volunteer tourism maui

8 Maui Volunteer on Vacation Sign-Ups: Maui Fire Volunteer Events

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The outpouring of love and donations from around the world to support the survivors of the Maui wildfires has been inspiring. As Maui is open to visitors to support their economy, many want to continue to give. Here is a hand-selected list of Maui volunteer on vacation opportunities.

Some volunteer organizations require training, such as the Hawaii Red Cross . While that is wonderful to match skills with those who need them, such volunteering can be challenging on a Maui vacation. 

Therefore, we have hand-picked the following Maui volunteer on vacation opportunities that allow your short time on Maui to provide the maximum impact.

If you are not visiting Maui or looking for more volunteer opportunities, see our 12 Hawaii Volunteer Opportunities You Don’t Want to Miss .

Do You Have to Volunteer on Vacation on Maui?

Here at The Hawai’i Vacation Guide, we espouse Hawaii’s community-formed action plan for regenerative tourism. The policy is a pillar of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement .

Part of regenerative tourism is to ensure communities and tourism enrich each other. This is all to say that you don’t have to volunteer when you visit Maui or Hawaii. 

We believe the simple act of shopping at local businesses is a huge way to kōkua (help) the community.

To run a business well in Hawaii, one should live on the island. Hence, visiting a restaurant, going on a guided tour, or shopping will most likely be at a locally owned store. Chains like Tommy Bahamas or Duke’s restaurants are not locally owned but for the most part, it isn’t hard to support locals. Below are some ways you can support the local Maui economy.

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Maui Volunteer on Vacation: Get Matched with a Maui Fire Charity

Here is our list of Maui volunteer on vacation opportunities, starting with organizations that act as a clearinghouse.

Timeline : We recommend signing up with these groups two to three weeks before you plan to arrive. This gives them time to match you with an organization that fits your travel schedule.

Volunteering on vacation means you have to be flexible. Be ready to move your itinerary around in order to make it to the volunteer event.

HandsOnMaui is a County of Maui-managed community board of upcoming volunteer events. They continue to add events that directly help fire victims. Fill out their form to get matched with a Maui volunteer event. Maui Nui Strong is the main website and they will link you to HandsOnMaui.

Maui Disaster Response and Recovery Support has a form to connect volunteers with a wide range of organizations looking for help. They will match you with an organization. This organization, Maui Rapid Response, is a volunteer group that formed during COVID-19 and they mobilized again on the night of the fires.

Malama Hawaii is a program built for Hawaii visitors. Malama means to care for in Hawaiian. The Hawaii Tourism Authority helps provide a free night in a hotel when you participate in one of their volunteer events. Many events are malama ‘aina (to care for the land), so they provide a unique Maui volunteer experience. We expect they will start to add events to help with the Maui fire recovery. 

Maui Fire Volunteer Sign-up Opportunities

Here is our hand-picked list of Maui volunteer on vacation opportunities. These six Maui volunteer organizations have a focus on supporting the survivors of the Maui wildfires.

The Maui volunteer charities all have their own timeline for signing up so make sure to check these out sooner rather than later so you have time to volunteer on Maui!

Common Ground Collective : The Common Ground Collective has been helping feed those affected by the Maui wildfires and has provided over 92,000 meals in August 2023. They are also helping farmers affected by the fires connect with new buyers so they can keep their farms going. 

• Volunteer opportunities are available for washing fruit on Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 12:00-2:00 pm or gardening on Thursdays from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. 
• Use their volunteer request form and specify how you’d like to volunteer and when. There are also opportunities to volunteer for administrative tasks from home.
• Training required: minimal to none
• How to volunteer: form submission
• Help needed: fruit washing and gardening on set days and times

Pacific Birth Collective : The Pacific Birth Collective is an organization helping to educate, support, and advocate for families and local professionals across the Hawaiian islands. Part of their service is to advocate for families to be able to choose birthing practices that align with their traditions and culture. In response to the fires, they have been delivering food and supplies and have doubled down on reaching pregnant and postpartum families in need of resources and support.

• Volunteer opportunities are available to sort, collect, or distribute food and supplies on Maui. They are also open to volunteers for administrative assistance. 
• Help needed: Supply delivery with unspecified dates/times

Upcountry Strong : Upcountry Strong is an organization that started with COVID. They saw the increasing food insecurity in their communities and took action. They work to provide food, support, and resources in Upcountry Maui. In response to the Maui wildfires, they have been helping the effort to get food and supplies to the whole island. 

• Their volunteer needs change with the situation, so their Facebook page has the most up-to-date information. There you can find the exact tasks, locations, and available shifts to help with.
• Help needed: support in their hubs during defined time periods

Maui Strong’s Maui Mental Health Response: The Hawai’i Psychological Association and the Governor’s Office of Wellness and Resilience are working to connect mental health professionals with those affected by the fires and to support those working tirelessly to help the community. 

• Non-licensed volunteers are being called on to offer mental health support via Zoom for an hour or two to support first responders, frontline workers, therapists, volunteers, and other workers.
• They are also looking for mental health professionals licensed with the state of Hawai’i to offer their services.
• Training required: video training or must be state-licensed
• Help needed: 1-2 hours at your availability, completely remote for non-licensed volunteers

Hungry Heroes Hawaii : This is another organization that began in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued providing fresh meals to those in need since.

In response to the Maui wildfires, they have been providing 3,000 meals per day and are looking for more volunteers to help with various parts of the organization. 

• Sign-ups are available for kitchen work, deliveries, farming, social media, administration, and more. Specify your available dates and times within the next 30 days on their volunteer form.
• Help needed: specific tasks with various dates & time slots and plenty of availability within 30 days

Maui Food Bank : The Maui Food Bank has been an essential and effective resource that we have seen make a big impact on communities around Maui. They aren’t directly accepting volunteers, but they are partnering with All Hands and Hearts to connect volunteers with organizations that need help. 

• There are two ways you can directly help the Maui Food Bank. First is monetary donations, and second is to donate food virtually where you can shop online for your specific donation items.
• Training required: none
• How to volunteer: Make donations via online shopping or monetary
• Help needed: monetary and food donations

Maui Volunteer on Vacation Final Thoughts

Thanks for your interest in volunteering on Maui during your vacation. Maui has a double challenge of supporting the survivors of the Maui wildfires while keeping their local economy functioning. The situation on the island may get worse if unemployment continues to grow.

Therefore, your act of visiting Maui on vacation is a great way to help. If you want to help out while on Maui, this list of volunteer events will help. See our Maui Travel Updates for our continued updates on what you can expect when visiting Maui.  For more Maui trip planning information, read our free Maui Travel Guide or get our best travel tips and things to do on Maui in our Maui Wayfinder Itinerary.

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Thanks for reading The Hawaii Vacation Guide! I'm the co-founder, with my wife Erica, of the best Hawaii travel guide on the internet in our biased opinions. We enjoy traveling throughout Hawaii after living on Maui and Oahu. We share our adventures, travel tips and resources, and honest reviews so you can easily plan your dream vacation to Hawaii. Editing our videos, teaching the kids how to snorkel, and learning about the 'aina (land) and Hawaii culture are my favorite things to do. Have a wonderful trip to the Aloha State.

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Volunteering on Vacation in Maui

Are you looking to help with Maui Fire Relief efforts on your next Maui vacation? Here is our blog specifically about Where and How to Volunteer on Maui: Help Maui Recover

Ever considered volunteering on vacation in Maui? In these days of ecotourism, many travelers enjoy doing a little volunteer work while vacationing. Why? Other than the obvious satisfaction of doing a good deed and having a positive impact on the place you are visiting, voluntourism offers other perks: a chance to see areas that are not usually open to visitors, experience “the real thing” outside of typical tourist activities, work side-by-side with local residents (and gain their heartfelt appreciation), and create a unique vacation memory unlike any other. (Above photo ©Poi Dog Photo)

On Maui, there are visitor volunteer opportunities suited to a variety of personal interests relating to land, sea, and animals. Here are some suggestions for fun and meaningful volunteer activities on Maui — and if you do any of these, let me just extend my own personal “Mahalo” to you right now!

UPDATE: This blog was updated in November 2021, but due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, some of the organizations and volunteer activities mentioned in this blog could change their operations. Please check with these places directly to verify their operating status. Mahalo!

IDEAS FOR VOLUNTEERING ON VACATION IN MAUI

The Hawaii Tourism Authority has joined with a selection of hotels, condos, and non-profit organizations across the state to create the Malama Hawaii program for visitors. ( M alama means “to take care of, tend, care for, preserve, protect”.) This wonderful new program was designed to encourage more responsible tourism by giving visitors a free night at participating accommodations if they take part in a specified volunteer activity during their stay in the islands. More details on volunteer opportunities and a list of participating hotels on Maui  here . 

©Poi Dog Photo

Lend A Helping Paw to a Homeless Dog

Are you a dog lover? Will you miss your pet while visiting Maui? Share a little love with one of the Maui Humane Society’s homeless shelter dogs by taking one out for an afternoon excursion! The “Beach Buddies” program was created specifically for visitors who want to enjoy some time with a canine buddy—go to the beach, go hiking, or just hang out together for a few hours. You’ll be rewarded by seeing a very happy dog (see photo at bottom)! A minimum donation of $50 is requested, and you are provided with instructions and all the doggy supplies you might need in a “beach buddy backpack.” Advance sign up is required. This popular program often fills up several months in advance…so make your arrangements well ahead of your arrival. Offered every Wednesday and Friday, by appointment only.  Details  

Remove Invasive Plants from Honokowai Valley

Honokowai Valley in the West Maui Mountains is usually not open to the public, but you’ll get a rare glimpse of this protected area by volunteering to remove invasive plants, helping to restore and preserve the valley. You’ll see rare archaeological sites and learn about Hawaiian history and culture, as well. Every Saturday. Advance sign up is required. Details  

©Polinahe Photography

Jump In and Clean an Ocean Reef

Tour boat company Trilogy has a wonderful volunteer program called “Blue ‘Aina” that both residents and visitors can participate in. Once a month, they take a group of volunteers out to clean up reefs, and the program has been successful in removing hundreds of pounds of debris from Maui’s fragile reefs. You’ll board one of Trilogy’s catamarans, head out to a reef, hop in the water, and get to work. There is a fee of $50 (which is donated to a local charity) and lunch is included. Details , upcoming dates, and advance registration. 

Protect the Environment at Haleakala National Park

Hike into Haleakala and help remove invasive plants or work on other projects to protect the area’s unique eco-system. Free transportation and admission to Haleakala National Park is included in this outing, which is led by a certified naturalist and professional guide from the Pacific Whale Foundation. Bring your lunch and enjoy a picnic above the clouds while volunteering on vacation in Maui! Every 1 st and 3 rd Saturday. Advance sign up is required. Details (UPDATE: This program has been temporarily suspended due to COVID.)

Pictured: A  Haleakala  Silversword in bloom. This rare plant is a threatened species protected by federal law.

Count Birds!

If you are into birding, the National Audobon Society’s Annual Christmas Bird Count is for you! This century-old bird census takes place in the latter half of December across the United States, including each of the Hawaiian Islands. The program relies on “citizen scientist” volunteers to do the counting. Details on this and other year-round volunteer activities. 

Clear and Restore Waihee Coastal Dunes and Wetlands Refuge

This is an extraordinary area along the island’s northwest coast that boasts some of Maui’s last sand dunes, as well as numerous birds and a rich Hawaiian history. Volunteers remove invasive plants, pull weeds, and clear brush to preserve and restore the area. Every Friday. Advance sign up is required. Details

Help Maintain South Maui’s Coastal Area

Help restore South Maui sand dunes, maintain an oceanside trail, pick up litter, and remove invasive plants from various public beach parks along the South Maui coast. Most Monday mornings. Advance sign up is required. Details

Get Into the Garden with the “Weed and Pot Club”

Join this group of volunteers (love the name of this club!) at the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens in Kahului to weed in the gardens and pot plants in the nursery facilities. Be dressed for garden work and wear closed-toe shoes. Tools, gloves, sunscreen, refreshments, and expertise is provided. Wednesday mornings. Details    

Count Whales!

The annual Great Whale Count in winter is organized by the Pacific Whale Foundation and gathers critical information to support the organization’s ongoing research relating to the North Pacific Humpback Whales that migrate to Hawaii’s waters every winter. Volunteers (“citizen scientists”) are stationed at a dozen spots around Maui to track and count the whales. A call for volunteers is usually posted on PWF’s web site a month prior to the event.  Details 

Be A Turtle Monitor (and More)

The Hawaii Wildlife Fund sponsors a number of great volunteer programs on Maui, including activities that track and monitor hawksbill and green sea turtles in order to assess the population, protect nests, and assist injured creatures. They also host volunteer beach cleanups, in-water reef cleanups, monk seal watches, and more. Details  

Do Your Own Beach Clean Up

The Pacific Whale Foundation offers a variety of conservation-oriented volunteer opportunities, including the Coastal Marine Debris Monitoring Program . Pacific Whale Foundation will provide you with supplies and marine debris data sheets, then off you go to do your own clean up. Choose your favorite beach or coastal area and go for it!

Maui Ocean Center (the fabulous aquarium in Maalaea) also hosts individual beach clean ups and other volunteer opportunities throughout the year, so take a look at their site for more information. Look for the Honu Hero Beach Cleanup Program.

MAHALO FOR HELPING US CARE FOR OUR LAND, SEA, AND ANIMALS ON MAUI!

A happy participant in Maui Humane Society’s “Beach Buddies” visitor volunteer program. ©Poi Dog Photo

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© Copyright 2015-Present  Maui Accommodations Guide. If you wish to share content from our site, you may do so only by publishing a link to our original content on MauiAccommodations.com, so full and clear credit is given to us. Any other unauthorized use and/or duplication of any materials on this site (either text or photos) without our express and written permission is strictly prohibited. For permission to use excerpts or photos from our site, please contact the  publisher . Mahalo!

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Volunteer for a Cleaner Ocean

With maui ocean center.

At Maui Ocean Center, we’re not just about showcasing marine life; we’re dedicated to actively preserving it. That’s why we invite individuals, residents, and visitors alike, to join us in our mission to restore and safeguard our marine environments through the MOC Marine Institute’s Honu Hero Beach Cleanup Program .

Why Beach Cleanups Matter: Combating Plastic Pollution

Taking part in beach cleanups is not just a commendable activity; it’s a crucial step towards combating the pervasive issue of plastic pollution. Shockingly, a staggering 10 million tons of plastic find their way into our oceans each year. Approximately 50% of all plastic production serves single-use purposes, contributing significantly to the pollution crisis. Sadly, less than 9% of the plastic waste generated globally is recycled, leaving the rest to linger in our ecosystems. The devastating toll on marine life is heart-wrenching. Each year, an estimated 1 million marine animals lose their lives due to plastic pollution. 

By participating in beach cleanups, we directly combat these alarming statistics. It’s a tangible way for individuals to make a significant impact and protect our precious marine environments.

How Can You Volunteer for a Beach Cleanup?

• Get Your Cleanup Kit: Your cleanup kit includes essentials like a bucket or reusable bag for debris, a datasheet, clipboard, pencils, and gloves. Kits are available for pickup daily between 10 am and 2 pm. Arrange for yours here.
• Choose Your Beach, Have Fun!: Select a beach of your choice and enjoy the cleanup activity. You decide how much time you'd like to dedicate.
• Return Your Kit and Datasheet: Details on how to return your cleanup kit will be provided at the time of pickup.
• Share Your Efforts: Post a picture of your cleanup on Instagram using #HonuHero. As a token of appreciation, you'll receive an exclusive Honu Hero sticker.

Join us in making a real difference in safeguarding marine life and ensuring a vibrant ocean for generations to come!

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Planning Your Cleanup

• Individual Cleanups: Please notify us at least 72 hours in advance.
• School Groups: Kindly provide a 30-day notice.
• Corporate Events: For corporate cleanups, please reach out to Dustin Paradis at [email protected].

Costs and Group Sizes

• Individual Cleanups: No cost involved.
• School Groups: No cost involved.
• Corporate Events: For inquiries about cleanup supplies and costs for corporate events, please contact Dustin Paradis at [email protected].
• Maximum Group Size: We can accommodate groups of up to 100 individuals, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate and make a meaningful impact.

What's in Your Honu Hero Cleanup Kit?

Each cleanup kit contains essential tools to make your effort effective and convenient. It includes a sturdy bucket for collecting debris, a datasheet, clipboard, pens, and protective gloves. These kits are available for pick-up at the Maui Ocean Center admission gate on Tuesdays through Fridays.

More About the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute

Established in April 2016 and introduced at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Honolulu, HI, the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute (MOC Marine Institute) is a non-profit organization deeply committed to the preservation of Hawai’i’s marine ecosystem.

The institute’s mission is to instill a sense of lifelong environmental stewardship and safeguard the survival of coral reefs and sea turtles ( honu ) in Hawai’i. This commitment is executed through a multidimensional approach rooted in science-based conservation initiatives, comprehensive educational programs, and widespread outreach efforts.

By combining scientific research with community engagement and education, the MOC Marine Institute stands at the forefront of marine conservation in Hawai’i, striving to ensure the long-term health and resilience of these crucial ecosystems.

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Voluntourism in Paradise: 5 Incredible Opportunities to Give Back on Maui

V acationing on Maui is certainly good for the soul. You’ll be exploring bamboo forests, dining at epic restaurants, and strolling miles of coastline, no doubt. But what if your Valley Isle getaway also included time spent lending a hand? Chances are, it’ll make your days on Maui that much more memorable.

To that end, we’ve rounded up some volunteering options to consider. Each makes for a great way to get to know the community, learn about Hawaiian culture — all while being surrounded by Maui’s natural beauty — and return home knowing you’ve done some good. A win-win-win.

1. Hanging out with a furry friend

Photo: Shutterstock/Lauren Marie Baer

Daily dips in the sea, stand-up paddleboarding sessions, and morning walks are that much better with a furry companion. The Maui Humane Society Beach Buddies program gives you the chance to take a shelter dog out for a full day of fun. Make a pup’s day — and, let’s be honest, yours too — by tackling a hiking trail or heading to a dog-friendly restaurant. All you have to do is sign up ahead of time on the Maui Humane Society website, and you’ll be paired with a dog based on your dog-handling experience and desired activity level.

Your pet for the day will be bathed and ready for adventure and will come with a backpack of supplies — including a water bottle, bowl, towel, treats, poop bags, and a seatbelt. There’s no charge for the Beach Buddies program, but a donation of at least $25 helps keep the program going strong.

2. Bringing your horticulture skills to a national park

Photo: Shutterstock/Evan Austen

Haleakala National Park , named for the impressive Haleakala volcano, provides quite the backdrop for volunteer work. Once a month, you can volunteer with Friends of Haleakala National Park to care for a wide array of extremely rare native plants, like the ahinahina , or silversword; cyanea, found deep in Kipahulu Forest Reserve; and a rare mintless mint that grows in Haleakala Crater.

“Many species evolved in isolation here in Hawaii to become unique species,” says volunteer Maggie Sutrov. “Haleakala is even more unique because it’s the summit of the island. These plants are a part of the wonder of this place; they evolved to live here and nowhere else.”

If you can’t make it to the park, you can still help protect an endangered species and its habitat: Consider adopting a Nene , the state bird of Hawaii. Though once extinct from Maui, it was re-introduced in the 1960s, and there are now about 1,800 wild Nene birds throughout the islands.

For something more physically demanding, sign up for a three-day service trip into the crater, where you’ll spend five hours a day helping out with things like weed pulling, trail cleaning, cabin cleaning, and bird identification.

“Haleakala has five overnight cabins located three miles, seven miles, and nine miles down inside the crater, so this gives people the chance to experience the majestic volcanic features, bird and plant life, and dark starry nights,” says another volunteer, Joani Morris. “To get out on the last day, the gain in elevation on the Switchbacks Trail (Halemauu) is considerable, but all in all people will experience one of the best wilderness experiences of their lives,” she explains. “We always learn something new as we spot native birds and massive koa trees. Plus, there’s the musical rainstorms pounding on the cabin roof and shooting stars; I could go on and on.”

3. Lending a hand at a beach cleanup

Photo: Shutterstock/Richard Podgurski

Hawaiian Paddle Sports hosts beach cleanups and other opportunities to give back each month. The company strongly believes in the concept of kuleana : If you’re fortunate enough to enjoy Maui as your home or vacation destination, then it’s important to accept the kuleana (responsibility) to take care of the island. Check the website for upcoming dates — and for additional beach-cleanup events, Surfrider Maui and Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii are other options.

“We hope to leave each place we visit better than we found it and to share this mission with our guests,” explains Timothy Lara, owner of Hawaiian Paddle Sports. “ Kuleana is something our guests can carry with them wherever they go, even in their own backyards.”

4. Protecting a gorgeous coastal refuge

Photo: Hawaii Islands Land Trust

The Hawaiian Islands Land Trust offers plenty of volunteer-on-vacation opportunities, like their ongoing effort in Wailuku. Here, volunteers spend the morning at Waihee Coastal Dunes and Wetlands Refuge , a gorgeous stretch of coast rich in Hawaiian history. Your job: to remove invasive plant species and clear out brush and weeds, which helps restore native wildlife habitat and preserve significant cultural sites. The area was once home to two thriving Hawaiian villages, an inland fishpond, and several Hawaiian temples known as heiau .

While here, keep your eyes peeled for birds! Native species like the aeo (stilt) and alae keokeo (coot) call the refuge home. Added bonus: If you’re lucky, you may spot nesting green sea turtles or even endangered Hawaiian monk seals.

5. Taking part in a coral reef survey

Photo: Shutterstock/Denis Moskvinov

If you’d prefer to get out on the water, consider being a citizen scientist for a few hours. Polanui Hiu , a group working to address the decline of Maui’s marine resources, conducts reef surveys throughout the year. Volunteers suit up in snorkel gear and swim near shore with data sheets and clipboards to collect info crucial for detecting changes in reef-fish populations. During the snorkel session, you’ll be on the lookout for seven species of fish that are ono (ones that people like to eat). For even more volunteering options, visit the Hawaiian Paddle Sports website .

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Volunteer Activities For Visitors to Maui

You are here, 15 jul 2023.

Visiting Hawai’i is an incredible way to spend your vacation and can truly be a trip you will never forget. There is something magical about this place, and as such, it deserves to be protected. When planning your Maui vacation, consider how you can do your part to protect the island’s delicate ecosystems and preserve it for the future through voluntourism. Maui has some amazing volunteer opportunities that will educate you about the people and places you’re visiting, and offer a deeper, more meaningful connection to the island. 

If you want to add a volunteer activity to your vacation itinerary, here are 6 ways to volunteer while visiting Maui:

Collect marine debris with the pacific whale foundation.

Marine debris is probably one of the toughest environmental challenges facing island and coastal communities, including Maui. Ocean currents and tides can bring marine debris into coastal ecosystems, damaging coral, endangering fish, birds, and other wildlife, and leeching poisonous chemicals into the water. If you’re interested in helping to clean up this debris, potentially saving hundreds of marine animals, protecting the ocean’s health, and helping preserve coral reefs, the Pacific Whale Foundation allows you to get directly involved in marine debris removal. You can even help catalog and chart the debris, which helps the Pacific Whale Foundation and other foundations design better preservation protocols for the future. For anyone interested in regenerative tourism, this is a great place to start! 

Protect Native Wildlife with Hawai’i Wildlife Fund

The Hawai'i Wildlife Fund works to identify at-risk native wildlife and design unique protection protocols for each species. While visiting Maui, you can volunteer to protect nesting sea turtles and their eggs, clean marine debris and other landscapes, protect monk seals, humpback whales, or other important at-risk species on the island. Remember, protecting these species and cleaning up human trash doesn’t just help them. It also protects coral reefs and entire ecosystems on and around Maui. Ready to help keep Hawai’i wild? Programs change seasonally, so check back often for new opportunities to protect Maui wildlife. 

Take Care Of Hawai’i Malama Hawai’i with Redline Rafting

Redline Rafting has many different opportunities to Malama Hawai’i (protect Hawai’i). In support of Malama Hawai’i, Redline encourages visitors to leave the islands better than when you arrived by providing tote bags and tools for voluntourists who want to participate in trash cleanup throughout Maui. To make a difference, stop by the Kihei Boat Ramp from 6 am to 12 pm to pick up your own tote bag and trash grabber. Filling even one bag of trash can make a huge difference in the environmental health and resilience of the local ecosystem. 

Participate in Maui Beach Clean-ups with The Surfrider Foundation

Maui’s spectacular beaches are part of the island’s unparalleled appeal, but the resulting high traffic from visitors also makes these beaches vulnerable environments. Registering for a beach cleanup with the Surfrider Foundation can not only help minimize the impact of your visit to Maui's beaches but also teach you more about how to protect those beaches for future generations of visitors to enjoy. What’s more, the Surfrider Foundation provides data cards that help track information about the kinds of trash and pollution present on the beaches, which can then inform future conservation efforts. 

Volunteer With Animals with Leilani Farm Sanctuary

A place where dogs, cats and rescued farm animals at Leilani Animal Sanctuary can always use helping hands and hearts. When you volunteer, you give back to the community on Maui while learning about different farm tasks, the animals in the rescue, and how to maintain the landscape in harmony with the animals. Projects include gardening, cleaning barns, fence installation, animal grooming, and more. Volunteers with a specialized skill can even help Leilani Farm Sanctuary with a key project! 

Go On a Volunteer Hike with The Maui Sierra Club of Hawai’i

Hikes with the Sierra Club of Hawai'i are focused on education while enjoying the breathtaking beauty of Maui. Learn how to work together to preserve and protect the island on hikes that may include planting and replanting native species or removing litter and trash. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of how building better hiking habits can help in environmentmental preservation. 

Planning a Maui Vacation? 

These Maui volunteer activities are just a few of the transformative and effective ways you can form a deeper and more meaningful connection with the places, ecosystems, and communities you visit. 

If you’re planning to visit Maui any time soon, we can help you schedule your vacation, find the best vacation homes, and connect with local resources and volunteer opportunities on the island. Contact us today! [email protected] | 855.447.3685

• Episode 114: Volunteer on Maui: Inside the Valley Where Ancient Hawaii Still Thrives with Maui Cultural Lands

by Bryan Murphy | Nov 22, 2023

Imagine walking through a lush, green valley in Maui, surrounded by ancient Hawaiian archaeological sites, hearing legends and stories from a native Hawaiian cultural practitioner.

As you work together with locals to remove invasive species and plant native trees, you gain a profoundly deeper appreciation for the land, the culture, and what aloha really means.

That’s what you’ll get when you join Ekolu Lindsey for a volunteer day with Maui Cultural Lands. Not only will you help preserve an incredibly sacred space, but you’ll form connections, understand values, and experience Hawaii in a way most visitors never do.

Planning a trip to Hawaii? Have any questions? Join our Hawaii’s Best Travel Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!

This post gives general info and isn’t legal or authoritative advice. It helps travelers with tips but can’t replace personal abilities, fitness, experience, or local knowledge. Marine activities have risks; assess conditions and follow local laws.

• Find out more about today's guest...

Self-Guided Island Tours

Travel pono (responsibly), connect with us, spread aloha, related posts, 114-maui cultural lands.

As someone who obsesses over planning the perfect trip to Hawaii, discovering Maui Cultural Lands was a pivotal find for me. When my wife and I showed up at 9 AM on a Saturday morning to meet Ekolu and his mother Puanani, I had no concept of the perspective shift I was about to have.

Over the next 4 hours, we descended into the lush Honokowai Valley to learn first-hand from Ekolu about the history and significance of one of the most archaeologically rich valleys in Hawaii.

With impressive empathy and patience, Ekolu explained concepts like kupono, malama, and kokua that shape the Hawaiian mindset and worldview.

As we worked up a sweat removing invasive species and planting native trees, the stories Ekolu told transported us back centuries. We visualized how 600 native Hawaiians once lived prosperously in this valley.

We imagined the agriculture and aquaculture that sustained thousands more along Maui’s coastline. We felt the sadness and near loss of connection when colonization and industrialization exploited these lands.

Above all, we absorbed Ekolu’s model of perpetuating culture not with frustration but aloha – honesty, caring for life generationally, and helping wholeheartedly.

In just 4 short hours, volunteering with Maui Cultural Lands gave me and my wife more insight into authentic Hawaiian values than anything we’ve experienced before or since.

It cultivated a sense of kuleana (responsibility) in us to better understand the places we travel, engage respectfully with local culture, and give back however we can.

Key Discussion Topics

• The origin story of Maui Cultural Lands and mission to stabilize, protect, and restore Hawaiian cultural resources
• Why valleys like Honokowai held such importance for native Hawaiian communities as breadbaskets and sources of food sustainability
• The layers of meaning and history behind Hawaiian place names
• Perspectives on the pros and cons of reopening tourism in Hawaii post-pandemic
• Calls for more education of visitors on planes and rental car counters about respecting Hawaii’s natural resources
• Breakdowns of Hawaiian values like kupono, malama, and kokua that underpin the culture
• Expectations and logistics for visitors wanting to volunteer at Maui Cultural Lands

The experience I had volunteering with Ekolu and Maui Cultural Lands stirred my spirit in a way I’ll never forget. It cultivated a sense of connection, purpose, and appreciation for a place that goes far deeper than any beach, hike, or plate of food could offer.

I hope Ekolu’s wisdom and aloha in this conversation inspires you to not just consume experiences when you travel, but seek out opportunities to participate, understand, and give back.

Consider setting aside one morning of your trip to volunteer with Maui Cultural Lands and see the transformation it creates in you. Engage with Ekolu’s incredible knowledge.

Help remove destructive invasive species to allow native plants to regenerate. And become part of this profound movement to honor the land, the culture, and the future of Hawaii.

You’ll walk away far more enlightened, connected, and appreciative of what makes Hawaii so incredibly special.

Become a Supporter of the Show

Find out more about today’s guest…

• Maui Cultural Lands   website
• Blog post:   Thanksgiving in Hawaii
• Blog post:   9 Unique Ways to Volunteer on Kauai
• Kauai Oahu Maui Hawaii Island (Big Island)
• Episode 70 – How to Volunteer in Hawaii
• Episode 87 – How to Travel Responsibly to Hawaii
• Episode 35 – 5 Things to Not Do in Hawaii
• Pono Pledge Website
• Traveling to Hawaii Responsibly: Episode 77
• Buy Me a Coffee
• Send Us a Message with any questions about Hawaii
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Bumper music, Ukulele and Chill, provided by Coby G (used with permission) Bumper music, Aloha Friday, provided by Clay D (used with permission)

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[00:00:00] Ekolu Lindsey: So as it was taught to me, Hono Kauai Valley, Hono is bay, Kauai referred to sugar, and Waiʻi or Waiʻi is fresh water. So our interpretation is a bay of sweet water. It was the agricultural food production area of Kekaʻa, Kekaʻa being a place we call Black Rock or where the Sheraton and Kaanapali is right now.

[00:00:23] So it was the breadbasket. To feed the many villages that exist along the coastline.

[00:00:29] Bryan Murphy: That is Ikolo Lindsay, the president of Maui Culture Lands on Maui. I can't wait for you to hear more from him and about Maui culture lands and, and how you and your family can get involved during your next trip to Maui.

[00:00:45] Lots to talk about on this episode of Hawaii's. Best. Let's go

[00:00:52] Announcement: Aloha. Welcome to Hawaii's Best Here. You'll learn what to know before traveling as we discover Hawaiian culture, [00:01:00] local businesses, and the experiences that make Hawaii one of the most incredible places in the world. And now. Your host, Brian Murphy.

[00:01:10] Bryan Murphy: Welcome to this episode of Hawaii's best. Just thank you so much for joining me today. Today is a special episode. It's actually a replay. I'm taking some time the last couple of weeks and this week to rest and spend time with family here in the U S. It is Thanksgiving week. So I just want to say if you're celebrating Thanksgiving with family, I hope you have a great day, a great week.

[00:01:34] Many people are off this week, especially those who have school. So hope you have a great week and, um, actually I've been. Really busy working on the blog and writing more content on there. So you can go to Hawaii's best travel. com and Check out some of the latest blog posts that we have up there We actually have a blog post that we recently wrote about Thanksgiving in Hawaii So if [00:02:00] you are curious about what Thanksgiving is like in Hawaii You can go ahead and check that out and I'll link that below in the episode description of this You know, I get a lot of questions lately, and they're great questions about how to volunteer in Hawaii and specifically different islands.

[00:02:19] And coincidentally, I actually wrote a post about nine unique ways to volunteer on the island of Kauai. So I'll go ahead and I'll link that as well. But today I want to talk specifically about Maui cultural lands, and this is an episode that was released. Probably about a year, year and a half ago, and it was with Ikolo Lindsay, who leads the organization Maui Culture Lands, and this is one of the best ways if you're visiting Maui to go ahead and volunteer on the island.

[00:02:52] We got to experience this with Ikolo and His mom who Anani and it was one of those moments [00:03:00] that I know myself and my wife will never forget going down into the Honkowai Valley and removing invasive species and planting trees and learning more about the ecosystem and the importance of why water within this valley And unfortunately, it's pretty dried up.

[00:03:24] That's a whole other conversation about water usage and rights on the island of Maui, which is a really prevalent conversation right now that's worth looking into, especially on the hills. Uh, everything that has happened in Lahaina and the reason I wanted to reshare this episode was one, because like I mentioned, I get a lot of questions about volunteering in Hawaii and people are traveling back to Maui.

[00:03:55] And this is a great way to give back through this organization, Maui [00:04:00] Culture Lands. And they actually lost their home, uh, the Lindsay family in the Lahaina fires. And uh, which is so tragic. Um, I know they're doing tours again. So it's important to Go to their website And i'll link that as well and just get the up to date info about if you are planning to travel to maui To look them up.

[00:04:22] I've actually had a listener email me and just wanted to thank me about recommending Maui cultural lands. So definitely check them out. And I hope that this conversation gives some insight into what volunteering looks like on Maui and also a little bit about the happenings on Maui as as it relates to responsible tourism and granted this episode was recorded in kind of a similar time as Now, as far as travel to Maui, when the Lahaina fires happened, traveling [00:05:00] stopped to the island and then it reopened and there was a lot of conversations about what reopening looks like and especially on the west side.

[00:05:07] This was recorded after the pandemic and after that reopening happened. So there was a lot of, there's a lot of similarities to the current climate on Maui, granted the current climate now is. Completely, uh, unique to the circumstance of the tragedy in Lahaina. So I just wanted to emphasize that. Anyways, I'm going to stop yakking because I want you to hear this conversation with Ecolu Lindsay on the island of Maui.

[00:05:38] So let's go ahead and let's talk story.

[00:05:40] Ekolu Lindsey: Ecolu,

[00:05:49] Bryan Murphy: thank you so much for coming on Hawaii's Best. I appreciate you and your time. How are you doing today?

[00:05:54] Ekolu Lindsey: I'm doing wonderful man and thank you for having me and giving us this opportunity to [00:06:00] share what we would do with my cultural lands and just share with the general public the opportunities that exist here in Maui.

[00:06:06] Bryan Murphy: Absolutely. And as those who are listening, I gave a bio of who you are Maui culture land a little bit but love to hear just from your own breath just obviously you're all Maui who you are and bring us up today of where Maui culture lands is today.

[00:06:22] Ekolu Lindsey: Okay. My name is Ekolu Lindsey. My father started Maui Cultural Lands back in 1999.

[00:06:29] This was just after the sugar industry had closed down on West Maui. And so all the lands became ripe for development and being purchased by developers. So it became a mission of his and a few others to explore the many valleys that exist and found Honokuai Valley to be one of the most archaeologically rich valleys.

[00:06:49] So the effort was made there to focus in on the cultural resources. And the stories, the history of that space, the intent is to create the [00:07:00] awareness for people. What's in their backyards? Why is it there? What story does it tell? And to be inclusive in this, and his grander vision was to include every single valley along West Mali.

[00:07:11] Because as development moves along, these stories, and I hate to use the word story, but lack of a better word, it's not stories, it's a recounting of fact. These stories tend to get lost. And it becomes just a space that people live in, but the history of that space is super important, describing the ecology of the area, a cultural identity of the area, what used to be, and it's important to know the history of the spaces because without the history of the space, we don't know who we are, where we're going.

[00:07:40] We rely on that so much. So the effort was made to preserve Honokuai Valley through education. My father is a retired teacher and he loved the outdoor classrooms. And, you know, growing up, I was always envious of him taking his students out on a double hull canoe or hiking Kealaloa, the King's [00:08:00] Trail, and camping out and doing celestial navigation.

[00:08:03] They did all this really cool stuff, you know. People can't really do too much anymore today. And

[00:08:09] Bryan Murphy: that stays with you. Right. Like that. Right. You can smell that you walked the same footsteps. Right.

[00:08:15] Ekolu Lindsey: So, you know, he, he, he did that. And this was his outdoor classroom, basically, what it turned out to

[00:08:20] Bryan Murphy: be. He talked a little bit about, obviously, when Sugar Mill came and that production.

[00:08:25] But what about the history? Because the valley has so much. The

[00:08:28] Ekolu Lindsey: Honokauai Valley and a lot of people. Get confused with Honokohau, it's Honokohau is out past Honolulu Bay, notice the word Hono three times already, right? So Hono is Bay. So Honokowai, like any Hawaiian name, place name, it comes, the name itself holds the molelo or the history of that place.

[00:08:49] And it's also always open to interpretation based on, who's telling that? We're counting off the fact. So as it was taught to me, Honokaui Valley, [00:09:00] hono is bay, ko referred to sugar, and wai or wai is fresh water, so our interpretation is a bay of sweet water. It was the agricultural food production area of Keka'a, Keka'a being a place we call Black Rock or where the Sheraton and Kaanapali is right now.

[00:09:19] So it was the bread basket to feed the many villages that exist along the coastline. It was estimated that 600 people kind of lived in that space, but it fed about 6, 000 people. It was a very rich agricultural production area. As such, you have a lot of remnant structures that date back to around 1200 AD.

[00:09:40] And so a lot, most of it is slowly column, but there's a hay aisle and other house structures. It's very, very rich. And it's Pretty awesome to see it still intact and my dad passed in 2009 and I didn't realize it's like I'm the howdy boy of the family I didn't realize [00:10:00] it was gonna drop into my lap you know I'm proud of that I'm like the only one in the family born in California it goes right my dad is in the military my mom was going to school at the time And so the Hollywood anyway, dropped into my lap and I was quite surprised when I was told to take over.

[00:10:20] But when you're growing up in this environment, you learn a lot of different things. Even if you're not paying attention, it's ingrained in you. And I said, man, if I'm going to do this, let's just go for it and go all out. Just learn along the way and essentially that's what's happened, you know, stay close to my mom, listen to her wealth knowledge, grab that, did my research, talked to many people, kept sharing it with the many visitors and guests that come and next thing you know, I'm like 12 years down the line doing it longer than what my dad was doing.

[00:10:51] I told my mother a couple years, I said, dad, mom, I've been doing this longer than dad has. Although my dad was doing it all his life as a teacher, but in Hong [00:11:00] Kauai, you know, you put that into that time perspective, it's pretty incredible.

[00:11:04] Bryan Murphy: So maybe some like, I guess just super elementary questions. Why is it important to preserve this valley and talking about reforestation and native species versus.

[00:11:17] Invasive. Why is that all important? Why does that matter? Oh,

[00:11:20] Ekolu Lindsey: cool. That's a great question, right? Why does it matter? That's a good question. You know, because when I moved back home to Maui in 2001, I had a, my son was three at the time. So being a busy parent working, he spent his Saturdays with my dad

[00:11:39] up

[00:11:39] Ekolu Lindsey: in the valley.

[00:11:40] And that's the same question at four year old. Asked him, Grandpa, why is this important? And he was taken aback by that question because the scientists, the geologists, the botanists, everyone who's come up never asked him that question, let alone [00:12:00] try to phrase it into terms that a four year old can understand.

[00:12:07] So his answer, because that is who, what we are. That is who we are. That is what we are. Everything is held in that space of our history, our culture, and is the foundation of who we are as Hawaiians, as people. The archaeological sites, the stones, the plants, the botany portion of it, as my grandfather would say, the Hawaiian culture is a simple culture.

[00:12:39] It is based off of sticks and stones, food, clothing, transportation, medicine. It's all held with what nature had to offer. So we utilize nature to the best of our ability. And used it sustainably, something we aspire to, uh, move into in today's world. [00:13:00] So as simple as it sounds, it is super complex. I mean, I have met people, fishermen for instance, that look out at the ocean, they'll tell you what fish is spawning, what fish you can catch, the conditions of the ocean, the wound phase it's in, when it's time to plant, when it's time to harvest, all in an instant.

[00:13:25] Without even thinking because it's automatic for these guys and we don't have them too much anymore. We relying on apps, right? We're relying on a moon calendar. But when you run into people who live it and look at it every day, where it's so ingrained in them, and it's an automatic. Instantaneous decision that they make.

[00:13:44] I'm just amazed. I mean, no, I would aspire to that. But that, that is a true cultural practitioner. Right now, most of us are still students, students of it. You know, I'm still a student, always learning, but we can aspire to just make that instantaneous complex decision in a [00:14:00] moment. That is something that we should all aspire to.

[00:14:03] And that's because they are, uh, these practitioners are tuned in to what nature has to

[00:14:08] Bryan Murphy: offer. That's huge. You mentioned Black Rock and obviously there's large resorts there now. And I think about where Honokowai Valley is located. Is this a protected valley?

[00:14:23] Ekolu Lindsey: Right. So it's not necessarily protected. But we are the stewards, we are allowed to be there.

[00:14:30] So we are the stewards of that space and we have been there since 1999. We invite anybody who would like to participate in volunteering opportunities with us. You know, we take volunteers up every Saturday. We normally meet at nine o'clock and we finish just after lunch. We find a work for about 90 minutes, talk story for a little bit, enjoy each other's company, meet new people, learn new things, learn a little bit of culture, history, science, answer [00:15:00] any questions.

[00:15:00] We're not just going to work people. We want to share together because we also learn from our visitors, what they're doing in their part of the world. My dad, what he had created in this, was to share cultural values. The center of it all being a law. Everyone's got their definition of what a law is and a law.

[00:15:19] Like sticks and stones is simple yet very complex and if you got the time, I can go into this a little. Do it, do it,

[00:15:28] Bryan Murphy: yeah.

[00:15:29] Ekolu Lindsey: Okay, so my dad, the big scheme of it all is, I shouldn't say scheme, it's a wrong word. What he wants to do was to share Aloha with the world. If we can share a little with the world, perhaps we can have world peace.

[00:15:44] That was his high vision of things. So when I recently did a top story session in a town hall meeting with county council about regenerative Tourism what? You know, what is regenerative [00:16:00] tourism? We just came from a sustainable tourism, ecotourism, tism, agritourism. There's all these tourism things, right?

[00:16:06] To me, I'm becoming very cynical about these efforts. Is regenerative tourism another way of allowing more tourist to come here? Mm-Hmm. You know, it's just, you know, we're supposed to leave a, a lighter footprint, but when you are reaching 3 million visitors a year, how in the world can you leave a lighter footprint?

[00:16:24] You are using resources, you're, there's user conflict, there's major conflict, right? Right. So when I asked my aunt, my dad's older sister, she's, he, well, the, the elder of the family, what were five cultural values? that I could share on a regenerative tourism talk. First thing she says to me in Sekolah, these are not values.

[00:16:48] These are processes. You need to learn the process before you can practice the value of that process. And right there, I'm like, whoa! [00:17:00] A process? I've never heard of that. So I listened, and you know, when you listen to them, sometimes you just get one shot at it, and you better pick things up quickly. So the first process to learn is kupono.

[00:17:14] Kupono, honesty. Preferring to stand upright and stand tall. Also, pono, to stand in righteousness. You need to stand upright and tall for speaking the truth, something that I don't even think anybody can practice this value properly yet, because we're holding stuff back. But there's a way to tell the truth that's not degrading.

[00:17:36] It has to be a way to build people on their shortcomings. So the first step is have to learn kuponu. The second one you needed to learn was Malama. Malama was the light, the generation, regeneration of life, Malama, to take care of, that's automatic. Take care of that life. You know, we use the term Malama [00:18:00] Aina, Malama, you know, Malama many different things.

[00:18:04] So after Kupono and Malama, then we learn Kokuwa, okay? I've always understood Kokuwa as, uh, to help without any expectations, uh, reciprocation because you want to. She just blew my mind when she told me what Kokuwa was. Kokuwa is the backbone, also short for Akuwa or God. And the ko... is the long whistle of eternity.

[00:18:32] Oh, what? Whistle of eternity. I didn't even know eternity had a

[00:18:37] Bryan Murphy: sound. So, I'm

[00:18:40] Ekolu Lindsey: listening intently at this point because oh my god, this is like a process of understanding what Kokua is, a long whistle of eternity with a strong backbone and even helping people that it's automatic after learning honesty and how to take care of the regeneration and generation of life.

[00:18:58] So if you put it in an [00:19:00] algebraic equation, right, you have kupono plus malala plus kokua equals aloha, love and compassion, right? So learning aloha, the process of aloha encompasses learning these other processes, then you can practice that, right? And that was just a short conversation of something that went on for a long time, right?

[00:19:26] And, you know. I didn't pick it all up, but I got the gist of things. So when we say Aloha, my father would also say it's also misunderstood and misused. So we need to understand the true meaning of Aloha. I do have another aunt that tells me, Ikolu, Aloha was created by the visitors, the Malihini, so that we would accept them.

[00:19:50] There's no such thing as Aloha. We were warring people. We fought amongst each other. We fought against our brothers, our fathers, our sisters. So that's another [00:20:00] perspective, right? But, um, I think Aloha really loving compassion after learning these other processes is super important for all of us to understand as we're moving through a pandemic and, um, watching our visitor counts go

[00:20:16] Bryan Murphy: up.

[00:20:16] Let's jump into that a little bit. This time last year, Almost exactly. I, I think for some reason, August 8th is in my head or 13, something like that around this time last year, there was talks of like is slowly starting to reopen again after being closed for four, five months or so. And here we are sitting in last I saw it was, it was higher than 2019 numbers.

[00:20:43] And any search on Google right now, you just type in Hawaii, you're going to get some interesting articles. One being the Delta variant is skyrocketing right now on all the islands. And also there's articles of what you [00:21:00] already alluded to is. Where's this Aloha with travelers and there's tension, especially it feels like the hotbed, if you will, is East Maui.

[00:21:11] Oh,

[00:21:12] Ekolu Lindsey: well, you've brought up a whole lot of points that we can talk for a long time on, but I'm going to try to keep

[00:21:16] Bryan Murphy: Maybe there's a part two. Yeah. Yeah. So I'll keep

[00:21:21] Ekolu Lindsey: it. Somewhat brief, uh, let's, let's start with increasing visitor counts.

[00:21:27] Bryan Murphy: Yeah, maybe the reopening and seeing,

[00:21:29] Ekolu Lindsey: yeah. So reopening, you know, everyone was suffering, but government did step in and people were getting paid.

[00:21:36] And I think we created some lazy people out there because no one wants to go back to work if I can get free money and not work before I go back to work. Well, there's something to be said about an honest living, an honest wage, right? So I'm hoping people can jump back into work shortly. Because I've never heard of restaurants shutting down early.

[00:21:59] The [00:22:00] lines are super long. It's just nuts. You know, I'm just driving down Front Street. I'm in Lahaina. Driving down Front Street is just so busy. We never expected tourists to come back this quickly during a pandemic, right? We're not prepared for it. We're just not. But, you know, that year that we had off, nature had a respite from people.

[00:22:21] We saw fish come back. We saw cows come back. We saw... More people fishing and more families together. I think that had some time to strengthen that family nucleus as kids couldn't really go back to school. So the families needed to spend time together and recreate themselves, you know, because, you know, I only hear the bad stories.

[00:22:41] I hear I know there are good. 10 good stories, one bad story, you're going to hit the bad stuff, right? So I'm sure there's a lot of good stories out there, but I'm only hearing that the not so good ones with, uh, conflicts of people being disrespectful and entitled. I mean, if they shared with them a law, [00:23:00] they would understand, you know, and I met some really nice visitors who come and visit with us, uh, work volunteer with us as well.

[00:23:07] So I see the good side of that too, but I'm also seeing the frustration of local people and they learned over that pandemic, they gave up a lot to be in the visitor industry. We finally got our spaces back. Now we got to share it again. Right. I've never seen Connapoly Beach empty. And then as things opened up a little bit, it was all local people with their tents and coolers and kids and everything was really nice to see.

[00:23:32] And now that the chairs and the tents are back up that are for the visitors, there's a little more conflict. We can share the space, but we need to do this respectfully. What does that mean? Respectfully? How do we respectfully share that space? Right now, we're just overcrowded. There's just too much.

[00:23:48] There's just a capacity. There's only so many people you can fit into a room before the fire marshal shuts you down.

[00:23:53] Bryan Murphy: Maui isn't getting... any bigger. And there's also people coming into [00:24:00] Maui particular who aren't aware of some of the culture. And you mentioned something about, about the reef and you had to get out there, maybe a little bit of story on that.

[00:24:10] And then a little bit of education of someone coming to the culture for the first time.

[00:24:15] Ekolu Lindsey: Having gone out to East Maui several times, I worked with some of the guys out there working on some conservation action plans and try to restore the ecology, the marine life, and the terrestrial side as well. Just it's, uh, you got to take care of that whole ahupua'a system.

[00:24:31] But having gone out there a few times over the last couple of months, It's just too many people on those roads and working with like six different communities on East Mali. The number one thing that comes to the head all the time is people not knowing how to drive that road to East Mali. Everybody wants to take a look at the waterfalls, but you got cars parked on both sides of the roads.

[00:24:55] Big trucks can't get through. Locals are frustrated. They need to get to [00:25:00] work. You need to get home. They can't get past. You had an emergency vehicle stuck because they can't get through. So, uh, counties put up some little parking signs and have some enforcement, but it's real difficult to enforce these things out in East Mali because they only have the police force of X amount and you can't be there all the time, right?

[00:25:18] So I would like to ask anybody headed to East Mali to just be very. aware of their surroundings. Let the local cars pass by. Pull over as soon as possible if they can. Let them pass by. Don't block the roads. And also, the one thing that pops up on East Maui is people are swimming a lot in these streams, right?

[00:25:36] And what do you do before you go swimming? You put sunscreen on. Okay. Now Maui has, uh, we have some new laws in place where you need to use reed friendly sunscreen. But when you're putting on sunscreen and jumping into the streams, that water's going somewhere. So if you're around the Kenai area, that water is irrigating the taro that they have.

[00:25:57] So these guys in Kenai, they're [00:26:00] seeing oil slicks come down and watering the taro. What does that do to the food? It makes it taste funny. Right. So, you know, and even when you go out in the sun, cover up a little bit.

[00:26:11] Bryan Murphy: Right. So like even reef safe or non reef safe, does it regardless of whatever you're putting on your body is, it's slicking off and getting into the, the turtle fields.

[00:26:20] Ekolu Lindsey: With everything that's happening, you know, like this morning I was, I had kayakers on a tour that were stuck on the reef. What about those reefs? It's just rocks. But it's not rocks, it's a live coral that you're stuck on, you know, and they don't know that. So I went out there to help them. Okay, come this way, this is how you walk on the coral.

[00:26:40] I got them off. They didn't, you know, um, they had a new guide for this company. So I, I try to educate the guides, but when you have a high turnover rate, there's a lot of education on my, on my half, but I'm willing to do whatever it takes to protect our reefs. Well, people don't realize that these reefs.

[00:26:57] Protect not only property and people, [00:27:00] but they house a lot of fish and it's a whole

[00:27:02] ecosystem

[00:27:03] Ekolu Lindsey: that's established out there. And through the Hawaiian lands, utilizing the kumalipo, which is our creation chant. Line number 15 talks about the first form of life as the coral power. That makes corals the foundation of life.

[00:27:18] We can't take care of those corals. What will life be like? You know, we won't see the degradation happen in our lifetime, but a couple of generations from now, you're definitely going to see those impacts. So it's super important that we take care of these, the coral, because if the fish don't have any place to hide or have a house, they're open to predation by other predators.

[00:27:39] And eventually we all aspire for food sustainability, but if we can't take care of those corals,

[00:27:45] Bryan Murphy: Right.

[00:27:45] Ekolu Lindsey: So, so, you know, and, and we've had a monk seal on the reef here too. And people don't know about monk seals. So they want to get up close. So a lot of social media saw people touching them. Some people think they're dead.

[00:27:58] So they want to push them [00:28:00] back into the water when they're sleeping. So I was talking to my mom this morning, like whose fault is this? That the message is not getting out to the visitors. About our cultural resources, the corals, the fish, the dolphins, whales, turtles, all that. So I kind of came to the realization that it's I think it's government's fault for not getting this message out on the airplanes.

[00:28:24] Bryan Murphy: So that's sound like a pre, like a pre flight. Oh, hey. Yeah.

[00:28:27] Ekolu Lindsey: Half an hour before landing. Everyone's filling out cards before they get here. Right, right. Why not watch this mandatory video about how to enjoy Hawaii. Respectfully, simple things go a long way. Hey, learn how to flash the shotgun appropriately when somebody lets you in a line when you're driving.

[00:28:46] Say thank you. You know, it does a lot. So, government's failed because the messaging is not on the airplanes. We failed because it's not at the airports. It's not at the rental car agencies. It's not at the hotels. [00:29:00]

[00:29:00] Bryan Murphy: So we're kind of on the this topic of solutions. If you have a magic wand or whatever, given all the circumstances that are current, what would you see would be?

[00:29:10] An ideal future for Hawaii in regards to tourism,

[00:29:16] Ekolu Lindsey: tourism is our number one. It's our number one, that's where we get all the money from, right? Economically, tourism just ain't going away. People have talked about diversification. We've been talking about that for a long time. Diversifying to agriculture is going to take a long time to come back.

[00:29:31] That was one of the things to diversify or diversify to tech technology sector. You know, that's kind of happening, but it's going to take a long time to happen. If I had that magic wand, really, I think the solution lies in limiting the amount of people that are coming. We have to limit the seats that are coming in, but we can't do it given our current government structure.

[00:29:53] I look at what Palau has done, our nation of Palau, a small nation, they are leaders in [00:30:00] the marine protections and programs that they've come up with. You know, they have this green fee that you pay 30 bucks when you get there and you pay again when you leave. That all goes towards enforcement. And they're doing wonderful things.

[00:30:12] So small countries doing things that we cannot because we're just too big. We have too many laws, too many red tapes. So they have limited the amount of seats that are coming in. That way they can protect their natural resources when they have tours, all the people who are snorkeling are on floaties so they can't dive down and touch things.

[00:30:34] So prior to the economic explosion of tourism, Hawaii was a designation for. A lifetime trip. You saved up, it was a special place, you dressed up in your best clothes, you took the air for your flight to, to Hawaii, you got off, you got a lady, you went to your hotel and you had a wonderful time. It was a special place.

[00:30:54] Now we're competing with other markets. And things have changed substantially. How do we [00:31:00] manage tourism properly? I think it, it, it sits in a number amount of seats. That's not what Magic Wanda do, limit the amount of people that would come. Now, whenever you visit someplace, you'd like to think, you know, the cliche when in Rome do this, Romans, right?

[00:31:16] Like in Hawaii, do this. So Hawaiians. Share the time, share the spirit, share the love, share the aloha. You have to understand Kupuna Malama Kukula in order to figure out aloha, right? Full circle, yeah. Right, so with Maui Cultural Lands, these are some of the things we share with our visitors. We share that through Maulama Aina.

[00:31:38] We share that through honesty, we share that to having, holding ourselves to a level of integrity that makes people feel like, Oh, this is super cool. I want to understand more, but more importantly, I think when they take that aloha back with them, wherever they're from, they can share it in their own backyard, but also take a look at the resources that are being utilized [00:32:00] in their space.

[00:32:01] How can they make that better? What was the indigenous culture that was there before them? I had a lady that asked me, Koolu, what is Hawai'i mean? I was like, where you from? She goes, I'm from Ohio. What's Ohio mean? You know, I never thought about that. So when I looked it up, a couple of websites, and you have to be mindful of what their resources are, it just said motherland.

[00:32:24] I'm like, that's not right. It's not motherland. So, you know, it can break it down. Ha, your brand, your essence, your ha, right? Hawaii, freshwater. I didn't get what that last part of the E was. So when I finally found it, it was like a supreme being, God, right? So it's God breathed life into these waters. That's my interpretation of that.

[00:32:45] That's what Hawaii means. So what does Ohio, what does California mean? What was it called before then? What was New York's rivers called? So those are all questions we try to... Pull out or share with people by sharing what a Makai is [00:33:00] where the water go. What happened to it? You know, what are these structures that are left here?

[00:33:04] How is it integral into society at that time? So the question can be looked at in their own space and time

[00:33:13] Bryan Murphy: I love that and I think to kind of wrap up we haven't touched on it but you and I and my wife Ali when we're on Maui last and We got to go down in Honokawai Valley and that experience is something that I still reminisce on and I love to hear a little bit about what people can expect if they, you know, choose to go and volunteer because we got to experience that.

[00:33:42] But just from my personal experience, you walk down and you're going to sweat a little bit and that's part of it, right? And you're going to work. But as you walk down into this valley and, and hearing. You know, story from you and your mom, there's just [00:34:00] this awe and there's this reverence as you walk, you know, trek on this trail and in planting trees and removing some invasive plants there.

[00:34:11] You just felt a part of the land, even if we were only there for, you know, two hours or whatever. But. I just felt this sense of like, of just like worth, like I'm, I'm making a difference. Like I'm, yeah, I'm hanging out at Connapalli and probably had some of the best Mai Tais or whatever. This right here was what Maui, to me, I kind of get a little emotional about it because it was such an incredible experience for, for myself and Allie.

[00:34:37] But what can someone expect, you know, coming to volunteer?

[00:34:41] Ekolu Lindsey: Maui Cultural Alliance. Mission really is, um, to stabilize, protect, and restore Hawaiian cultural resources. That's our mission. Simple mission. Stabilize, protect, restore. Those resources include, like I said earlier, the sticks, the stones, and let's put in the people as well, right? [00:35:00]

[00:35:00] So they all have to work together. And when you enter any space, there's always protocol. Protocol is a pretty fancy word for manners, good manners. So, we always do protocol upon entering a sacred space. Sacred in this place means super important to us, you know, anyone has their own sacred spaces. My mom says she's the protocol practitioner.

[00:35:24] So to hear her voice ring out in the valley, asking permission for all of us to enter and enter safely, sets the foundation for the rest of the day. So as we walk in, you are literally walking in the footsteps of the ancestors because that's the trail that was utilized to access the valley. And, you know, the work that we do there is simple work, it is hard at times, you know, it's why we only work for about 90 minutes at that seems to be most people's threshold.

[00:35:53] If people can settle 90 minutes of work and suffering for a little bit, I ask people to suffer [00:36:00] because it makes for a better story when they go home, not really suffering too bad, you know, a little hot, a little itchy, a couple of bug bites, that's about it. But what you get out of it is so much more, the wealth, the feeling of being fulfilled culturally in a culture that you have no knowledge of, but have a glimpse into that is what fills you.

[00:36:23] That's the lasting impression you leave. But you know, a lot of people come to Hawaii for the paradise, the fun and sun, the fun, the sun, the surf. the hula, uh, you know, you got to do all that too. And when they're in the Mai Tais and when you're done with that, come and visit us. So we can really show you what a glimpse into the past is like.

[00:36:45] So, you know, removing those invasive species along that riparian corridor, stabilizing the Hawaiian biocultural resources is an important part. of maintaining the integrity of that vahipana or that storied [00:37:00] space. Now that was a whole lot of words and a lot of big stuff. You're gonna come, you're gonna pull some weeds, and you're gonna make it really nice.

[00:37:11] But there is more meaning to that once you get in. The simple fact of getting those weeds out of the ground. Puts your, your mana, your energy into that space as well. And I think this is what people gravitate to. And then they learn about the cultural history of that place, the science and everything else and the recounting of facts that used to be.

[00:37:32] And the importance of medicinal plants, right? What plant do we use for being itchy? What plants do we use for bug bites? You know, these things all are there for us to learn. People just have to seek it out and go get it. So our volunteer days are every Saturday. We start at nine o'clock and we finish just after lunch.

[00:37:55] It's always helpful that people come dressed appropriately. Some people [00:38:00] come in shorts and a t shirt. That's fine. Just be prepared for a little more bites than normal. I like to be cover up or wear pants. Long pants and a long sleeve shirt and a definitely hat, lots of water for yourselves. Anybody can come and work with us from a three, four year old, as long as they can understand the words of do not

[00:38:19] Bryan Murphy: throw that rock.

[00:38:22] That's cool though, Paul,

[00:38:24] Ekolu Lindsey: we'd love to have those kids working with us. And as long as you're physically able to walk down a trail. Takes like six minutes to get down there, but you're gonna walk back up, might take 12. As long as you're a little physically able. We welcome anybody

[00:38:37] Bryan Murphy: who wants to participate.

[00:38:39] And how can people get connected with you, find you guys?

[00:38:42] Ekolu Lindsey: Check out our website, mawiculturallands. org Emails come directly to me, I'll send you confirmation letters, uh, what to expect. A couple of links on YouTube to take a look at, to help identify what, uh, help you understand where you're going to go, what you're going to do.

[00:38:58] That should answer most of your questions [00:39:00] that way. But in the end, just kind of go with the flow. Have a little fun, figure it out as we go, suffer a little, it might get a little itchy, but we got medicine for that stuff. We got Hawaiian medicinal plants. In the end, share the aloha, share the love and compassion for each other, for the land, the space you exist in, but also, you know, take that home and share it with your families.

[00:39:22] Yeah. The two goals I have when it, when visitors come with me, any visitor, I always have two goals, sometimes three, but I'll stick with two a goal. First of all, I have for everybody. Have fun. Gotta have fun. If you're not having fun, that's your fault.

[00:39:38] And the second goal I have learn one thing in the realm of culture, history and science. If we're going to have fun and learn one thing, a successful day, you walk away smiling, feeling good and you might taste good after that

[00:39:52] Bryan Murphy: too. Even sweeter. Yeah.

[00:39:56] Ekolu Lindsey: Yeah.

[00:39:57] Bryan Murphy: Yeah. One thing I love to just ask [00:40:00] at the end of every episode is if someone's traveling to The islands for the very first time maybe just talking about let's let's talk about food.

[00:40:09] It always goes back to food What is what is a spot on Maui that you would recommend someone

[00:40:15] Ekolu Lindsey: trying? Oh Well, let's just say they're all good. Try my lunch wagon to try a restaurant Expand your horizons try something you've never tried before and if you didn't like it try it again to make sure you didn't like it expand your your taste buds and, you know, don't be afraid to try different things.

[00:40:38] Like when people come with us, sometimes we'll have a little bit of ulu for them, that's breadfruit to try. Or we might have some taro for them to try or some poi to try, you know, try poi, but eat it the way it's supposed to be eaten. Eat it with some raw fish, some dried fish, something salty, because that poi tastes.

[00:40:55] Oh no, when you eat it properly. Now, if you just eat it by itself, and [00:41:00] it's the kind that's watered down, it doesn't taste like very much, but try the Hawaiian cuisines, the Hawaiian foods, so you get the taste for the palate that existed here. I asked one person, Uncle Mac, Poi Poi on Molokai. Uncle Mac, what's your secret to long life?

[00:41:16] You know, I always kid with him. Raw fish and poi.

[00:41:21] Bryan Murphy: Like, just hands

[00:41:22] Ekolu Lindsey: down. You gotta eat the hands down raw fish and poi. That's the secret to long life. You gotta eat that stuff. But, the simple answer is super complex because you gotta go catch the fish, you gotta know what fish you want, what tastes good, how to cook it and All the other details for that is not to mention cleaning, cutting, burping, and all that stuff.

[00:41:41] Bryan Murphy: Well, good. Ikulu, I, I, I truly appreciate you. Thank you.

[00:41:45] Ekolu Lindsey: All right. Well, Brian, thank you for the time. And I hope that this helps visitors to kind of check a few things out, learn some of the local customs, learn just basically respect when you come into Hawaii, treat it like your grandmother's house, you know, always [00:42:00] ask permission to enter, leave it nicer.

[00:42:03] Uh, then when you got there, even if it's not your trash, pick it up, put it in a rubbish can and take it with you. I really appreciate people who can do that, you know, and that's not just for the tourists, just for everybody to participate in simple, respectful things for a long way. Share that aloha, share a smile, say thank you.

[00:42:23] Don't think I'm trying to get something out of you just because I smiled and said aloha to you, right? Um, and I get that, you know, going to other countries, sometimes there's a hard sale a lot of times, you know, they want something. No, we don't want anything. We just want to share the aloha with you. And if people can break through these bubbles of, of me, my, and I.

[00:42:45] And use we and us and be encompassing of each other and sharing the honesty and the generation of life and helping each other. I think we can create a better world [00:43:00] for our grandchildren. You know, I do all this work, not for me, for my son and those who are not even here yet. And a lot of us do that, not for us, not the present, for the future.

[00:43:12] Of course, we want to make the present better, but really the work is for the future. So thank you, Brian, for having me on. I appreciate the time you've given me and the opportunity. opportunity to share some simple

[00:43:22] Bryan Murphy: thoughts. Absolutely. Thank you.

[00:43:24] Ekolu Lindsey: Aloha.

[00:43:25] Bryan Murphy: All right. I just want to thank Ecolu again for his time and if you're interested in volunteering at Naui Cultural Lands, go to nauiculturallands.

[00:43:38] org. Org and you can connect with Ecolo there and find out more information about when and how to volunteer. Typically every Saturday they work on the land and you get to learn some of the culture values and history of That place. And like I mentioned briefly in the episode, my wife and I, we got to experience this.

[00:43:59] It was an [00:44:00] incredible experience and I want that for all of you. So consider that if you're not planning on traveling to Maui, there's other resources out there to consider. One of them is travel to change. org. That's travel the number to change. org. And you'll be able to find some resources over there too.

[00:44:19] But again, thank you so much for making it this far into the episode. And if you have, I want to encourage you to leave a honest rating review that just helps other people who love Hawaii and can't wait to give back to the islands as much as you. So until next time, friends, which is going to be tomorrow, if you're listening to this on Thursday, going to release another episode tomorrow on Friday.

[00:44:42] talking about mayday with our unofficial cultural practitioner kaha nui solitorio so stay tuned for that subscribe be well and until then aloha

[00:44:56] Announcement: mahalo for listening to this episode of hawaii's [00:45:00] best if you are enjoying the podcast please take a moment to leave a review on apple and a rating on spotify to stay up to date on future episodes please subscribe and visit us at hawaii's best travel. com Until

[00:45:16] next time, a hui

[00:45:18] hou.

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How To Begin Your Maui Volunteering Journey

Posted by Wendy Stebbins | Jul 23, 2019 | Blog , GetConnected Tips & Tricks , Volunteer | 0 |

Get Involved in Your Community

It is just a few simple steps to make a big impact giving back to your Maui Community. If your company wants to get involved to boost employee morale – HandsOn Maui is for you! If you recently moved to the Valley Isle and you want to get out and meet your new neighbors – HandsOn Maui is for you! If you are retired and looking for a meaningful way to spend your time – HandsOn Maui is for you, too. There are so many reasons people choose to volunteer, and HandsOn Maui is you go-to resource for every one of Maui’s volunteer needs.

Volunteering on Maui – Step One

The first step to beginning your volunteering journey is enrolling in an account with HandsOnMaui.com. This account gives you access to opportunities from organizations and nonprofits all over the island. One of the many benefits of signing up is a printable volunteering resume. Impress potential hiring managers with your long list of skills and community awareness. A time tracking option is available to members of our team as well! 

Volunteering on Maui – Step Two

Next, in your search for amazing volunteering options, take a look at HandsOn Maui’s comprehensive  list here. In this list you will find nonprofits such as Haleakala National Park. This organization is always l ooking for large groups to help with park beautification. These kinds of requests are perfect for your company outing! Build strong community ties and make new friends when volunteering at East Maui Animal Refuge .  It’s a guarantee, you will feel like a local in no time by taking care of kitties and critters. Our dedicated retiree team members will appreciate the laid-back opportunities available as well. Learn a bit of Maui history and “talk story” with visitors at the Alexander and Baldwin Sugar Museum as a gift shop sales associate. The possibilities are almost endless and the options only keep growing.  You could explore the oceans, the countryside, the mountains, the city or the shore. Don’t worry, there are plenty of opportunities found in the air-conditioning, too. 

Volunteering on Maui – Step Three

Finally, you are ready for step three (and being the best volunteer on Maui!) It’s simple – sign up for one or one hundred exciting volunteering sessions and have a blast! Make sure you are open to new possibilities and maybe sign up for callings outside of your comfort zone. Giving back to your community creates a positive environment for you and everyone you come into contact with in the future. The organization you help will be grateful and have more success in their endeavors and, who knows, others might be inspired to volunteer after seeing your example! 

Mahalo Nui Loa for considering volunteering

Many of these organizations function on a strict budget and have little time or money to spare. These agencies’ purpose is to better the community, and to think, you could be an essential part of that mission. If you do not see an opportunity that peaks your interest just yet, you will soon. Enrolling with HandsOn Maui means you will get updates on all new volunteer agency needs. You can always reach out to us with new and inspiring ideas as well!

HandsOn Maui is The County of Maui’s one and only resource for connecting organizations and agencies to caring community members wanting to volunteer their time. The HandsOn Network is the volunteer-focused arm of the Points of Light Institute. The vision of the Maui County Volunteer Center is that everyone in Maui County can contribute to and gain from volunteerism to meet community needs and build community vibrancy. 

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We have volunteer needs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays—every single week!

Our pop-up outreach provides free laundry service, private hot showers, hygiene and first aid items, clothing, connections to other resources such as food, shelter, medical insurance and medical appointments, detox and rehab, ID replacement, etc. This access to physical, spiritual, and emotional resources provides a support system for struggling Maui families & individuals.

While our guests are waiting for their clothes to be washed and dried, we have an hour of opportunity to build relationships and learn more about their emotional, physical and spiritual needs.

This is where you come in as a volunteer!

Learn more by viewing our available opportunities and signing up via our Hands On Maui page.

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Volunteer Environmental Tourism on Maui: Beach and Valley Clean-Up Programs

Petyr Beck has been on  Maui  for a day, but he’s still not hanging out at the beach or relaxing under a palm tree.

Instead, he’s a mile or so from the coast, knee-deep in dry grass, hacking away at invasive trees in the hot sun of the Olowalu Valley. He slides a small saw back and forth several times, grabs a loose trunk of a haole koa tree and tosses it into a pile by the side of a dirt road. Then it’s on the next one.

Beck is one of several volunteers who’ve showed up in the valley on a fine February morning to help a group called  Kipuka Olowalu  help transform this slice of  Maui  into something more like its native state.

It’s hard work, made tougher by a blazing sun, but most have brought water and snacks, and nobody seems to mind the work.

Beck tells me he just got in the day before and is visiting his old buddy from Washington state, Erik Giesa.

“I was talking with him last night and asked what was up for today,” Beck told me. “He said, ‘I can’t be with you tomorrow morning as I’m volunteering.’ I thought, ‘Why not come along?’”

“We do get tourists helping out,” said Lizzy Gibson, a transplanted Vermont resident who serves as a field technician and artist for Kipuka Olowalu. “The great thing about it is that, by default, they’re going to be the better tourists because they’re choosing to help.”

Kipuka Olowalu (Kipuka means an area of land surrounded by younger lava flows, while Olowalu is the name of a deep valley south of Lahaina) has been working hard to get rid of invasive species in the valley.

A spokesperson told me that they recently re opened following the Lahaina fires and are doing their usual Wednesday and Thursday work from 7:30-11:30 a.m. They’re thinking of a once-a-month Sunday shift.

The Olowalu Valley on Maui, Hawaii. JIM BYERS PHOTO

Ua Aloha Maji, a Hawaiian cultural practitioner and supervisor for Kipuka Olowalu, said the area of Olowalu that’s being revitalized was used for cattle grazing for years, which did a great deal of damage to the land.

Maji shows off various fruits trees and flowering shrubs that have been planted in the valley in the past few years. One of the prettiest is a crown flower, known in Hawaiian as puakalaunu. It’s often used to make flower leis, and Maji explains it was a particularly favourite of Queen Lili’uokalani (who penned the song, Aloha Oe.)

I pause to take a photo of some beautiful, small berries on an Akia plant, which has neurotoxic oils that can be used to stun fish. Hawaiians found that if they collected the roots, trunk, branches, leaves, fruit and flowers and smashed them up, they could use the mash to saturate coconut fibers. The fibers could then be dropped into tidal pools to knock the fish out cold.

The gardens also contain sweet plantains and puffy white noni fruit, which have a distinctly funky smell when ripe but have been used as a healing agent for centuries by Hawaiians and Polynesians.

Clearing invasive kiawe trees in the Olowalu area of Maui, Hawaii. JIM BYERS PHOTO

HIKE TO A LOVELY STREAM

A few workers hack their way through a dense thicket of haole koa and find a nice path that leads to a lovely pool of water in the stream that runs through the valley.

With our work for the morning finished, Maji takes me upstream for a short walk in the valley, which has towering, jagged peaks clad in soft shades of green. We spot some Mud Dauber Wasps, which build nests out of mud, and a meadow that’s home to an ancient stone heiau or temple. The heiau is mostly covered by a monkeypod tree, which gives it a bit of a mysterious, Indiana Jones feel.

Another morning I find myself on the opposite side of the West  Maui  mountains, where the Hawai’i Wildlife Fund is leading a clean-up effort on Ka’Ehu Beach, a black stone beach just outside of Wailuku.

The Hawai’i Wildlife Fund is one of the groups that takes part in the  Malama Hawai’i   program, which links visitors to the state with local charities or environmental groups to care for these beautiful islands. Participants who sign up with select hotels and do volunteer work can get a fourth or fifth night free. Some hotels also offer free breakfasts to those who lend a hand.

On  Maui , both the Ritz Carlton Kapalua and the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea are part of the program, as are many others. Kauai, Oahu and Hawai’i Big Island also have hotels that participate.

“The Malama Hawai’i program currently has more than 100 total partners statewide with 14 partners” on  Maui , says Leanne Pletcher, director of public relations for the  Maui  Visitors Bureau.

A BEACH CLEAN-UP DAY

Cleaning up a beach in Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii. JIM BYERS PHOTO

On my beach clean-up morning I’m joined by a disparate group of volunteers. Noelani Lee is a former Molokai resident and activist who now has a plot of land on  Maui  and is here with her two boys. Jerry and Esther Rice are from Illinois but come to  Maui  for part of the winter. Danyel Erickson and her husband, Jonathan Rodriguez, live on nearby Lana’i and manage a community called Plastic Pickers in Paradise.

Lee isn’t a big fan of modern tourism, but says the Malama Hawai’i program is a good way for visitors to get their hands dirty or mix with locals and learn about the islands.

Hannah Bernard, executive director of the Hawai’i Wildlife Fund, says she loves the Malami Hawai’i program and that her group features the volunteer work in nine of the video stories at their Hawai’i Wildlife  Discovery Center  at the Whalers Village Shopping Center at Ka’anapali Beach.

“What I love about the videos is that they feature us real people who really do malama Hawai’i. Plus just saying those words and defining them, words like malama and aina (“the land”) and aloha and more, are bathing the listener in concepts that reach the heart and can move mountains.”

WHERE TO STAY

The Wailea Beach Resort, Maui, Hawaii. JIM BYERS PHOTO

The Outrigger Ka’anapali Beach Resort is consistently voted one of the most Hawaiian hotels in the islands. They’re not part of Malama Hawaii but they’ve run extensive Hawaiian cultural programs for decades.

The Fairmont Kea Lani , which is part of Malama Hawaii, has large suites, a beautiful swimming pool and a great beach.

The Napili Kai Beach Resort also is not part of Malama Hawaii, but they, too, have extensive Hawaiian cultural programs and support beach clean-ups and other environmental initiatives.

The Ritz Carlton Maui, Kapalua takes part in the Malama Hawaii program and has had a Hawaiian cultural practitioner on site for many years. It’s a quiet spot on West Maui  with luxurious rooms and tremendous food.

The Wailea Beach Resort by Marriott also takes part in the program. It’s a lovely property that’s great for the whole family. They also put on a fine luau with good food, music and wonderful dancing.

WHERE TO EAT

Mama’s Fish House, Maui, Hawai’i. JIM BYERS PHOTO

The Sea House at Napili Kai Beach Resort has a great bar overlooking the beach and excellent seafood.

Located at the Fairmont Kea Lani hotel, Nick’s Fishmarket restaurant has a romantic setting and wonderful, fresh seafood.

Merriman’s Kapalua offers tremendous cocktails and a patio with some of  Maui ’s best sunset views.

In the fun and funky town of Paia, The Paia Fish Market serves up good fish tacos, quesadillas, mahi mahi and more. 

Maybe the best food on the island is at Mama’s Fish House in Paia, a romantic spot on the water with the freshest seafood anywhere.

Tagged as: best hotels on Maui , best restaurants on Maui , food , giving back , is it okay to visit Maui , is it safe to visit Maui , Kaanapali , Napili , restaurants. , visiting Maui , volunteer tourism , volunteer work , volunteering on Maui , Wailea

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Conservation Volunteer Opportunities on Maui

Island-Wide

Volunteer, intern, and job opportunity board for across the Hawaiian Islands - Hawai’i Conservation Alliance - www.conservationconnections.org

Report invasive species - Maui Invasive Species Committee - www.643pest.org

Volunteering on Vacation program - community service by Pacific Whale Foundation - www.volunteersonvacation.org

Education and hike opportunities - Sierra Club of Hawai’i Maui Group - www.mauisierraclub.org/volunteer/

Protecting the ocean by reducing land-based sources of pollution through personal and community action - West Maui Kumuwai - http://westmauikumuwai.org/

Upcountry/East Maui

Planting on the Leeward Haleakalā - Auwahi Forest Restoration Project - www.auwahi.org

Restoration, invasive species control in Haleakalā National Park - Friends of Haleakalā - www.fhnp.org

Forest restoration, seed collection, data entry, gear repair - Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project - www.mauiforestbirds.or g

Controlling invasive ginger in Waikamoi Preserve - The Nature Conservancy of Hawaiʻi - www.nature.org or email [email protected]

Project Mālama Honokowai - Maui Cultural Lands - www.mauiculturallands.org/project-malama-honokowai

Native plant restoration - Puʻu Kukui Watershed Preserve - www.puukukui.org

Waiheʻe Ridge invasive Strawberry Guava Removal - Mauna Kahālawai Watershed Partnership - https://www.maunakahalawai.org

Restoration and public outreach - ‘Āhihi Kīna‘u Natural Area Reserve - www.facebook.com/FriendsOfAhihiKinau

Coastal restoration at Waihe’e Dunes - Hawaiian Islands Land Trust - www.hilt.org/join-us/volunteer/

Sea turtle and Hawaiian monk seal monitoring - Hawai’i Wildlife Fund - www.wildhawaii.org/volunteer.html

Community work days at Kihei Boat Ramp - Kaho’olawe Island Reserve Commission - www.kahoolawe.hawaii.gov/volunteer.shtm l

Wetland restoration and sea turtle monitoring - Kealia Ponds National Wildlife Refuge - www.fws.gov/refuge/Kealia_Pond/what_we_do/get_involved.html

Community/beach cleanups - Mālama Maui Nui - www.malamamauinui.org

Report fallen seabirds and monitor seabirds - Maui nui Seabird Recovery Project - www.mauinuiseabirds.org

Monk seal monitoring - NOAA Fisheries - http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/PRD/prd_volunteer_opps.html

Kihei coast restoration - South Maui Volunteer Group - www.southmauivolunteers.com

Coastal clean-ups - Surfrider Foundation Maui - maui.surfrider.org

Wednesday’s Weed and Pot Club - Maui Nui Botanical Gardens - www.mnbg.org

Preserving and restoring native Hawaiian plants - Native Hawaiian Plant Society - www.nativehawaiianplantsociety.org

Maui Travel Updates

Voluntourism

Opportunities exist across the state for both residents and visitors to participate in voluntourism. Voluntourism is tourism related to travel to participate in voluntary work in the community where one is vacationing, typically for a charity or cause.  Organizations that HTA has supported in the past include: Travel2Change , Malama Loko Ea Foundation , Pohaha I Ka Lani , Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii and Pacific Whale Foundation . As Hawaii moves into the direction of regenerative tourism, voluntourism will play an increased role towards this effort. 

HTA would like to support more voluntourism activities. Here is a Visitor Readiness Checklist for a Voluntourism Program to help guide your efforts in creating a safe and welcoming experience for your voluntourism activity.  

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Mālama Hawai‘i Dashboard connects visitors with volunteer opportunities and nonprofits

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) has partnered with Kanu Hawai‘i to make it easier for visitors to search and sign up for enriching volunteer opportunities throughout the state. Travelers planning their trips in the Hawaiian Islands can now access the Mālama Hawai‘i Volunteer Dashboard at  GoHawaii.com/malama , the state’s official website for visitors.

From restoring Hawaiian fishponds, to beach cleanups, to sorting food donations at food banks, the Mālama Hawai‘i dashboard displays numerous volunteer opportunities for visitors. Activities can be sorted by date, activity type, cause and good for.

“Travelers are seeking a deeper, meaningful experience, and what makes the Hawaiian Islands unlike anywhere else in the world is our people, multi-cultural heritage, and reciprocal connection with the land and ocean,” said Mufi Hannemann, HTA board chair.

Visitors can sign up by submitting an RSVP, which generates an email to the partner who will respond with further information. Visitors can also provide monetary donations directly to the nonprofit organizations if they choose to. Opportunities to support Maui in its recovery following the August 2023 wildfires are also featured on the website.

“HTA’s partnership with Kanu Hawai‘i in developing the Mālama Hawai‘i dashboard is an example of regenerative tourism development benefiting our community,” said Daniel Nāho‘opi‘i, HTA’s interim president and CEO. “By integrating Kanu Hawai‘i’s system and their network of nonprofit organizations throughout the state, we are seamlessly connecting visitors with even more opportunities to improve our home for future generations.”

A custom reporting dashboard has also been designed to track key metrics statewide and by island, including the number of volunteers who sign up and the number of service hours provided. This feature is intended to minimize the burden on organization and community groups to collect and report the information.

“We need to invest more in quantifiable actions that will inform whether we are making a difference when it comes to responsible and regenerative tourism,” said Keone Kealoha, executive director of Kanu Hawaiʻi. “Creating a clear pathway for visitors to ‘actionize’ the Mālama Hawaiʻi message through volunteering is one way we can do that. Not only is it a positive giveback to Hawaiʻi, it’s an experience that many will say was the highlight of their visit.”

Throughout April, HTA is also supporting Volunteer Month organized by Kanu Hawai‘i as part of HTA’s 2024 Community Enrichment program, which supports experiences that are developed by the community, for the community, and are things the community wants to share with visitors. The statewide, cross-sector campaign brings together residents, visitors, nonprofits, businesses, schools, and government agencies in a concerted effort to take grassroots action that serves Hawai‘i’s communities.

HTA and its Hawai‘i Tourism USA team launched the Mālama Hawai‘i program in 2020 during the pandemic. Since then, the private-public partnership program has grown to include 36 organizations throughout the state. Participating organizations featured on the dashboard have completed HTA’s Visitor Readiness Checklist, ensuring they have the resources and capacity for visitors to participate alongside residents.

To learn more about the Mālama Hawai‘i program, visit  GoHawaii.com/malama . Organizations interested in participating should email  [email protected]  for more information.

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Getting More out of Maui: Volunteering and Giving Back

It doesn’t take long to realize there is something special about Hawaii. I was trying to explain it to a friend recently, to put in to words why my love for these islands runs so deep. Yes, Hawaii has beautiful beaches and lush mountains and fabulous opportunities for adventure, but it has something more. The people haven’t let their islands be converted into glorified cruise ship terminals. From the moment you step off the plane, there is this tangible sense of culture, and pride in that culture, and connection with the history and the land — and yes, that infamous spirit of aloha. You know that quote from Gertrude Stein, about a sense of place? “The trouble with Oakland is that when you get there, there isn’t any there there.” In Hawaii, there is so much there there.

This is my final dispatch from my most recent trip to Maui, and I think I saved the best for last. Because what I loved about these two experiences is that they bring you beyond the rainbows and the palm trees. In some places, you have to fight to find that deeper level. In Maui, these two organizations have made it easy for you — and they are waiting with open arms.

Respecting History with Maui Nei Cultural Tours

Today, it’s easy to see Lahaina as Maui’s charming waterfront epicenter of tourism, a laid-back former whaling town where shave ice and sunset sailing tours are available on every corner. Maui Nei Native Expeditions wants to show you another side. Their two-hour tours guided by a native Hawaiian aim to cultivate awareness of the culture through education and preservation.

Our tour began with a beautiful ancient Hawaiian chant by our guide at the steps of the Lahaina Heritage Museum. I received a nod of approval when I complimented his tribal tattoos and mentioned the exhibit I’d attended on them at the Honolulu Museum of Art the year before. He was dryly cynical and harshly critical of those who have threatened Hawaii’s cultural heritage, and I warmed to him immediately. We meandered through the museum as our guide interjected his colorful commentary along the way, and I wondered how I’d missed all this on my previous visit to Lahaina.

As we made our way out of the museum and into Banyan Tree Park, the topic of the Hawaii  sovereignty movement came up. Suspecting the answer, I asked our guide if he supported the efforts. “That depends,” he replied slyly. “Who’s asking?”

We strolled through Lahaina, and saw the town through new eyes. A slab of cement became a large lo‘i kalo, or taro patch, used by the monarchy. A rock in the harbor became the Hauola Stone, a birthing site for the highest ranking and most sacred chiefesses, considered descendants of the deities. (Best crack of the day came from Jen as we stared down at the very, um, firm looking birthing rock: “And where was the epidural administered?” )

And then we went for pineapples.

The last stop was the heart of the Maui Nei tour. Towards the East side of Lahaina, we were led onto what appeared to be a very scenically located overflow parking lot. But like most of the gems we had been walking past all along, it was something so much more: this was Moku’ula, former home of Maui’s great chiefs and former royal residence of the Kingdom of Hawaii, and one of the islands’ most important cultural sites. It’s mind-boggling to think this site has been so overlooked.

Maui Nei and its sister organization Friends of Moku’ula want to revitalize the Moku’ula island and Mokuhinia ponds. Having seen similar cultural sites restored and preserved and enjoyed with great success on The Big Island , I was moved by their mission and sent them a donation when I returned home still thinking about it.

Spend a morning with Maui Nei — and consider contributing to their cause. You won’t regret it. In fact, you might just get fired up enough to want to get into action…

Volunteering with Maui Cultural Lands

Normally I’m quite suspicious of volunteer travel experiences. Often, they involve a potent mix paying a hefty fee and standing around feeling useless. Not so with grassroots organization Maui Cultural Lands . The organization’s mission is to stabilize, protect and restore Hawaiian cultural resources. And every Saturday they journey deep into the Honokowai Valley for a day of talking story , celebrating Hawaii’s heritage, and maintenance labor removing invasive plant species and supporting endemic ones. Anyone can join, and all they ask for is hard day’s work.

Community leader Ekolu met us and the other volunteers in a parking lot in Ka’anapali, where we caravaned up the mountain to a point of no return. From there, we jumped in the pickup truck until we reached the summit, from where we hiked down into the valley.

We were an interesting mix. Along with our group and Ekolu’s mother and brother, there was a tourist joining in for the first time, an older woman who’d transplanted to Hawaii years ago, and a local middle schooler who’d been volunteering with the organization every Saturday for more than two years.

Along the way, the more experienced volunteers stopped to point out endemic species of plants, and to fill us in on the history of the valley, which was once home to up to 600 native Hawaiian families.

Once in the valley, we got to work pulling weeds and other invaders. And of course, we never stopped talking Hawaii. “We want to teach our children to be stewards for the land,” Ekolu explained. To him and so many other native Hawaiians, it is a privilege to care for the island.

There was something therapeutic in the repetitive physical work and the chatting with the other volunteers, and I felt a tug of regret when it was time for our team to call it quits (we left early to catch our flights — normally, it’s a full day activity ending around 4pm). As I left, I promised Ekolu I’d be back. And I meant it.

Mahalo to Maui Nei and Maui Cultural Lands for the opportunity to learn about the great work their organizations are doing. And with a heavy heart I say aloha for now, Hawaii. It won’t be long till I’m back.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Many thanks to the Maui Visitors Bureau for hosting me and showing me so much aloha. As always, you receive my honest opinions regardless of who is footing the bill.

Playing Tour Guide in my Hometown

Volunteering at The Koh Tao Animal Clinic

The Odd Sensation of Returning Home

Great to know about these organizations and sad to know that your Maui posts have come to an end. Looking forward to your Tomorrowland posts now 🙂

Cheers, Rekha

Thanks Rekha! Hopefully I’ll be back in Maui soon with even more posts to share 🙂 But there is plenty more fun coming up before that!

This is the kind of tourism I love. I think it’s great to really take the time to learn about the places you’re visiting, especially in a place like Hawaii. From its land to its history to its culture, Hawaii is a seriously incredible place. Oh, and extra kudos for quoting Gertrude Stein in this post. Love it!

I love that quote, think about it all the time! Glad to hear it was appreciated 🙂

i’m realy intrigued by hawaiian history & culture. have you read the last queen’s biography, “hawaii’s story?” there’s a doc on netflix too. fascinating!

Ooooo no, I haven’t but I just added it to my must read list! I reread the history section of my guidebook over and over on my first trip… it’s fascinating!

I love would love to do this! Definitely on my list for my trip to Hawaii next summer. If I had a US passport I would be moving to Hawaii in a second 🙂

I definitely have a feeling I might call Hawaii home someday! If so I’d love to get more involved with these organizations.

Whilst I’ve never been to Hawaii I love the way you open this article and how it fits into my perception of the islands.

I always get the view that Hawaii is almost like another country, or that is how I imagine it. Very different from the mainland, it’s own people, culture and way of doing things so very distinctly Hawaiian and not American.

Yes, Hawaii is very much its own! Glad I captured your impression of Hawaii well. And I hope you go see if it’s accurate for yourself soon 🙂

I love reading about travel bloggers volunteering, I think everyone should volunteer more often as it really can make a difference. Great post and pictures, Maui is beautiful. Glad to hear you helped keep it that way 🙂

I’m usually extremely cautious about voluntourism experiences…. but this one I felt great about. I really hope others check these organizations out when they are in Hawaii!

What a special experience! To know you’re really diving into and contributing to that genuine, distinctive Hawaiin culture must have felt amazing — especially since it’s a place already so dear to you. It reminds me a bit of a volunteering adventure I did in Thailand — one of my most memorable days spent on the trip. Inspires me to plan on seeking out more volunteer experiences in future travels.

It’s so hard to find an authentic way to learn and to give back when you travel, I really cherish examples like these. It’s a good reminder to me to seek them out as well!

I feel the same way you do about voluntourism, but this seems like a great experience and a worthwhile organization. I can’t believe how beautiful Hawaii looks. I’ve never had much of a desire to go, but now I’ll have to add it to my list!

That’s what I love to hear, Kendra!

I’ve possibly mentioned this in a previous comment but my BF has been going to Maui for years and I think he totally would get that deep love you’re trying to describe. He’s been trying to explain it to me in anticipation of our trip. I guess I’ll just have to experience it for myself!

Thanks for writing this post – you’ve honestly really opened my eyes about Maui. I don’t think that I ever anticipated so much culture and history, probably because it’s easy to get caught up in the touristy things. I’m going to make a point to learn as much as I can while I’m there 🙂

That’s a huge compliment Sara, thank you! I was once a Hawaii skeptic myself so I love turning people on to the idea that it can be more than mega resorts and fruity drinks with paper umbrellas!

Craving for some glazed pineapples now! Haha…What a wonderful story of volunteerism you got here Alex. Hawaii is a tropical paradise, it’s lovely to hear that there are people who wholeheartedly shares their commitment to protect the culture of the land. 🙂

Thanks Cristy. I’m just excited to show people a few ways to make their trips to Maui a bit more meaningful! It’s such a special place, I want travelers to get every ounce of wonderful out of it that they can.

Hi Alex! I have really loved your Maui series. I plan to go again next year and play to try to do many of the activities you described here. It is so important to give back and hope that I will have a opportunity to do so soon!

Thanks Alexa! That is great to hear. I hope your return to Maui is as amazing as mine was!

I really hope to be able to go with Scott in the spring since we’re not doing a big international trip next year, and your photos are making me so excited!

It’s funny, I know Hawaii is technically part of the US but going there I always feel like I should need my passport. Ugh, I just love it so much!

I am so glad you got to do this and even more glad you wrote about it so others can follow in your footsteps and be more responsible tourists.

I think anyone’s trip to Maui would be richer for it!

We definitely share an affinity for all things Hawaiian… there’s no place like it! I love how even though it’s a US state, it feels like a different country entirely. Kudos to you for promoting such an awesome cause. Hawaiian culture is absolutely worth preserving!

AND Hawaii will always have the important distinction of being Where I Met Angie, of course 🙂 By the way girlfriend, your Gravatar is not showing!

Beautifully written and I truly felt what you mean as I was reading your intro about immediately feeling the culture of Hawaii. I just love places like that.

Thanks Kristin! I think you’d love Hawaii… might be time to add it to the list!

What a great volunteer experience. You have to be so careful when it comes to volunteering as I think it often causes more harm than good, but local grassroots projects like these are awesome. If I ever get to Hawaii (which I hope I will!) I’ll check the project out!

I completely agree with you Amy. And I’ve been meaning to write a post about it forever 🙂 But I think its great that groups like these are making sustainable and enriching tourism so readily available.

We love being able to contribute to local society while we travel. It’s a nice way to give back, but you’re right in saying there are programs where you shell out a substantial amount of money and stand around feeling useless. It’s great to find a program where you feel you’ve made a difference and you can get your hands dirty,…..Hawaii looks beautiful, we look forward to visiting!

Definitely check both these organizations out when you do 🙂 I think they are giving a wonderful gift to the people who work with them!

Yes, we will definitely do more research on them!

Wow, what an amazing place! It looks like those pineapples are worth the trip alone, let alone the gorgeous jungles and the interesting cultures. We’ve put Maui on the list! 🙂

I think you’d love it! Not too far from Thailand, either… 🙂

This volunteering opportunity looks great. I am not a fan of voluntourism either, but when it is done responsibly then it can be very beneficial for both the locals and the volunteer.

I think this is an example of one of the good guys! Glad you approve 🙂

Hi Alex! I love the color (vintage?) tint in all of your pictures. I don’t even know what you would call it. Is that effect after you edit the pictures, or when you take the pictures with a certain camera lends? Thanks!

Hey Karen! I don’t use any special filters on my lens, but I do tinker in Photoshop. Often I download different free Photoshop Action packs and play around with them. Not sure which I used on these photos specifically but I love to play 🙂 Hope that helps!

What a great trip you had! Hawaii is amazing! So many of my friends are inviting me to go see this amazing land. What you do is great. I am from Colorado and loving the mountains but what a great view if you have a match of the mountains and the beaches. I am so ready to see Hawaii! 🙂

It’s one of my favorite places on earth. Get there as soon as you can 🙂

Hi there Alex,

I’m glad you got to check out the Cultural Lands and I just wanted to extend a warm mahalo out to you for volunteering and spreading the word about cultural awareness. Our islands are our pride and joy and it’s always nice to see someone caring enough to take the time out of their schedule to volunteer. Props!

Best regards, Jamin

I can see why — I’d be proud to call Hawaii home too! I think this experience is one of the greatest you can have on Maui simply for the opportunity to meet such a warm family and learn so much about the island’s history and culture. I’ll be there next time I’m back for sure!

I know exactly what you mean about it being hard to put into words. Hawaii is such a special place. I arrived here 20 years ago on holiday and just couldn’t leave. It’s such a beautiful and fascinating place. Love that you are encouraging people to volunteer here!

That’s amazing — I might just find myself in the same position someday 🙂 I often fantasize about “retiring” from nomad life in Hawaii!

What an interesting experience. We travel with the kids and love the opportunity to teach them about new things from how to read a map to appreciating cultures around the world. Getting your hands dirty…figuratively and literally as in this case, is the best way to experience another culture. We have only taken the kids to the big island and would love to go back. This activity would be number one on our list!

Aw, I’d love to hear about it if you do go! Such a unique experience and one I feel kids would love!

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Crater service trip seeks volunteers

Two volunteers work on a project in Haleakula National Park. — Photo courtesy Friends of Haleakala

The Friends of Haleakalā National Park seeks National Park Service volunteers who are enthusiastic and fit for a strenuous three-night backpacking service trip into the parkʻs Wilderness Areas Saturday through Tuesday, May 25 – 28.

Participants will hike into the Crater and spend three nights in the Palikū Wilderness Ranger Cabin. They will work to promote and preserve the diverse environment and beauty of the park while collecting seeds or removing invasive plant species to protect native plants and n� “n�” habitat.

Volunteers must be physically capable of being in the outdoors (sun/ heat/ cold), and at higher elevations, walking on uneven terrain at least five miles each shift, and carrying a backpack with a sleeping bag, a share of the food, and other personal items. Safety equipment and tools will be provided by Haleakalā National Park.

To join this trip, first visit and register your readiness at the website www.fhnp.org where more information can be found about the Friends’ mission and volunteer work to preserve and protect Haleakalā National Park. For more information or a reservation for this trip, or a future trip scheduled on the website, send email to [email protected].

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7,000 Maui short-term rentals could be eliminated under new county bill

Lahaina residents got a victory this week in the passing of Senate Bill 2919 , which clarifies the counties’ authority to regulate short-term rentals. It will be signed into law by Gov. Josh Green on Friday.

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen is now proposing county legislation that would phase out vacation rentals in apartment-zoned areas.

“If successful, this legislation will support the return of approximately 7,000 transient vacation rentals (TVRs) to the local housing market and specifically 2,200 in West Maui, again, for long-term rental consideration,” he said at a joint press conference Thursday alongside grassroots community organization Lahaina Strong.

Bissen said if passed, the bill would go into effect on July 1, 2025, for West Maui and Jan. 1, 2026, for the rest of the island.

“Most, if not all, of these TVRs impacted by this session's legislation were previously built and designed for workforce housing in West Maui, and our goal is to return them to their intended purpose,” explained Bissen.

The TVRs Bissen referred to are part of what’s known as the Minatoya list. They have been operating under an exemption that grandfathered in units built before 1989 to operate as short-term rentals. The new legislation would repeal that decision, bringing more housing for residents.

Councilmember Keani Rawlins-Fernandez has championed limiting and phasing out short-term rentals for years. She said they’ve heard from lots of vacation rental owners who oppose the regulations.

“Consistently, the argument was about protecting their investment properties — their second, third, fourth, fifth home — when our residents have lost their only home,” she said, her voice filled with emotion. “And so that's what we're weighing today. We're prioritizing our residents. What good are jobs if you don't have anywhere to live?”

She explained the Minatoya list's origins began in the 1980s when offshore investors started buying condos on Maui to "capitalize on the vacation rental market," which rapidly reduced housing inventory, she said.

"In response, the council in 1989 attempted to limit STRs to the hotel zone where it should be," continued Rawlins-Fernandez. "In 1991, that council clarified the restriction on short-term rentals for all properties built after '91 that were not zoned hotel," she said.

"The Deputy Corporation Counsel Richard Minatoya co-authored an opinion negating the 1991 ordinance, providing an exemption to units built before March 4, 1991, allowing the owners to continue profiting off the units since that time. In 2015, Mayor Arakawa and the council passed a law that codified Mr. Minatoya’s opinion, that this bill today seeks to repeal," she explained.

Bissen said the county is prepared for legal pushback from short-term rental owners. But the new state law supports moving forward with action.

“We anticipated a legal battle already, and we just added one stronger point to our case by having the Legislature say that the county can regulate our short-term rentals,” he said.

Lahaina Strong has been pushing to convert short-term rentals into local housing since the August fire displaced thousands of residents and highlighted Maui’s housing crisis.

“Through our efforts with the Lahaina community and people across Hawaiʻi, we've transformed our housing crisis into a critical law,” said Paele Kiakona, one of Lahaina Strong's organizers. “Yesterday's passage of SB2919 in Hawaiʻi State Legislature is now a tool we can now put in the hands of our counties.”

Lahaina Strong said they will now be packing up their "Fishing for Housing" camp at Kāʻanapali Beach.

Organizer Jordan Ruidas talked about what it’s taken to get there.

“One hundred seventy-five days we've set up on this beach and we have fought through thick and thin, through high tides, crazy winds, torrential rains, STR owners that aren't happy about what we're standing for,” she said. “We fought through everything and this team and this community deserves this win.”

The county proposal needs to go to the planning commissions of Maui, Moloka’i and Lāna’i for community testimony and discussion, before approval by the Maui County Council.

As a first step, it is scheduled to be heard by the Maui Planning Commission on June 25.

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Mahana Re-Roofing, 2024-2025 - Maui Forum

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Mahana Re-Roofing, 2024-2025

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It was recently mentioned that the Mahana is starting a major roofing project. They are doing the Lana'i tower first, and will do the Moloka'i tower starting early next year. This is going to be LOUD, messy, and very disruptive for people at the property--no matter which tower you are in.

Do note that if you are in the tower being done, you will likely have no or limited AC, and also no hot water at times. Personally, I'd stay somewhere else, cause you are paying a lot for much less during this time. Here's a link to the project description:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f4034e13f0a0e666c99ceec/t/6608a1d3f809723ab530f5e8/1711841748667/Mahana+Lanai+Tower+Roof+Project%5B12%5D.pdf

And another for the Westside condos page with all the projects on the West side:

https://mauiwestside.com/resort-maintenance

5 replies to this topic

Sorry the first link didn't collapse. I can't use tiny url programs due to security issues. Just highlight and right click it .

Yes, Aston manages some units and the front desk there. Personally, I would not stay there until this is ALL done. Delays, weather, supplies and more could easily cause this to go longer than they plan.

Thanks for posting this! I will have to look around for another place. ☹️

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Maui officials want to phase out short-term rentals

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green signed a bill into law to give counties more authority to regulate short-term vacation rentals amid the ongoing state housing crisis and aftermath of the Maui wildfires.

Now, a day after the bill signing , local advocates from Lāhainā Strong are joining County Maui Mayor Richard Bissen to announce a new policy aimed at regulating and phasing out "thousands of transient vacation rentals that have not gone through the traditional permitting process."

The Maui wildfires in August 2023 exacerbated the island's housing crisis, burning thousands of structures and displacing thousands of residents.

Residents have long complained about the impact of tourism and luxury home and resort development on housing accessibility, as well as the lack of affordable housing and rentals for residents.

In Lahaina, 25% of the region's housing units are listed as short-term rentals, according to the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization . To the south of Lahaina, that percentage jumps to 41.8%. To the north, it jumps to 87%.

Additionally, Hawaii residents have some of the highest housing costs in the nation -- about 2.7 times higher than the national average -- according to the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization.

In Maui Thursday, Mayor Bissen announced that he directed the Planning Commissions to consider phasing out and prohibiting the use of transient vacation rentals in the Apartment District, which allows condos, apartments and planned developments that are not hotels to operate as short-term rentals without any state or county permit.

"This was won through the struggle of our grassroots movement, which put the opportunity and need to tackle our Maui vacation rental crisis into the dialogue through relentless advocacy, public education, community organizing — and even a 174-day and counting sustained occupation of Kā‘anapali Beach," said Jordan Ruidas, founder and campaigns coordinator of Lāhainā Strong.

"Now, we call on the Maui County Planning Commissions and County Council to swiftly join us in action to ensure dignified housing for fire survivors and return our communities to local people."

36 Hours on Maui

By Shannon Wianecki April 25, 2024

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By Shannon Wianecki Photographs by Michelle Mishina Kunz

Shannon Wianecki grew up in Hawaii and writes about the islands regularly.

Maui is the Goldilocks island: It is neither too big nor too small, and for its three million annual visitors, its perfect year-round temperature, rainbow-splashed volcanic summits and sugary beaches are just right. But last August, Maui’s equilibrium met disaster. Catastrophic wildfires reduced the historic town of Lahaina to ash, claiming more than 100 lives . Conflicting messages urged visitors to stay away and let the island heal, but also to come and help sustain the economy. Eight months later, the message is more unified that Maui is ready to greet tourists again. Housing remains a critical need for displaced residents. Lahaina will take years to rebuild. But Maui’s inherent beauty and hospitality remain as vibrant as ever. It’s a great time to explore Central and South Maui, where new cocktail bars, outrigger canoe tours and Indigenous art exhibits reveal the community’s creativity and resilience.

Recommendations

• The 10,000-foot summit of Haleakalā National Park (pronounced with an emphasis on “la”) has a view of the rising sun, volcanic vistas and some of the planet’s rarest plants and birds.
• The Hale Hō‘ike‘ike museum showcases Hawaiian artwork, carved deities and a redwood plank surfboard owned by the legendary swimmer and surfer Duke Kahanamoku.
• Balai Pata is a new restaurant that celebrates Filipino flavors with savory soups, desserts big enough for two and monthly karaoke nights.
• The Wailea Beach Path meanders along South Maui’s photogenic coast between posh resorts and the deep blue Pacific.
• The hiking trails at ‘Īao Valley State Monument (pronounced EE-ow) penetrate the lush West Maui Mountains, winding past waterfalls and taro patches.
• Enormous murals by Small Town Big Art , a public art project, in colorful and historic Wailuku town, are worth taking a stroll to see, and they’re navigable by an online map.
• Blue Water Rafting ’s exhilarating tours of the Kanaio Coast explore hidden coves, sea caves and charismatic marine life.
• Ho‘okipa Beach Park , one of the world’s top surf spots, is also a great place to spy on napping sea turtles.
• Oao Sushi Bar & Grill offers beautifully prepared Japanese fare, such as inventive sushi rolls and purple-yam pot de crème, in a Wailea shopping center.
• Tikehau Lounge serves seasonal craft cocktails made with local spirits and garnished with tiny katana swords and surfboards.
• Kaohu Store is a mom-and-pop grocery that produces the island’s best poke, raw fish mixed with traditional seasonings such as ground kukui nuts and seaweed.
• Tails Up Maui , a partnership between a local chef and a fisherman, serves excellent fish sandwiches and chicken plates.
• Wailuku Coffee Co. is the place to stop for Maui-grown coffee or espresso while exploring Wailuku.
• Esters Fair Prospect , a charming tropical bar on Wailuku’s Main Street, serves daiquiris made with a choice of three dozen rums and appetizers featuring fresh marlin.
• Mama’s Fish House , a celebrated restaurant on a secluded lagoon, lists the names of the fishermen who caught the snapper and octopus on its menu.
• On Saturday mornings, the Upcountry Farmers Market is a miniature street fair with live music and vendors offering a bounty of Maui-grown produce and prepared foods.
• ‘Oko‘a Farm Store sells a cornucopia of organic tropical fruits and vegetables in fresh, dried and powdered form.
• T. Komoda Store and Bakery , which has served the Maui community for more than a century, sells out of its cream puffs and butter rolls daily.
• Sabado Art Gallery is where the local artist Philip Sabado paints, teaches workshops and sells his color-saturated impressions of Maui landscapes and hula dancers.
• Native Intelligence offers a wealth of Hawaiian art and fashion: Locals come here for Aloha shirts and sarongs, fine jewelry and fresh flower leis.
• Four Seasons Resort Maui sets the standard for service with poolside spritzes, immaculate housekeeping and a terrific complimentary kids’ camp. Guests can book spa treatments in oceanfront huts and outrigger canoe excursions that launch from the resort’s adjoining beach. Rooms start at $1,095 a night.
• Hotel Wailea is an adults-only boutique hotel on a hill overlooking South Maui. While not directly on the beach, it’s only a short shuttle ride away. Elegant suites are spacious (750 square feet with kitchenettes) and the Birdcage lounge is a prime spot for toasting the sunset. Rooms start at $799.
• Maui Kamaole is a condo complex across the street from Kama‘ole Beach Park III, between Wailea and Kihei on Maui’s south shore. One- and two-bedroom units feature full kitchens, laundry facilities and lush landscaping. Rooms start at $500.
• Since the recent fire intensified the housing shortage, visitors should avoid short-term rentals in residential areas. Instead, book hotels that offer in-room kitchens, such as Fairmont Kea Lani or Mana Kai Maui .
• The best way to explore the island is by car . The major rental companies each have kiosks at Kahului Airport. Taxis and ride-hailing services are available, but long distances between destinations make this an expensive option. Maui’s public transit is limited. The Maui Bus operates 12 routes, including two that stop at the airport. One-way fares cost $2; day passes are $4.

Wailea Beach Path

The Wailea Beach Path , which meanders along the island’s southern coast, reflects Maui’s almost contradictory personas: On one side, opulent resorts flaunt swim-up bars and nightly torch-lighting ceremonies. A subtler drama unfolds on the opposite side, where native flora like honey-scented naio bushes, spiky hala trees and hibiscus blossoms flourish along the rocky shoreline. Sit and listen to the sea rush through the lava rocks as the sun drops between three islands: Lanai, Kahoolawe and tiny Molokini. In the 1970s, nine Native Hawaiians occupied Kahoolawe in defiance of the U.S. military, which had been using the island as a bombing range for decades. Their daring protest sparked what is now known as the Hawaiian Renaissance — a revival of Indigenous culture that continues today.

Head to Oao Sushi Bar & Grill in the Wailea area for beautifully prepared Japanese fare. The owner and head chef, J.R. Oao, sharpened his knife at Maui’s best sushi bars (including a stint at Nobu Lana‘i) before opening his first brick-and-mortar restaurant last year (he also has a food truck in Kihei, a few miles north). His signature rolls are balanced and inventive: Try the baked California roll ($22), served hot and loaded with shrimp and scallops. Juicy seared lamb chops rest on a smear of umami-rich red miso ($42). Even the salads impress — bright cilantro vinaigrette with a hint of horseradish enlivens a simple mix of Maui-grown greens, roasted corn and goat cheese ($16). For dessert, the ube pot de crème ($14), made from purple yam, is luscious, light and almost cartoonishly bright.

The name of Tikehau , a new lounge in Wailea, means “peaceful landing.” The bar, which opened in November and is quietly raising the standard for craft cocktails statewide, was true to its name for Mari Howe, its manager, and other staff who came to work here after losing jobs or homes to the Lahaina fire. Everything is thoughtfully selected, from the gold-leaf wallpaper to the crystal stemware. Garnishes are coveted souvenirs; a tiny surfboard floats atop the Thousand Peaks ($19) — a lagoon-blue Paloma topped with jasmine-tea “sea foam.” The Hawaiian Samurai ($50), a top-shelf-whiskey libation, comes with a miniature katana sword. Ms. Howe’s seasonal menu incorporates local spirits and mixers: fresh pineapple juice, Kō Hana rum and okolehao, a moonshine made from Hawaiian ti plants. Upscale snacks include poisson cru, a raw-fish dish ($25), and smoked taro hummus ($15).

Explore the rugged Kanaio Coast’s hidden coves and sea caves with a rafting tour.

This morning mission requires preparation. First, book a sunrise reservation at Haleakalā National Park well in advance ($1 permit, $30 park entrance). Then pack really warm clothes. In the darkness, drive slowly up the 10,000-foot volcano; fog often obscures cattle and native geese loitering in hairpin turns. Your efforts will be rewarded at the peak — first by the velvet sky awash with stars, then by the sun’s rays spilling across the fire-forged mountain. Notice how the silverswords (hedgehog-like plants that grow only here) sparkle in the golden light. As you descend, stop at Hosmer Grove , where a short hike leads to a forest full of Hawaiian honeycreepers , birds that are among some of the planet’s rarest.

Midway down Haleakalā, stop at the Upcountry Farmers Market . Every Saturday morning, the Kulamalu Town Center parking lot turns into a miniature street fair with live music and vendors offering a dizzying array of Maui-grown produce and prepared foods. You’ll find things to eat immediately — fresh coconut, vegan sweet-potato cheesecake and Venezuelan arepas — as well as things to stash in your suitcase, like passion-fruit butter and macadamia nuts. Don’t miss the ‘Oko‘a Farm Store , which migrated from the market into an adjacent storefront. The store’s 46-acre farm supplies a cornucopia of tropical fruits and vegetables; its shelves teem with jars of pickled, powdered, and freeze-dried treats and tonics.

Baldwin Avenue

Take the scenic drive back to sea level through historic Makawao and Paia towns. Bordered by a rodeo arena and a polo field , Makawao is the charming headquarters of the paniolo, Hawaiian cowboys who continue to rope and ride across the island’s lush ranchlands. On the corner of Makawao and Baldwin Avenues you’ll see T. Komoda Store and Bakery ; this beloved family-run business, which has served the community since 1916, sells out of its cream puffs and butter rolls daily. Follow Baldwin past the defunct sugar mill to Paia. Once a busy sugar plantation hub surrounded by green cane fields, it’s now home to surfers and artists. As you pass Baldwin Beach, admire the view of the rain-carved West Maui Mountains. The morning light often reveals the hidden interior of ‘Īao Valley, your next destination.

Wailuku River

Head to Kaohu Store in Wailuku for lunch to go. This mom-and-pop grocery offers the island’s best poke — raw fish mixed with traditional seasonings such as ground kukui nuts and seaweed (from $18 a pound). Add two scoops of rice and crunchy fern salad for a truly local meal. If you prefer a cooked lunch, visit Tails Up Maui for a classy fish sandwich ($19) or mochiko (rice flour) fried chicken ($17). Take your picnic to Kepaniwai Park , where model houses commemorate the diverse cultures of Hawaii’s sugar plantation era, and dip your feet into the Wailuku River. Continue to ‘ Īao Valley State Monument (out-of-state visitors need reservations; $5 entrance fee, $10 parking). Paved walkways wind through a traditional lo‘i kalo (taro patch), past multiple waterfalls and up to a stunning lookout.

Peruse the art and artifacts at Hale Hō‘ike‘ike , a captivating repository of Hawaiian culture in the former home of the missionary-artist Edward Bailey. Exhibits showcase Hawaiian feather work and quilts, carved deities, and paintings depicting 19th-century Maui. Imagine trying to paddle the legendary swimmer and surfer Duke Kahanamoku’s redwood plank surfboard into the waves (entry, $10). From there, stroll through Wailuku, Maui’s somewhat sleepy seat of local government. Narrow side streets yield many treasures: See enormous street murals (use the online map by Small Town Big Art , a public art project), admire the color-saturated paintings at Sabado Art Gallery and find refreshment at Wailuku Coffee Co. or Esters Fair Prospect , a cocktail bar. After shopping for Hawaiian books and clothing at Native Intelligence , buy yourself a fragrant flower lei to wear for the duration of your trip.

At Balai Pata , a new Filipino restaurant in Kahului, a celebration of the flavors that the chef and owner Joey Macadangdang grew up with is a welcome addition to Maui’s restaurant scene. Plump Kauai prawns sauteed in garlicky fish sauce ($17) set the stage for savory sinigang ($30) — tamarind broth loaded with long beans, okra and fish. For dessert, two can share the halo-halo ($18) — crushed ice topped with avocado, ube ice cream, coconut cream and fruit jellies, served in a coconut shell. The décor reflects a bright, homespun aesthetic, and once a month, local families fill the restaurant for late-night happy hour and karaoke battles — check Instagram for dates.

Jumping into a pool in Kepaniwai Park.

Blue Water Rafting

A trip to Maui isn’t complete without ducking underwater to spy on clouds of striped manini fish, eagle rays and turtles. While most snorkel tours start at Mā‘alaea Harbor, Blue Water Rafting boards at the Kihei boat ramp — offering easier access and one of the only tours of Kanaio Coast’s hidden coves and sea caves ($179, four hours). Climb into the rigid-hulled raft beside two dozen other passengers (fewer than the big tour boats) and watch for dolphins. In winter, close encounters with whales are common. As you peer into the pristine bay formed by Maui’s youngest lava flow, imagine the Polynesian wayfinders sailing here centuries ago, followed by the French explorer La Pérouse in 1786. The ride is exhilarating but bumpy.

Don’t be shy: Wear your flower lei to lunch at Mama’s Fish House . Old-style hospitality reigns at this celebrated restaurant on a sheltered lagoon. Servers greet you in vintage Aloha wear and offer complimentary bowls of poi (pounded taro — a staple of the traditional Hawaiian diet). The menu is pricey but worthy; long before it was fashionable, Mama’s listed who caught each fish and where. A recent menu featured sea bass hooked by Ivan Ventura in Hana ($68). If you ordered only dessert, you’d still leave happy; the Polynesian Black Pearl ($24) is an edible version of “The Birth of Venus”: chocolate mousse and passion fruit ensconced in a cookie seashell. Tables can book up a year out. After lunch, drive two minutes east to Ho‘okipa Beach Park , where surfers carve waves and sea turtles bask on the sand.

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How to Get Off the Tourist Trail in Maui

Now, more than ever, maui needs visitors who tread lightly and compassionately and who support local businesses..

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Show some support for Upcountry by heading to the charming town of Makawao while in Maui.

Photo by EQRoy/Shutterstock

Maui is the second most popular Hawaiian island for visitors, after the island of O‘ahu, with travelers descending in droves to experience a sunrise viewing atop the dormant volcano at Haleakala National Park , drive the winding road to Hāna, and head to the island’s idyllic beaches , perfect for surfing, snorkeling, and sunbathing.

But in August 2023, tragedy struck in paradise when wildfires devastated Lahaina in West Maui and also scorched areas of Upcountry in and around Kula. A little more than eight months later, recovery efforts are still underway, and now, more than ever, Maui needs visitors who tread lightly and compassionately. One way to do that is to go beyond the typical tourist trail, to get off the resort compound and eat, shop, and explore more locally, and to support businesses that may have been affected by the fires.

Right now, “responsible travel is really important,” says Britney Alejo-Fishell, owner of Haku Maui in Makawao, a small business in Maui’s Upcountry that makes traditional Hawaiian leis and teaches lei making workshops. “You cannot only take. When you come, you give as well. Whether you give your time, your resources, or support local.”

She adds, “Big box retailers, they will always be there. But if you go and buy a plate lunch [at a family-run restaurant], if you go and purchase a lei, that family will be able to keep its doors open for one more day.” Ekolu Lindsey of Maui Cultural Lands , a nonprofit land trust organization working to preserve and restore Hawaiian cultural resources, echoes the importance of supporting local businesses and adds that Maui residents need travelers to “use good manners and be an ethical traveler. Like going to grandma’s house. Help without being asked.”

In addition to supporting local businesses, Hawai‘i officials remind visitors not to enter any restricted areas of Lahaina and not to take photos of the area, even from a distance.

“The area is restricted because conditions can be hazardous to your health,” authorities stated in official guidelines on how to visit Maui responsibly that were released in the aftermath of the fires. The fires completed devastated areas of Lahaina, reducing buildings to rubble in some cases, and leaving mangled cars, trees, and numerous other objects in their wake. It will take years for Lahaina to rebuild. “Respect the privacy of survivors and the dignity of those who lost their lives. If you come across a memorial service or other private gathering, leave the area immediately. Respect the gathered survivors and residents—do not take photos or videos.”

It’s worth noting that parts of Lahaina are open, including numerous businesses—the entire city was not destroyed. It is impossible to travel to and through West Maui without passing along Lahaina and likely catching glimpses of the wreckage. What authorities and residents are asking is that when you do, you behave respectfully and avoid gawking.

Chef Zach Laidlaw of Maui’s Hua Momona Farms chats with volunteers who are prepping food for meals.

Photo by Michelle Baran

Volunteer with a local aid group

There is no better way to connect with the local community and to help Maui recover (and to have some honest-to-goodness fun doing manual labor) than to volunteer at one of any number of organizations that have mobilized throughout the island to assist residents. There are numerous volunteer opportunities in Maui for visitors. They include Feed My Sheep , a mobile food distribution program that is making around 69,000 meals per month and needs help with packing and handing out food. You can sign up for volunteer shifts through HandsOn Maui , which also lists other opportunities with organizations throughout the island.

Additionally, you can volunteer at Hua Momona Farms , a microgreens farm in West Maui that, through its charitable arm Hua Momona Foundation, became an essential Lahaina recovery operation following the wildfires. Residents and visitors alike can help with tasks like sorting and preparing nutritious meals for residents in need of aid.

On a recent visit this past February, I volunteered at Hua Momona Farms, and it was by far the most rewarding part of my time spent in Maui. Not only was it a truly fun and meaningful experience, but volunteering also presents an amazing opportunity to connect with locals on a deeper level and get insights and recommendations directly from the source. While I was shredding carrots and chopping cabbage, I received some of the best advice on what to see and do while in Maui from the residents and regular visitors I was working alongside. (This is where I found out about Papi’s Ohana, listed in the restaurant section below, for instance, in addition to tips for how best to avoid some of the inevitable traffic and congestion in West Maui as debris cleanup continues in Lahaina.)

For those who want to help out in Kula, link up with Mālama Kula , an organization working with volunteers to provide relief and aid to Upcountry communities, including debris cleanup efforts and invasive species management. You can assist Maui Cultural Lands with reforestation and archaeological stabilization projects or Kipuka Olowalu to work on preservation efforts at the Native Hawaiian cultural site, Olowalu Valley.

Lesley Cummings, owner of Aloha Missions , which creates customized give-back experiences in Maui, says that her organization can make connections between support efforts and visitors who want to reach out to local communities and volunteer or provide services and resources while they are in Maui.

When visiting the Seven Sacred Pools, or ‘O’heo Gulch, in Maui, stay on the marked trails and be aware of slippery rocks.

Photo by David Shao/Shutterstock

When it comes to hikes and beaches, you should actually stay on the tourist trail

Maui is full of beautiful hiking paths and beaches to explore, from the Kapalua Coastal Trail in West Maui that follows the cliffs along the stunning Kapalua shore, to the Seven Sacred Pools Trail (or ‘Ohe‘o Gulch) near Hāna. But wherever you go, locals and tourism authorities alike ask that travelers stay on the marked trails rather than wander into areas that could be potentially dangerous or that is private property. If you’re looking to escape the crowds, head to Hamoa Beach off the road to Hāna, or the wilder beach at Mākena State Park. Another way to avoid the crowds is to travel during the off season . While Maui has amazing weather year-round, it’s an especially popular destination during the Christmas and New Year holiday stretch, and during school breaks such as spring break and summer—these would be good times to avoid if you want the hikes and beaches more to yourself.

“I would encourage travelers to use life-guarded beaches, and stick with the popular hikes. Be aware of nature and use common sense,” says Lindsey of Maui Cultural Lands.

Lindsey advises visitors to think wisely and stay safe when exploring Maui’s natural wonders. For instance, if it has “been raining heavy in the mountains, don’t go hiking along a stream. If you do go along a stream, make sure you know how to escape in 30 seconds. That’s how much time you’ll have should a flash flood occur.”

On hikes along the coast, “Stay away from the wet rocks. There may be some heavy wave action that can sweep you into the ocean. If you get caught, don’t panic. Wait for help. If you try to climb out, you may get seriously injured,” says Lindsey. And make sure you are properly prepared with adequate food, water, a full charge on your phone, and a back-up battery.

As for the famed road to Hāna, consider booking a vetted tour operator. As the popularity of this scenic drive has grown in recent years, so, too has the traffic and problems with overtourism along the increasingly snarled road. Day-trippers will often drive a rented car to navigate the winding road, but with limited knowledge of what there is to see and do along the way, tourists are known to stop and park illegally simply because they see other cars have stopped, just to check out a hiking trail or scenic overlook.

Rather than contribute to the congestion, book a tour with a local outfit. Hana Highway Regulation , a group that was created to help establish some oversight and management of the road to Hāna, has developed a list of certified tour operators who will bring visitors to places that are safe and legal to visit, to avoid problems with trespassing and explore natural areas responsibly. For instance, Hāna & Beyond brings guests to “hidden gems” along the road to Hāna, providing the locals’ perspective to the sights along the way.

Support Mala Ocean Tavern on the Lahaina waterfront and the bonus will be a delicious seafood-forward meal.

Support local restaurants and chefs

Many businesses were destroyed last August, and some are finally getting back on their feet, either by relocating or rebuilding. Everywhere you turn in Maui, there’s an opportunity to support a business that was directly or indirectly affected or that is doing its part to help.

One of those businesses is Mala Ocean Tavern , one of the first establishments on the Lahaina waterfront that reopened in February. It’s a spot that Michelle King, volunteer coordinator at Hua Momona Farms, highly recommends that visitors support to help get Lahaina businesses back up and running. My family and I visited soon after it reopened, and the service was so warm and welcoming despite everything the community has been through. Our meals were absolutely delicious—my mahi mahi gyro plate was particularly noteworthy.

After being forced to closed in the immediate aftermath of the fires, Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop in Olowalu, adjacent to Lahaina, reopened in December, making its delicious lime, coconut cream, banana cream, chocolate macnut, and apple crumble pies available once again. The menu also includes sandwiches, salads, hot dogs, and fries.

Another local eatery that came up repeatedly during my time in Maui was Papi’s Ohana . You “ must get a cinnamon roll!” says King, of the family-owned bakery. Papi’s serves up the aforementioned cinnamon rolls and a variety of croissants, scones, and cookies; it operates as a pizzeria from 4 p.m. with a limited number of pies, including a fully loaded option and an Aloha HI Spice pie with Canadian bacon, jalapeño, and pineapple—available until they sell out.

For an elevated interpretation of Hawaiian regional cuisine, head to Merriman’s , one of the few oceanfront venues in West Maui’s resort enclave of Kapalua overlooking Kapalua Bay with epic sunset views. Chef and owner Peter Merriman, together with his team, prepared and served thousands of meals daily in the aftermath of the wildfires, offering free, hot meals to anyone who needed them. Today, the restaurant, like the rest of Kapalua, is fully up and running, serving Hawaiian ahi poke, house-made Molokai sweet potato chips, chilled Kona lobster, and the Merriman’s Mai Tai topped with lilikoi foam, with a backdrop of priceless ocean scenery.

It doesn’t get more iconic than the location and sunset views at Merriman’s in Kapalua.

Photo by Randy Jay Braun

Spend time in Upcountry

While a lot of attention has focused on West Maui and the recovery efforts in and around Lahaina, it’s worth heading to Upcountry to show support there as well. The region is also recovering after wildfires in and around Kula. Spend time in the adorable town of Makawao, after returning from a hike in nearby Haleakalā National Park. Fill up on grilled mahi mahi burritos at Polli’s Mexican Restaurant in Makawao and bop into local shops like Haku Maui for handmade leis, Droplets for kids clothes and gifts, Tribe Maui for curated fashion and accessories, and the Monarch Collective for jewelry and home goods.

Invest in local artists by heading into Maui Hands , a locally owned trio of art galleries (the two other locations are in Paia and Wailea) featuring everything from handcrafted furnishings to ceramics and paintings. Then head off to Maui Gold to see how pineapples are grown and to learn the important role the juicy fruit plays in Maui’s history.

If you happen to be in Upcountry on a Friday or Sunday, see if you can catch dinner or brunch on the farm at Moku Roots , a farm-to-table operation that relocated to Kula after the Lahaina fire. On Saturdays, you can load up on delicious fresh produce at the Upcountry Farmers’ Market . While at the farmers’ market, be sure to get a cortado, Haleakalā Rising, or Maple Bulletproof latte, in the white trolley nearby that is Crema .

There really isn’t a cuter spot to get coffee than in the locally run Crema coffee trolley in Makawao in Upcountry.

Opt for a local tour, cultural event, or surfing experience

So much of the tour and experiences industry in Maui is run by smaller, mom-and-pop businesses—and each one has a story. By booking with these smaller outfits, you’re supporting local entrepreneurs, their employees, and their families.

Tim Lara of Hawaiian Paddle Sports , a certified B Corp in Maui that offers surf lessons, kayak tours, canoe tours, and stand-up paddleboard lessons, for instance, lives in Kula in Maui’s Upcountry. He had to briefly put business on hold following the fires in order to help neighbors extinguish new hot spots and clear trees that had fallen onto properties. Hawaiian Paddle Sports is back online now offering surf, kayak, and whale-watching tours in less crowded coastal destinations throughout the island.

Trilogy Excursions offers sunset sailings, whale-watching tours, snorkel excursions, and more on its fleet of catamarans. One of Trilogy’s boats was destroyed during the fires, and this third-generation-owned outfitter used its boats to assist with fire recovery efforts. Now, you can assist Trilogy.

This is also your chance to take a deeper and more meaningful look at Maui’s culture and history and support the people working tirelessly to honor and preserve it. You can do so at the Maui Historical Society , also known as Hale Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House, which is located in Wailuku and open Monday through Friday. The venue houses 2,000 artifacts, a vast archive, and 8,000 historic photographs. There are also gardens that feature native Hawaiian plants.

The open-air lobby lanai at the Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, commands spectacular views.

Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua

Stay in a hotel, not a vacation rental

With many displaced families still looking for longer-term housing, Hawai‘i’s tourism board suggests that visitors consider staying in a hotel instead of an Airbnb or vacation rental for the time being in order to not put further pressure on an already limited housing stock. Many workers in Maui hotels, especially those in West Maui, were either personally affected or know someone who was.

In West Maui, the Kapalua and Kāʻanapali coastal areas were among the last areas to open following the fires in nearby Lahaina. There are no shortage of incredible options, including Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua , a gorgeous luxury hotel (one of our top 10 favorite resorts in Hawai‘i ) that was recently refreshed with renovated guest rooms (the residential suites with kitchenettes are perfect for groups) and public areas. Another wonderful accommodation in West Maui is the nearby Montage Kapalua Bay , located on an ocean-facing cliff with 70 residential-style accommodations complete with kitchens.

A little further south, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea represents the epitome of island luxury, with cultural programming that is at the forefront of the Native Hawaiian cultural renaissance movement, led by Wendy Tuivaioge, director of Hawaiian programs and cultural ambassador at the resort. The resort’s complimentary Kids for All Seasons program (for ages 5–12) is infused with educational elements.

Of course, staying at a resort isn’t necessarily how to get off the tourist trail. But right now, it’s all about how to balance contributions to Maui’s travel economy, which is very reliant on a steady flow of visitors, without putting too much strain on resources—such as housing—that local residents need. So, stay at the resort, but then get out and explore the towns, shops, restaurants, and cultural and natural sites beyond the hotel compound.