Hawaiian Chieftain is a 103’ steel-hulled ketch designed by naval architect Raymond Richards and built by Drake Thomas of Lahaina Welding Co. Her design was inspired by the coastal trading packet, a medium-sized boat used to transport mail, passengers, and freight in Europe and North America during the 18th and 19th centuries, with modifications to accommodate sailing in the Hawaiian Islands.

Originally intended to be used to haul passengers and freight between the islands of Maui, Moloka'i and Lana'i, the vessel was lofted on the floor of a decommissioned pineapple packing plant in Lahaina, Maui and launched from the sand into Kahoma Stream on June 12th, 1988. After her maiden voyage to Tahiti, Chieftain spent much of the next 30 years on the West Coast, offering daysails and educational programs.

She is currently located in Port Townsend, WA.