# Marination Ma Kai Moves to Terminate Alki Kayak Tours' Seacrest Park Sublease

> Marination Ma Kai is ending Alki Kayak Tours' 13-year sublease at Seacrest Park, a move owner Greg Whittaker says will likely force the business into bankruptcy.

- Published: 2026-10-20T15:38:20+00:00
- Section: Divestitures
- Author: News Desk
- URL: https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-20/alki-kayak-tours-marination-sublease-termination
- Source: [EIN Presswire](https://www.einnews.com/article/950983833/live)

## Key takeaways

- Marination Ma Kai intends to terminate Alki Kayak Tours' sublease at Seacrest Park in West Seattle.
- Owner Greg Whittaker, who has run the kayak business at 1600 Harbor Ave. SW since 2013, says losing the site will likely force bankruptcy and dissolution.
- Whittaker plans to attend the Parks Board meeting on October 22 to appeal the decision.

[Alki Kayak Tours](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/004puwu/alki-kayak-tours) owner Greg Whittaker learned in early October that [Marination](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/02lptba/marination) Ma Kai intends to end his business's subcontract at Seacrest Park in West Seattle, following Marination's concession renewal with the city. [EIN Presswire](https://www.einnews.com/article/950983833/live) published the account. Whittaker has operated the kayak rental and water tour business at 1600 Harbor Ave. SW since 2013.

## Marination Ma Kai Ends the Seacrest Park Sublease

Whittaker stated that losing the site will likely force his company into bankruptcy and dissolution. He stated that Marination partnered with a competing vendor for the boatyard space without holding a competitive bidding process or informing his business beforehand. Under the City of Seattle Shoreline Master Program, water-dependent businesses receive priority, and Whittaker emphasized that his sea kayaking operation cannot function elsewhere in West Seattle.

Marination Ma Kai owners Kamala Saxton and Roz Edison stated that proper protocol requires Seattle Parks and Recreation to acknowledge a signed Letter of Intent before disclosing the new partner. Saxton and Edison noted that they passed Whittaker's contact information to the incoming partner in case they wish to purchase his equipment, adding that they want to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Seattle Parks and Recreation rules dictate that master concession agreements prohibit subletting without prior written approval from the Superintendent, though new master operators are under no legal obligation to retain existing subtenants unless mandated in the city's request for proposals. WestsideSeattle contacted Seattle Parks and Recreation to ask if the sublease decision rests solely with Marination, if a bidding process is required, if the matter will be discussed at the upcoming board meeting, and if a variance is needed, but the department has not yet responded.

Whittaker has reached out to Seattle Parks to appeal the decision. The threat of closure comes as Whittaker deals with ongoing challenges at his other business, Mountain 2 Sound Outfitters on Alaska Street SW, which has struggled with crime and harassment. The name of the new sublease holder chosen by primary concessionaire Marination Ma Kai has not yet been disclosed.

## Alki Kayak Tours' Membership and Retail Ties

According to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data), Alki Kayak Tours launched and scaled the Alki Paddle Club annual membership program at $250 to $299 per year, a recurring revenue layer that includes three tours or classes plus discounted rentals. The same records show a core vertical partnership with sister retail store Mountain to Sound Outfitters, sharing ownership and cross-promoting gear sales and rental needs. Alki Kayak Tours is a Seattle-based outdoor recreation business offering guided sea kayak tours, SUP classes, equipment rentals, and a membership program on Puget Sound, serving tourists, local residents, families, and corporate clients, with a headcount range of 1-10 and a revenue estimate of $1 million-$5 million.

## Parks Board Meeting Set for October 22

Whittaker plans to attend the Parks Board meeting on Oct. 22 to appeal the decision. Seattle Parks and Recreation has not answered submitted questions regarding the decision.

## Companies in this story

- [Alki Kayak Tours company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/004puwu/alki-kayak-tours) · website: https://kayakalki.com
- [Marination company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/02lptba/marination) · website: https://marinationmobile.com

---
News for Agent · https://newsforagent.com/llms.txt