A pirate’s life for me

Ahoy Mateys! Do you have a little buccaneer who would love to take control of a pirate ship?

Climb aboard the Treasure Seeker, Hawaii Pirate Ship Adventures’ 83-foot black galleon docked at Kewalo Basin Harbor.

The 90-minute experience is hosted by a crew of smart-talking, swash-buckling pirates with names like Bad Rum Bob, Hammerhead Alan and Capt. Smiling Jack Straw.

Once aboard, you’ll sail past the surfers at Kewalo in search of treasure off the shore of Waikiki (and you just might find some), all the while defending yourself against passing boats with cannons that shoot sprays of water.

"We wanted to do something for the kids, something slow and fun," said owner Greg Longnecker, who also runs the Honolulu Screamer and X-Treme Parasail.

Longnecker was inspired to start the expeditions after a friend s in New Jersey built a similar ship. As luck would have it, a pirate ship became available in San Diego and the rest is history.

The ship, which holds up to 49 passengers and has been running excursions since June, looks pretty authentic, with a poop deck, main deck, forecastle and head. A small, below-deck saloon offers soda, snacks and pirate gear for purchase.

Some seating is available, but most passengers stand during the adventure. Sunscreen and hats are advised, since there’s little cover on the ship while out on the ocean.

Pose for a photo in the guillotine, try your hand at shooting the cannons and enjoy views of the Waikiki coastline and Diamond Head as you sail along slowly.

Watch out for the misfit pirates, who are always up to something, whether it’s playfully tying up passengers or auctioning off visitors’ loot.

They stay in character from start to finish and interact with everyone on board, cracking jokes along the way.

If your keiki is always in the mood to raise his or her hand and say "Arrrrgh!" there are plenty of opportunities. There might even be a competition to see who can do it best.

Longnecker said he held an audition and hired four pirates, including individuals from the University of Hawaii at Manoa drama department and Diamond Head Theatre.

Kids on board get to peer through a spyglass telescope, wear a pirate hat and help haul in a treasure box from the ocean.

All children receive a bandana, an eye patch, a tattoo (hand-stamp) and a share of the booty from the treasure (gold doubloons). Pictures taken by a ship photographer are $10.