Our Ohana

Tami Nixon

Owner

Where did you go to school?

UCSB Montessori Teacher's Credential

Favorite Food?

Avocado and Peanut Butter, but not at the same time

Favorite Sport?

Swimming of course

Favorite Movie?

Jeremiah Johnson with Robert Redford or Romeo and Juliet

How long have you been working at Makai?

I opened Makai Swim School in 1989 at Exertec Fitness Center and Mt George Estates. Since then me and my staff have had the opportunity to now instruct hundred of students.

What do you like to do outside of working at Makai?

I love Pilates and stand up paddle boarding in the Hawaiian ocean! But mostly I like spending time with my family and my dogs. I have two Australian Shepards, Oshie who is 7 months and Marleau who is 4 years old. 

If you could be anything in the world, what would you be?

I miss my children when they were young. I would love to go back for a day and really treasure their sweet little faces, hugs and kisses. When raising your own children you think it will take forever for them to grow up, but the saying is true, “They grow up so fast!”. 

A fun fact about yourself

My family has been in Hawaii since 1901! This is the reason for the name of the swim school, Makai, which means in Hawaiian, towards the ocean.

Andie Summers

Business Manager

Where did you go to school?

University of Boulder

Favorite Food?

Sushi

Favorite Sport?

Shopping

Favorite Movie?

Breakfast Club

How long have you been working at Makai?

January 2023

What do you like to do outside of working at Makai?

Shop, eat great food, hang out with good friends.

If you could be anything in the world, what would you be?

Famous Singer...the next Taylor Swift!

A fun fact about yourself.

I have known Tami, the owner, for 18 years and I feel like family.


Maggie Martin

Swim Instructor

Where did you go to school?

Slidell High School in Slidell Louisiana

Favorite Food?

Ice cream and cookies

Favorite Sport?

Baseball

Favorite Movie?

Steele Magnolia

How long have you been working at Makai?

7 years

What do you like to do outside of working at Makai?

The beach, adventuring the country, and fun stuff

If you could be anything in the world, what would you be?

A swim instructor at Makai...it is the best job ever!

A fun fact about yourself.

I live for what I do. It brings me great joy and I learn so much from these wonderful beings I get to swim with. 

Abbi Dion

Swim Instructor

Where did you go to school?

Napa Valley College

Favorite Food?


Favorite Sport?


Favorite Movie?


How long have you been working at Makai?

3 years

What do you like to do outside of working at Makai?


If you could be anything in the world, what would you be?


A fun fact about yourself.


Ilenia Willmert

Swim Instructor

Where did you go to school?

I currently go to Vintage High School

Favorite Food?

Definitely Pizza!

Favorite Sport?

Dance

Favorite Movie?

The Breakfast Club

How long have you been working at Makai?

Since Fall, 2018

What do you like to do outside of working at Makai?

Editorial Photography

If you could be anything in the world, what would you be?

I do not know. I will see where life takes me. 

A fun fact about yourself

I will choose dark over milk chocolate any day. 

Austin Knight

Swim Instructor/Swim Attendant

Where do you go to school?

Napa High School

Favorite Food?

Pepperoni Pizza

Favorite Sport?

Basketball, Swimming, and Karate

Favorite Movie?

2001 A Space Odyssey

How long have you been working at Makai?

March 2021

What do you like to do outside of working at Makai?

Play music, do karate, and go snowboarding

If you could be anything in the world, what would you be?

A filmmaker 

A fun fact about yourself

I play the violin, the clarinet, and the saxophone. I am also a high film buff.