Matt McMullin, Keauhou Fire Station firefighter and owner of Pacific Exterior Maintenance, a commercial and residential exterior cleaning business in West Hawai’i, spends his off time in his kayak chasing adventure and his next meal in the powerful, vast ocean.
Originally from Victoria, Canada, Matt moved to O’ahu with his family as a 10-year-old before relocating to the Big Island when he was 26 to join the County of Hawai’i Fire Department. He became a firefighter because of his desire to serve the community.
“Living here for so many years, and working as a firefighter, I’ve built a lot of strong relationships within the community,” McMullin says. “Being part of the fire department, I work with people from all backgrounds, and it really teaches you how important community and respect are. I try to carry that same attitude into everything I do.”
Firefighting is a dangerous career, but it prepared Matt for his current feat—deep-sea kayak fishing.
The Chinese proverb, Give a man a fish, feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime, resonates with Matt. He heard it as a boy while fishing for salmon in Canada with his parents. Although he grew up with a natural passion for fishing, Matt only recently discovered his new love of fishing from a kayak.
“About three years ago, my friend Brent, who’s also a firefighter, sold his fishing boat and started kayak fishing,” Matt explains. “After seeing how much he enjoyed it, I decided to get a kayak too. From the start, my plan with kayaking was to fish offshore. A kayak made a lot of sense—it’s more attainable and affordable than owning a boat, and it gives you a much closer connection to the water and nature. Once I started, I realized I enjoyed the challenge and the experience just as much as the fishing itself.”
Matt characterizes deep-sea fishing as simple, but not easy. He launches before sunrise, when the water is calm, and paddles out one to two miles offshore. It can seem daunting because it’s just him and the ocean, without a motor or a crew, but Matt’s favorite part of the day is when the gentle sun begins to warm the air and the day’s outcome is still unknown. He starts by catching ʻōpelu, a smaller fish he uses for live bait to catch the bigger pelagic fish, like ʻono, mahi-mahi, and ʻahi.
“Some days I paddle around looking for signs of activity; other times I stay in one spot and wait,” Matt describes. “When something hits, the fight can be quick, or it can drag out for over an hour. In a kayak, you’re not in control—the fish is. It’ll tow you wherever it wants until you wear it down. Once I work it up to the side, I land it quickly with a spear gaff and pack it into a fish bag strapped behind the seat.”
There are many dangers Matt faces when he’s bobbing in the waves, waiting for a fish to hook on. Dark clouds can turn the calm weather treacherous, menacing predators like sharks can attack, or the equipment can fail, leaving him on his own against the elements. Matt prepares for anything. Bringing safety gear, like a VHF radio, a bilge pump, and a life jacket, is a must.
“I got caught in a sudden squall once,” Matt recalls. “The waves picked up fast, and the conditions changed quicker than I expected. It was a serious situation, and I barely made it back to shore. It was a real wake-up call about how quickly things can turn out there. Ever since then, I’ve been even more careful about preparation, checking conditions and knowing when to call it. It also gave me a lot of respect for what both the kayak and the ocean are capable of.”
It’s the thrill of the chase that keeps Matt paddling out for more. Catching his first ʻahi, which towed him for 30 minutes, is a rush he will never forget. Another impressive memory is catching a 69-pound ʻahiand a 44-pound ʻono, both on the same day.
“Right after I landed the ʻahi, I threw out another bait and hooked the ʻonowithin five minutes,” Matt recounts. “It was an awesome day, but I was wiped out by the end. Two big fights back-to-back in a kayak take a lot out of you.”
Both Matt and his girlfriend love to cook his fresh catch of the day, with Matt’s cat, Niko, sometimes sneaking a bite. Matt’s girlfriend likes mahi-mahi because it’s easy to work with. She makes fish tacos, mahi-mahi with mango salsa, or pan-seared mahi-mahi with lemon butter. Matt likes to use ʻahibecause he enjoys fresh poke. Even the firefighters enjoy cooking some fish together at the station.
Deep-sea fishing from a kayak in the Pacific Ocean surrounding the Big Island embodies a unique blend of adventure, skill and an admiration of Hawaiian heritage.
“Growing up in Hawai‘i taught me early on how important it is to respect the land and the ocean,” Matt shares. “Living here gave me a real appreciation for the Hawaiian way of caring for the sea—taking only what you need and leaving enough for the future.”
Learn more at PacificExteriorMaintenance.com.
Growing up in Hawai‘i taught me early on how important it is to respect the land and the ocean. Living here gave me a real appreciation for the Hawaiian way of caring for the sea—taking only what you need and leaving enough for the future.