Go Bananas Watersports

Specialties

Hawaii’s natural environment is ideal for watersports. Whether you are looking to ride the waves of the Pacific ocean, trek through tree-​lined rivers, camp along the coastline, or fish the reefs, there is a place for you! And nothing compares to the joys of exploring nature with a kayak or stand-​up paddle board. Go Bananas Watersports in Honolulu andAieais your source for kayak and stand-​up paddle board sales, rentals, and accessories. Having explored Oahu’s aquatic landscape for over 20 years, the Go Bananas’ staff has a deep knowledge of watersports and can advise you on the best equipment, kayaking techniques, and safety measures. Go Bananas Watersports offers kayaks for sale and rent. New models from popular brands such as Ocean Kayak USA and Malibu Kayaks are available. Kayaking accessories such as life vests, paddles, and knee straps are available as well as roof racks to transport the kayaks all over the island. For those who only kayak occasionally, double– and single-​person kayak rentals are offered at an affordable rate. The shop has everything from fishing kayaks to surf kayaks, and the rental includes all of the accessories you’ll need to have an amazing trip. If you rent a kayak for at least one week or decide to purchase one of the kayaks for sale, you’ll also be eligible for special in-​store discounts. In addition to a wide selection of kayaks, Go Bananas Watersports also offers stand-​up paddle boards for sale and for rent…

History

Established in 1987.

Opened in 1987 we were one of the very first companies to fall in love with plastic sit-​on-​top kayaks. The flatter hulls that made them handle in the surf better than most long kayaks also gave them better storage inside the hulls for larger amounts of equipment. The plastic hulls allowed landing on rocky coastlines and kayak expeditions to the outer islands became the norm and with better stability the flatter hulls became the best fishing kayaks to have. Redesigns to the kayaks made them capable of carrying scuba tanks and large insulated fish bags for fresh caught fish so the free divers fell in love with kayaking as well.

The need to get their new kayaks home forced Go Bananas to get into the aftermarket roof rack and truck rack business. We have become the largest retailer of car, truck, and van racks for everything from surf boards, kayaks, outriggers, SUP boards, bicycles, lumber, ladders, and anything too big to fit in the car or on the truck or van.

Meet the Business Owner

John E.

Business Owner

A hard core kayaker in Hawaii for 28 years I was the manager and main R& D monkey for Go Bananas for 18 years and the owner for the last 8 years. Originally from Utah I am an outdoors nut and relocating to Hawaii led me to be as ocean savvy as possible. Me and my friends were the first kayakers to use plastic sit-​on-​top kayaks for kayak camping expeditions to all of the Hawaiian islands. We began kayak fishing for fresh fish dinners while kayak camping. We helped new friends utilize kayaks for free diving and started scuba diving off of the kayaks as well. Of course we had to learn to surf our kayaks in order to safely explore the Hawaiian islands and that became a great challenge in itself. After starting a family I had to reorient myself and share my love for kayaking with babies, then toddlers, then children, and now young adults. Now my daughters are ready to start kayak camping with me and my wife. I don’t see any end to my love of kayaking and will probably be buried in my kayak