Cultural Volunteer Vacations

Conservation of environment & cultural practices in haleakala national park

We have a deep respect for the a’ina (land) and the culture and history of the Kanaka Maoli— (the Hawaiian People). We share the culture of Maui’s Hawaiian spirit with tens of thousands of people each year who come out on tour with us.

Visitors often tell us they feel like they’ve become part of our ohana (family) and as they learn the stories, legends and history of the Hawaiian people. It is our hope, our silent prayer and our kuleana (responsibility) to help all who come on our tour to understand just a bit more than they thought they would about this beautiful island and the ways of these very special people.

After all, the Hawaiian ancestors, as well as the Hawaiians of today, created and continue to create Aloha. This word is well known throughout the world but for the most part is not understood to it’s full meaning. Aloha evolved from a polynesian race who, for reasons unknown, ventured away from their western Pacific home out into the unknown ocean some 1000 years ago. These people evolved into a society that was totally self sustaining and became deeply rooted in the idea of working together for the survival of the community.

Giving your Aloha is giving your heart and your spirit in order to bring life into a more healing place. For the kanaka maoli, the mountains, the forests, the streams and the beaches all have spiritual meaning and history. This is called the Mana (spiritual strength) of a place and to give strength with Aloha is called “malama the aina”. It means to help, which is at the core of Aloha and the Hawaiian culture.

We have learned that sharing our Aloha with our visitors can inspire visitors into being what is known as “Hawaiian at Heart”. You may not be from here but you have embraced the culture and wish to help. For those who wish to help “malama the aina” we have created this web page for you.

In it you will find summaries and links to all the non profit conservation organizations with volunteer programs to recover and restore Maui’s unique ecosystem. Valley Isle Excursions will be participating in these efforts in addition to our Green Business certification, providing transportation for cultural practitioners and restoration projects and supporting local businesses that provide certified ecotourism tours and practices.

Cultural Conservation

Native Hawaiians only visited the upper slopes of this incredible volcanic landscape for short periods. No one lived there as it was and still is considered today wao akua, the place where the gods dwell. No ordinary mortals can live in this very sacred place. Specific ritual practices are required for being welcome as well as for success in tasks or travel while in the area. We continue honor and respect those practices.

The harsh conditions with no permanent water allowed for only seasonal visits, at the best times for travel. People came to collect needed materials; like colorful bird feathers and basalt stone for andze (axe-like tool). They came to hide their dead, burying them throughout the vastness of the crater.

Environmental Conservation

Since 1916 the National Park Service has been following it’s mission to preserve and protect Haleakala National Park on Maui. The park has the highest concentration of endangered species of any national park. It’s rare species, incredible scenery and historical sites make this an area worth protecting at any cost.

Help Stop the Spread of Rapid 'ōhi' a Death

Help prevent a fungus from killing the native ‘ōhiʻa trees. This disease has 100% mortality rate for these rare native species.

Before helping in the park be sure to clean and remove dirt from your equipment and spray them with 70% alcohol spray.

Group service projects in haleakala national park

Gain a different perspective, one that brings you closer to the world around you through cultural exposure and volunteering while on your vacation.

Equipment Maintenance

Special skills are always needed in the park. Tools and equipment are well used, needing more maintenance than usual.

Help Fix the Tools

Trail Maintenance

The trails take a beating from use and the weather. During storms, rockslides and debris can impact some routes.

Help Fix the Tools

Remove Invasive Species

We love Hawaii because everything grows so well. That includes plants that we don’t want growing as well. They impact our beautiful native species.

Help Fix the Tools

Cabin & Campground Maintenance

The cabins located in the crater are often booked up months in advance so they get a lot of use. Great option for quarterly volunteer vacations.

Help Fix the Tools

Conservation volunteers & organizations working across maui

Mahalo to all the efforts provided by the volunteer programs on maui.

Improvements across the island, both directly and indirectly are being created by volunteer programs projects and work like these below. It has, over time, become quite obvious to many that all actions taken towards building a better Maui are interconnected in a multitude of ways.

Oftentimes we don’t realize the incredibly positive (and wide) “ripple effect” that doing a single good deed has on the world. From the summit to the reef, we see how organizations that are focused on caring about one area actually improve life and results downhill/downstream.

The Friends Of Haleakala National Park

TheFriends of Haleakala National Park provides support educational opportunities, recreational and cultural events, research projects and service activities relating to the park’s ecosystems. Their mission within the park is to support the efforts of the National Park Service to protect and preserve unique ecosystems, scenic character and Hawaiian spiritual and cultural resources.

Their efforts include a variety of service projects that include overnight bunking in the cabins on the crater floor. These service projects require a day’s hike into and out of the service project area. Efforts include cabin cleaning, scrubbing and painting, thistle and blackberry eradication as well as Nene habitat improvement at Paliku. There is also a focus to remove Heterotheca from Haleakala’s slopes. This daisy looking sunflower from the mainland USA thrives in the rocky soil and variable weather on the slopes of the mountain.

Check out what a typical service trip looks like and create an account to learn more and take part in the next experience.

The East Maui Watershed Partnership

The East Maui Watershed is an area that covers about 123,000 acres of many individual, small watersheds. This area is in vital need of protection and has been under the care of the East Maui Watershed Partnership. This area produces almost 60 billion gallons of water each year with most of it being channelled towards agriculture, industrial and residential uses. The single surface water collection area in Hawaii.

Part of the preservation efforts includes educational visits, open only to local community and schools groups, to various wilderness areas. The guides from The Partnership teach by immersing the students in the native forests of Hawaii, like they were when the Hawaiian’s themselves first arrived.

Maui Invasive Species Committee

The Maui Invasive Species Committee is partnership of government, individuals, private groups and nonprofits that work to prevent, control and remove invasive plants and animals. The goal of the committee is to protect rare and endangered ecological resources, improve the health of the watersheds, support proper agricultural practices and build community awareness.

Help prevent the spread of the coqui frogs by usingcoqui-free nurseries. Stop the spread of the Little Fire Ant byreporting them.

Leeward Haleakala Watershed Restoration Project

This 43,175 acre partnership includes land owned by; Haleakala National Park, Haleakala Ranch, Kaupo Ranch, State of Hawaii Lands, Ulupalakua Ranch, Nu‘u Mauka Ranch and others.

The goal of this partnership is control invasive, non-native species while restoring dryland forests between 3500′ and 6500′ feet elevation along the side of Mount Haleakala.

Group service trips (volunteer vacations) are often full. We are working to help them increase transportation availability.

Hawaii Island Land Trust

The Hawaii Island Land Trust has under its protection a variety of places across Maui to protect the shoreline and nesting birds, archaeological remains, habitat for endangered and native plants, geological formations, wildlife habitat, agricultural and water resource value.

Protected lands in Maui include ‘Ulupalakua Ranch with it’s upland features, Nu’u Landing that feature wetlands and dry forest habitat as well as other properties in Launiupoko, Kipahulu, Spreckelsville, Wailuku, Nahiku, Kapalua and Hana.

Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project

Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project is focused on protecting the native forest and supportive ecosystem across Maui. Partnering with other organizations their science focused approach, provides results for Maui’s forest birds. They employ conventional techniques to monitor the wild population, study the success of breeding and population health as well as active research to improve these rare and endangered species chances for long term survival. Help them plant trees for the birds

They support Maui Mauka Conservation Awareness Trainings to help improve guides awareness and knowledge. Their active work in the forest also means the project needs lots of replacement gear services. They could always use help and you can start by filling in the volunteer survey.

Auwahi Forest Restoration Project

Dryland forests were and still are incredibly important to Hawaiian culture as their lives depended on them. The hardwoods made tools and weapons, from the bird’s feathers came cloaks for the Ali’i and a variety of plants provided medicinal and religious items. The Auwahi Forest has cultural significance beyond the island of Maui as very little of this forest remains throughout the chain. This forest contains a high concentration of endangered species that need more than protection, it needs restoration.

Their efforts have reduced non-native species cover down to 2%. The tree seedlings planted at Auwahi have a 95% survivability rate and grow rapidly. The forest requires a 4×4 so there are limited spaces available for volunteers. The best thing you can do is donate make your donation go 2, 3 or 4 times further. For each dollar they receive they have matching fund agreements in place.

Forest Restoration Projects

To provide an idea of how far your donation goes. Check out the type of trees you can have planted based on your donation.

Are you a local? Make better planting decisions and learn about the types of plants that you should plant here on Maui.

$10

1 Native Tree– koa, ohia, mamane, pilo, akala, mamake, aalii or kolea

$20

2 Native Trees

$30

1 iliahi(Hawaiian Sandalwood)

Cultural Organizations

This is not only about the a’ina. We look to our past… to the people, ways and legends which can teach us much about living a healthy life on the islands. These are some of the most valuable lessons to be learned in this life. They need to be handed on to future generations before they’ve been lost and forgotten. As a company, we demand respect for the a’ina on all of our tours. We do everything in our power to make sure our footprint is as light as possible.

VIE focuses on being culturally fluent and conservation focused tour company. We are looking to support organizations that have active, ongoing sustainable missions and events (both cultural and environmental) we can get behind by promoting – and possibly participating in during our tours.

Participate in a cultural series within Haleakala National Park:

Saturday’s from 10am to 12pm in the Summit district
Sunday’s from 1pm to 3pm in the Kipahulu district

These are some of the most valuable lessons to be learned in this life. they need to be handed on to

Kipahulu Ohana

The Kipahulu Ohana has done a remarkable job of restoring the ancient loi (taro gardens) located with the Haleakala National Park Kipahulu area.

Come be educated in the “old ways” of Hawaii thru demonstrations and hands-on activities. As part of the their efforts to restore native cultural practices surrounding sustainable living in an ‘Ahupua’a; they offer demonstrations of poi pounding and taro loi (garden) tours. Support the ohana and take a 2 hour hike to discover this living farm.

Maui Fish Ponds

The fishpond is a living, working example of the genius of the Hawaiian people. It is a testament to their dedication to sustainability, efficiency and understanding of the ocean environment. This is a cultural landmark that must be seen to be appreciated.

Ko`ie`ie Fish Pond in Kihei was said in legend to be built by the menehune in one night. Major rebuilds have allowed continual use of the fishpond thru the centuries and into today. You can join the monthly community work days the last Saturday of each month from 8am to 10am.