, props, rudders, shafts, doors, glass, the Captain’s chair, fuel tanks, water tanks, and the engine ventilation system. Additionally, we’ve begun evaluating the electrical subsystems, covering everything from VHF radios and lighting to the sound system. We’re even in the early stages of selecting colors for the hull and superstructure, ensuring that every detail is carefully considered as we move forward.
We are proud to be partnered with Carbon Ocean Yachts (COY) in Bristol, Rhode Island, whose expertise in carbon infusion and boat building has been instrumental to our continued progress. We are expecting a delivery from COY of a 45-foot container in February 2025, which will include key components such as the remaining wet deck sections, bulkheads, engine beds, and more. We are excited to continue our collaboration with COY as we move forward with the construction of HOLO NUI and look ahead to HOLOMUA.
Q. What can you tell us about your Boatbuilding Team?
A. We’ve expanded our Team to meet our building goals. Our current Team consists of 7 people, and we’re excited to welcome a new apprentice this month. Additionally, we’re bringing on another experienced boatbuilder in February 2025. We’re also looking to add one more skilled individual to our Team to help us reach our goals. If you’re interested in joining this exciting project, please send your resume to hradmin@holoholocharters.com.
The Holo Holo Boat Building Team, in collaboration with our partnership with COY, has formed an awesome team with a broad range of experience and skills, and that diversity has been key to our success so far. Each team member brings a unique perspective, whether it’s years of hands-on boatbuilding expertise or fresh ideas from other fields. This mix of seasoned craftsmanship and innovative thinking drives us forward, with all team members contributing to our progress. It’s this diversity of talent, experience, and passion that makes our Team so effective.
Q. Are you still on track to complete the first vessel in June 2026 and the second vessel in June 2029?
A. We’ve set an ambitious target to complete HOLO NUI by June 2026, and we are currently on track to meet that goal. We are about two weeks ahead of schedule by applying lessons learned and the efficiencies we’ve identified throughout the build process. To ensure we stay on track, we’ve established milestones to closely monitor progress. As for HOLOMUA, we are still targeting a completion date of June 2029, with the same commitment to quality and efficiency that has guided us so far.
Stay Tuned
We at Holo Holo Charters are paving the way in the future of boatbuilding. We are voyagers at heart, on a quest to explore new marine landscapes. We can’t wait for you to join us on our new vessels and experience the excitement for yourself. Stay tuned for future updates as the project continues to gain momentum. Every day, we are one day closer to welcoming you aboard, and we can’t wait. Until then, a hui hou!