Fast Times Off Waikiki
The Aptly Named Honolulu Screamer Gives Passengers A Thrilling Dose Of High Speed On The High Seas. Greg Longnecker has the need for speed and a love of the ocean.
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Greg Longnecker has the need for speed and a love of the ocean. For years, satisfying such popular Island yearnings came from surfing North Shore breaks or providing bird’s-eye views of Oahu at 1,000 feet from behind one of the several parasail boats he operates out of Kewalo Basin. But, for the Coast Guard veteran raised on the bayou in Mississippi, another challenge remained to be conquered - finding another way to have fast fun on the water while strengthening his water sports business.
In October 2006, he got his wish with the christening of the 53-foot-long, 35,000-pound speed-hungry thrill machine appropriately named the Honolulu Screamer. And from every review and from firsthand experience, it’s an appropriate title.
“I had a dream to build something that would not be parasailing,” says Longnecker, who has been taking people on flights for almost half his life. “I had this idea to build a speedboat that would carry a lot of people. I talked to my wife about it, we prayed about it a little bit.”
And it became a reality. After 18 months of construction and about $1 million in total costs - including $35,000 for the paint job alone - Longnecker got what he wanted. The one-ofa-kind ocean-going roller coaster is powered by twin 1,420 horsepower Caterpillar diesel engines that spit out 1,000 gallons of water per second through its water-jet propulsion system, taking the boat upwards of 40 knots while making the transit from Kewalo Basin to Diamond Head in a time span that Mufi and TheBoat could only dream of.
The engines are what separate the Screamer from most fast-moving tour boats and are the key to the ride’s popularity. Unlike traditional propeller-driven water-craft that use rudders to steer the vessel, the Screamer’s jets are able to immediately redirect the water from the engines over a 90 degree arc to quickly change the boat’s direction. Add to this the vessel’s flat bottom and the boat is able to pull fishtails and donuts fast and smooth enough to get the nod of approval of any icy-road driving auto daredevil.
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Everything on the Screamer suggests speed. Every edge comes to a sharp point, and the shark’s mouth bow paint is reminiscent of WWII fighter planes. Even the striped point of the helm pod - the overhanging cover in front of the driver - adds an element of modern aggression.
The trip itself is rather simple. Loaded with passengers and after a lengthy list of don’ts, the boat slowly leaves its berth to the sounds of classic rock. Once clear of the channel markers, it is all pedal to the metal as the water flies by and slow-moving fishing boats quickly shrink from view. Now safely away from traffic and following the instructed warning whistle, which means hang on - even to those buckled in - Longnecker snaps the boat into a 200-degree, high-G spin that soaks half the passengers and leaves the others holding their breath. After a few more controlled slides, it’s off to Diamond Head for picture taking and to swap seats so no passenger returns dry or without having felt the force of the turns pressing against their chest.
While spending just such an afternoon off the South Shore of Oahu had been the goal for some time, if it had not been for a job applicant from New Jersey, the dream may never had gotten past the “what if” stage. Longnecker had a plan, a little capital but no one able to build such a vessel. Then he got an e-mail.
A young man from New Jersey was looking to come to Hawaii and drive parasail boats. Qualified for the job, Longnecker hired Joe Richardson, and the two hit it off to the point where Greg and his wife, Maime, invited the young man to stay with them for a time. One day while discussing the idea of the Screamer with his new employee, Richardson had an answer to the construction problem. His neighbor in New Jersey was a boat builder who specialized in creating fast-moving watercraft for business and personal use.
Chance encounters seem to be a common theme in Longnecker’s life. One resulted in the construction of his dream vessel. Another resulted in much more.
Like many young men attracted to a surf and sun lifestyle dominated by drink and drugs, Longnecker spent his off hours in pursuit of things much less constructive than building a business. Eventually, the lifestyle began to take its toll even though everything looked great on the surface as he split his time between para-sailing businesses in Mississippi and Hawaii.
“I partied a lot of my first 29 years, heavily, and I was just miserable thinking, ‘There’s got to be more to life than this,’ ” says the father of 10-year-old Lauren, 3-year-old Luke and 10-month-
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