Name: Gary Shimozono
Age: 46
Position: Vice president, research and development, Navatek Ships Ltd.
First job: Stacking pineapple boxes
Favorite pastimes: Woodcarving, golf

Scanning the horizon for Navatek

Gary Shimozono heads up research and development efforts in his new post at Navatek Ships Ltd., a subsidiary of Pacific Marine.

Pacific Marine has already developed two fast cruise boats, and advancements in this technology are either under construction or being tested. Its Navatek I, for 430 passengers, is based on Oahu and Navatek II, for 149 passengers, cruises from Maui.

"The Midfoil (the latest prototype) is under construction now," Shimozono said. "We're also developing an advanced ride-control system."

He joined Pacific Marine in 1995 to support the company's ship-design efforts. Shimozono also worked 20 years as a mechanical engineer with Hughes Aircraft Co. and Rockwell International Corp. in California.

Shimozono earned a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Hawaii.

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By Jerry Tune, Star-Bulletin