Just like many keiki, Austin Kino grew up with a strong love for the ocean. As a high school junior, he embarked on his inaugural voyage on the Hōkūleʻa, sailing from Kauaʻi to Niʻihau. More than 15 years later, Austin serves as the beloved canoe’s apprentice navigator.

When not onboard the Hōkūleʻa, the ʻĀina Haina native can be found working on his own sailing business, Holokino Hawaiʻi. He has shared his ocean adventures as part of Olukai’s Anywhere Aloha campaign, in National Geographic’s Beyond the Edge blog, and has appeared on the covers of Hawaii Business Magazine and Summit Magazine.

However, Austin didn’t grow up with a clear career path. Rather than concentrating on a single job, he focused on the values that were important to him; and for Austin, nothing was more important than caring for the ocean and perpetuating the Hawaiian culture.

Q + A with Austin Kino

+ What were you like as a teenager?

I had a love for anything to do with the water - pool sports or beach activities, but I think I was a follower. I was into whatever my friends were into. I wasn't really independent. That's honest and it might be a benefit for kids to know. Now that I think back, I recognize it. Whatever my peers and leaders in my grade were into, I was like "Oh yeah, that's cool.

+ How do you handle self-doubt?

Self-doubt is healthy, as long as it's followed up by realizing how you're going to meet it. When I’m met with a challenge, I reflect on another experience where it started off difficult. I trust in myself, and build on previous experiences of sticking it out, and giving it a fair chance. Whatever decisions I make, the “why” is most important. It always comes back to “does it resonate through my culture?” If you can clue in on what makes you, YOU, then it's okay to try a bunch of things and fail, because you're being true to yourself.

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