Captain Jonathan Bader grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. After high school, he started as a landscaper at Post Properties luxury apartment homes. After 3 years he was promoted within the company to utility submetering technician. In December 2008 Jonathan was laid off from Post Properties due to cutbacks in the company. He was in good standing. In May 2009 he moved from Atlanta to the Island of Maui where he took an interest in surfing and the Ocean. In July of 2009, Jonathan started working at Pacific Whale Foundation as a deckhand on Snorkel and Whale Watching Tours. He worked his way to the first mate than to boat manager and eventually took classes to become a captain. In October 2015 he passed all of the Coast Guard exams and received his 100-ton master captains license. For the next 2 years, Jonathan drove Snorkel trips, Whale Watching Tours and Dinner Cruises out of Maalaea and Lahaina Harbors for Pacific Whale Foundation. To further his knowledge of boating, Jonathan is now pursuing his passion for sailing aboard Island Star.