Meet The Team
Hawaii Turtle Tours is a locally owned boutique tour company offering small-group, family-style adventures around Oʻahu. Our top-rated Circle Island Tour includes snorkeling with Hawaiian green sea turtles and visiting the island’s most scenic spots — guided by locals who share the true spirit of Aloha.
Benjy Gilholm
—Surfer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Hawaii Turtle Tours, driven by Aloha and a passion for sharing Oʻahu’s beauty.
Benjy Gilholm, co-founder and CEO of Hawaii Turtle Tours, moved to Oʻahu’s North Shore in 1990 from Encinitas, California to pursue his dream of surfing Pipeline after first visiting at age 14 with Team Quicksilver. His career in Hawaiʻi has included roles with top surf brands, five years as a State lifeguard, time at Turtle Bay Resort, and over a decade as a successful realtor. In 2011, he founded Hawaii Turtle Tours to share the island’s beauty through small-group, Aloha-driven adventures. Benjy also gives back through free tours for Make-A-Wish kids, donations to Hawaiʻi’s homeless, and by creating local jobs.
Ernest Egan
—Co-founder of Hawaii Turtle Tours, with deep roots in surfing, hospitality, and the spirit of Aloha.
Ernest Egan, COO and co-founder of Hawaii Turtle Tours, was born in San Francisco and raised in Pacifica, CA. Mentored by the Lee family from Oʻahu, he became a top-ranked judo competitor and an avid surfer by age 11. At 14, he visited Waikiki for a national judo competition, fell in love with Hawaiʻi, and moved to Kauaʻi at 18 to chase waves and start a new life. Working nights at the Princeville Hotel gave him a strong foundation in hospitality and a deep connection to Hawaiian culture and community.
Raul Marin
—World traveler turned North Shore local. Made Hawaiʻi his home and knows the island like a true kamaʻāina.
Born in Chile and raised in Ecuador, Raul Marin discovered his love for tourism early, earning a degree in Tourism Management. His career has taken him across continents — from airlines in Chile to hotels in New Zealand, and eventually to tour operations in Hawaii. Fluent in Spanish, English, and Portuguese, Raul has called Hawaii home since 2011. He shares life with his partner and their dog Luna, enjoying surfing and the ocean lifestyle that keeps him connected to nature and culture.