Meet our "Wild at Heart" Crew

“I really don’t know why it is that all of us are so committed to the sea, think it’s because we all came from the sea… it is an interesting biological fact that all of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean. And therefore we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean, and when we go back to the sea – whether it is to sail or to watch it – we are going back from whence we came.”
John F. Kennedy, 1962 “The Sea”

Wild Side Specialty Tours is a small "Mom and Pop" owner-operated company. Armin and Tori Cullins collectively sailed the Hawaiian Islands, the South Pacific and the West Coast of North America. Seeking a way to share their passion for sailing, ocean wildlife, and the natural beauty and culture of the islands to Oahu visitors, their business venture began back in 1996 (original boat to left).

Directly involved with the studies of behavior, ecology, and natural history of the whales,dolphins, turtles, coral reefs and other marine life in Hawai'i, they continue to actively participate in conservation and resource management of marine habitats.

Our crew is trained in marine wildlife survey work, have very high social skills, years of outdoor experience with marine wildlife, and are also actively involved in environmental regulation and education campaigns to help ensure the long-term protection of Hawaii's marine environment and wildlife populations. A group of highly skilled professionals, capable of delivering safe, responsible and memorable tourism experiences. Elizabeth, Wookie's Mom

Elizabeth Hartford: The "voice" of Wild Side, and often the voice of reason behind the operations. Elizabeth holds the fort down at the office amid the "mad scientists" and manages to do so while always maintaining a professional and courteous manner to all, must've been all those years in the mental health field where she built and ran R.O.P.E.S. (challenge) courses!, Or maybe she just loves her job.Sometimes we let her out to come onboard, usually we can't do without her.

Aloha! Armin Cullins- Boats, fishing, and the ocean occupy most of his time. He spent two years on an incredible journey sailing the South Pacific. Armin enjoys sharing experiences with people from around the world when piloting the boat, and makes sure the vessel is kept in tip top shape, while providing logistics and guidance to crewmembers and captains.

Tori -A USCG captain and marine biologist grad from the University of Hawaii, she also holds a degree in Environmental Sciences, has a prior background in veterinary medicine, has worked with marine mammal stranding teams, as Education and Outreach Specialist for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and has studied behaviors and documented abundance and distrbution of whales and dolphins on the Wai'anae coastline since the early 90's.

She is currently an advisor for the Hawaii Ecotourism Association, Waianae Makai Watch, is working with Maui and Big Island Marine Voluntary Standards working groups, and is a steering committee member of the State Recreational Impact to Reefs Local Action Strategy.
Capt. Kara Benson: Marine biologist, Veterinary Sciences MSc, specializes in marine mammals, her thesis: "Molecular Identification and Genetic Characterization of Cetacean Herpesviruses and Porpoise Morbillivirus," Kara has field experience with manatees, sea turtles, reef ecology in Australia and environmental education of the public; assisted with training sessions of dolphins and seals here at Sea Life Park - confirming her desire to keep 'em wild, has marine mammal stranding response training, and is advance SCUBA certified.

Melissa Evans-Shontofski: "Heart-core" animal lover, Melissa holds an undergraduate Biology degree from UP Pittsburgh, and has almost completed her master’s degree in Environmental Management. In her vast travels as a military wife she has held a wide array of environmental jobs including Naturalist for DNR, AmeriCorps member - focused on eradication of invasive species, a veterinary technician, and as a wildlife rehabilitation specialist.

Denise Boatwright, competitive swimmer (five gold medals!), former EMT,you canfind her onboard (or in the water!) whenever school is not in session. Denise is the Math and Science Resource teacher for our school district, and is consistently referred to as The One Other Crew Members Should Learn From due to her dedicated maritime skills. She likes the torpedo so much her Dad got her one for Christmas.Click on picture to see torpedo in action.. .

Teagan spent two years studying Marine Science, and Polynesian navigation under Susan Lum and Master Navigator Nainoa Thompson of the Polynesian Voyaging Society. She has volunteered with NOAA’s National Marine Humpback Whale Sanctuary, and with the University of Hawaii’s Green Sea Turtle rescue program. She's been employed as a lifeguard, with in depth water safety training. A true water bearer (Aquarius) at heart, if she’s not in the ocean (she's also PADI advanced open water scuba certified), she’s on it, canoeing, kayaking or surfing. Native to the Waianae's "lost" coast, Teagan has had firsthand experience and exposure from mauka (mountain) - to makai (ocean) with native inhabitants, culture and natural history. Teagan heads our marketing and internship program.

Brianne - "New Blood" comes onto the scene to carry on with her parents mission of marine research, advocacy and education. Finishing up her high school years with home schooling; the boat became an ocean classroom to study the ocean and its inhabitants, and to share this information while equally learning life lessons and geography from our onboard guests.

Qualifications of crew members may include SCUBA, CPR, First Aid, Emergency Responder, Water Rescue Certification.
Volunteer Research Team from the Wild Dolphin Foundation:
Evan Connolly, a biology student at the University of Hawaii, has her sights on the conservation field. She has always had a strong interest in marine mammals and worked with bottlenose dolphins on the Big Island. She loves sharing her passion for the ocean, and her knowledge of both reef and open ocean inhabitants. Evan has been a competitive swimmer her whole life and loves being in the water as much as she can. She is certified in SCUBA and snorkels weekly.

Danielle, a high school honors student (her debate team recently won the State Finals!), is passionate about the ocean, specifically whales and dolphins (and her dog, in the picture to the left). She is only 16, but out on the water every chance she can get. Staying focused on her goals in life keeps her well disciplined. Other crew members from Wild Side Specialty Tours and active volunteers in the Wild Dolphin Foundation are her biggest role models and helpful mentors as she follows her dreams to becoming a marine biologist.

Trish Bienz is an airline pilot for Mokulele Airlines and flies the interisland routes in Hawaii. When she is not hopping between the islands by air, she enjoys volunteering on board our vessels. She assists the crew and our guests with onboard duties and loves to share her love of the ocean and marine animals with others. She is a certified diver, and snorkels on a regular basis.

We're waiting on pics/bios for the rest of the team! Once again Danielle is showing everyone else up...
"If you live the life you love, you get the blessings from above" Van Morrison
Wild Side Specialty Tours, LLC on the island of Oahu:
TEL (808) 306-7273
email: reservations@sailhawaii.com