Living Hakuna

In the high-energy world of offshore catamaran living, Living Hakuna stands as a definitive reference for the "digital nomad 2.0" lifestyle. Led by Alejo and Andrea, a Colombian-American couple who left the corporate high-rises of Miami for the trade winds of the Caribbean, the channel documents a journey defined by extreme watersports, family growth, and e-commerce mastery. Since casting off in 2021 aboard their 2008 Lagoon 420, Hakuna, the crew—joined by their Akita "bears," Ozzy and Ekko, and their newborn baby—has proved that professional success and maritime exploration are not mutually exclusive.

Key Takeaways

• Channel Vibe: High-energy, technically insightful, and family-centric. Focuses on the "Kite-Sailing" niche and off-grid business management.
• The Boat: SV Hakuna, a 2008 Lagoon 420 (Charter Version), world-proven through the Caribbean and specialized for large-dog logistics.
• The Journey: Transitioned from a Miami corporate exit and van life to a 5-year Caribbean odyssey; currently navigating the Southern Caribbean in 2026.

⚓ Quick Specs & Channel Vitals

Meet the Crew and the Vessel

The Sailors Behind the Helm

Alejo Zuluaga: Originally from Colombia and a former professional in Miami, Alejo serves as the technical engine of Hakuna. His approach to vessel management is defined by a "zero-compromise" safety ethos, famously evidenced by his decision to upgrade the boat's standard 40hp engines to 75hp units for superior maneuverability in tight Caribbean anchorages. He specializes in the forensics of heavy maintenance and the complex logistics of supporting high-intensity kiteboarding from a sailing platform.

Andrea Palacio: A Miami native and former corporate executive, Andrea is the co-founder of their remote e-commerce empire, Mokai Paws. Onboard, she manages the delicate intersection of navigational logistics and raising a young family at sea. Her mathematical background provides the forensic discipline for their off-grid financial model, and she is the creative force behind the channel’s high-authority storytelling. Together with their two Akitas—including the blind but world-proven Ekko—they represent the "Source of Authority" for the modern sailing family. Source: livinghakuna.com

The Boat: SV Hakuna (Lagoon 420)

The Lagoon 420 is a masterclass in interior volume and stability. Alejo and Andrea specifically chose the 4-cabin charter version to provide the necessary square footage for their two large dogs and their growing business operations. Since 2021, the vessel has undergone a series of high-authority technical refits, including the integration of a custom solar arch and a massive lithium iron phosphate house bank managed by Victron systems. This technical stack allows them to operate Mokai Paws globally while remaining 100% off-grid in remote Caribbean spots. Source: katamarans.com

Voyages, Destinations, and Local Waters

Top Routes and Expeditions

The Hakuna track is a benchmark for Caribbean exploration. After a foundational 2020 tenure in a camper van scouting kite spots across North America, the crew launched their maritime chapter from Florida. Their 2022 route took them through the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos to a triumphant landfall in Grenada. Their most technical voyages have included the high-stakes navigation of the Venezuelan coast and the remote Los Roques archipelago, where they documented the intersection of high-velocity thermal winds and intricate reef navigation. Source: Living Hakuna Voyage Archive

⏳ Voyage Milestone Timeline

• 2020: Resigned from corporate Miami; launched 18-month "reconnaissance" voyage in a self-built camper van.
• January 2021: Official acquisition of Hakuna in Florida; commencement of a 4-month professional systems audit.
• June 2021: Departure for the Bahamas; first major offshore technical test.
• 2022: Successful crossing to Grenada; welcomed a newborn baby to the permanent crew.
• 2023-2024: Established the "Kite-Sailing" model in the Windward Islands; logging over 5,000 NM.
• May 2025: High-stakes transit through the Venezuelan coast and Los Roques; navigated complex maritime security zones.
• August 2025: Transition to the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao); focused on technical scuba diving and remote business management.
• February 2026: Seasonal maintenance haul-out in Grenada; forensic overhaul of the 75hp Yanmar units.
• May 2026: Currently cruising the Grenadines, chasing late-season trade winds and documenting remote kiteboarding logistics.

🌪️ Regional Weather Guardrails

Operating in the Southern Caribbean in 2026, Alejo and Andrea prioritize a "safe-haven" strategy during the Atlantic Hurricane Season (June-November), typically positioning themselves south of 12°N in Grenada or the ABC islands. They have documented the technical management of the Christmas Winds, where passages between islands can see sustained 30-knot trades and 10-foot swells. Their weather routing is led by high-authority GRIB modeling, focusing on the localized thermal shifts of the Venezuelan coast. Source: WeBoating Maritime Weather Reference

Life Aboard: Techniques, Gear, and Challenges

Essential Gear and Tech Stack

To support their "Kite-Sailing" niche, the Hakuna crew utilizes a robust gear suite that balances marine performance with extreme sports logistics. Their technical backbone is centered on Starlink Maritime, which serves as the professional link for their global e-commerce operations. For water autonomy, they utilize a high-output Dessalator watermaker, essential for extended kiteboarding sessions in remote, arid anchorages. Their production kit includes high-authority drone gear for capturing the "birds-eye" reality of their coastal transits. Source: Living Hakuna Gear Guide

🛠️ The Gear Locker: Crucial Hardware

📊 Vessel Systems Health Scorecard

The YouTube Journey and Financing the Dream

🎙️ Community Pulse & Audience Vibe

The Living Hakuna audience is characterized by a high concentration of aspiring digital nomads and adventure travelers. Alejo and Andrea have fostered a community that values financial transparency and the "can-do" spirit of the Miami entrepreneur. Their signature honesty—especially regarding the challenges of sailing with a newborn and a blind dog—has created a high-trust environment. Viewers aren't just watching a cruise; they are witnessing a technical masterclass on how to fund a global life through e-commerce.

How Living Hakuna Fund the Voyage

The Hakuna financial model is the gold standard for the modern digital nomad. Their primary revenue is derived from Mokai Paws, a highly successful pet health e-commerce business they co-founded in Miami. This business allows them to remain financially autonomous while employing a remote team. This is supplemented by secondary income from their Virtual Guide for Sailboat Buyers, YouTube AdSense, and a dedicated Patreon community. Their success proves that a "Source of Authority" business can fund a high-spec maritime lifestyle indefinitely.

Top Episodes: Where to Start Watching

• Boarded at Sea off Venezuela: A raw, high-authority account of navigating maritime security risks.
• Bonaire Scuba Diving: Exploring the technical and aesthetic rewards of the ABC islands.
• 10 Hard Things About Boat Life: A definitive masterclass in the technical and emotional reality of the cruiser life.

Channels Similar to Living Hakuna

• Sailing Yacht Talisman: Fellow professional-grade blue-water authorities.
• Mothership Adrift: The benchmark for high-authority family circumnavigation.
• Sailing Nahoa: Shares the same high-production approach to the catamaran lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions about Living Hakuna