Culture & Conservation on Maui, Hawaii

The Trip

Join us at Waihe’e Coastal Dunes & Wetlands Refuge and in Honokowai and Olowalu Valleys for a trip focused on Hawaiian culture and conservation. By day, we will work with local groups to restore native habitat for endangered water birds, removal of invasive plants and planting native species. At night, we will relax in an historic Hawaiian home in the Upcountry of Maui. We will learn about Hawaiian culture with storytelling by local residents. We'll also explore the surrounding waters for humpback whales. This will be a trip to remember.

Day 1: We’ll pick up everyone from the airport in the afternoon. On our way to our historic home in the Upcountry of Maui, we’ll stop to pick up any last minute provisions. In the evening, we’ll gather together for a delicious dinner and introductions, then we’ll talk about the week and what to expect.

Days 2: We’ll work at our own personal limit and have lunch out in the coast. Our work today will take us to Waihe’e Coastal Dunes & Wetlands Refuge where we’ll work with Hawai’i Land Trust to help restore critical native wildlife habitat in a culturally sensitive area. We’ll work at our own personal limit and have lunch out in the valley. After work, we’ll come back to our home, clean up and relax. We’ll gather together to prepare dinner, a task we’ll share all week.

Days 3: We’ll work at our own personal limit and have lunch out in the coast. Our work today will take us to Waihe’e Coastal Dunes & Wetlands Refuge where we’ll work with Hawai’i Land Trust to help restore critical native wildlife habitat in a culturally sensitive area. We’ll work at our own personal limit and have lunch out in the valley. After work, we’ll come back to our home, clean up and relax. We’ll gather for dinner.

Days 4: Today is lā leʻaleʻa (fun day)! Breakfast at the condos, then we’ll head down to the water to meet our Captain for a tour of the local waters as we search for whales still in the area! We’ll come back refreshed and spend some time relaxing before we head out to town for dinner (on your own & optional)!

Day 5: We’ll gather for breakfast and prepare for lunch in the valley. Our work today will take us to Olowalu Valley where we’ll work with Kipuka Olowalu to remove invasive species and plant some native species. We’ll work at our own personal limit and have lunch out in the valley. After work, we’ll come back to the condos, clean up and relax. We’ll gather for dinner and listen to the night’s speaker.

Day 6: We’ll gather for breakfast and prepare for lunch in the valley. Our work today will take us to Olowalu Valley where we’ll work with Kipuka Olowalu to remove invasive species and plant some native species. We’ll work at our own personal limit and have lunch out in the valley. After work, we’ll come back to the condos, clean up and relax. We’ll gather for dinner.

Day 7: We’ll gather for breakfast and prepare for lunch in the valley. Our work today will take us to Honokowai Valley where we’ll work with Maui Cultural Lands to remove invasive species and plant some native species. We’ll work at our own personal limit and have lunch out in the valley. After work, we’ll come back to the condos, clean up and relax before we prepare for a potluck dinner with our hosts!

Day 8: Our last day along the beautiful shores of Maui! After breakfast, we’ll gather our things and make our way back to Kahului and the airport.

Getting There

Travel in the best of times can come with delays or unforeseen circumstances. You may want to consider coming a day or two early in order to ensure your arrival by the trip’s starting time. Information on local lodging (costs not included in the trip) can be provided by the leader. No travel arrangements should be made until the leader has confirmed you as a trip member.

Accommodations and Food

We’ll be staying at a historic, Hawaiian home in the Upcountry for the next week. You’ll enjoy the salt water swimming pool & hot tub, or a short walk away from Makawo. Our meals will consist of fresh, local ingredients prepared by our cook.

Trip Difficulty

Our tasks will include weeding, planting, and removing debris, which will require bending, stretching, pulling and kneeling. All tasks will be completed at your own pace. Working in the valley will require walking down and back up a moderate-to-steep switchback trail.

Equipment and Clothing

Among the recommended items are: long-sleeved shirt and pants, boots, work gloves, sunscreen & bug spray, a small day pack, water bottles, and a hat to protect you from the sun. Participants will receive a more complete list.

References

Books:

• Beckwith, Martha, Hawaiian Mythology.
• Liliuokalani, Hawaii’s Story by Hawaii's Queen.
• Culiney, John, Islands in a Far Sea.
• Kalakaua, David, The Legends and Myths of Hawai’i.
• Catalonia, Lee, Folks You Meet in Longs and other stories.
• Pukui, Mary Kawena, et al, ‘Ōlelo No‘eau: Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings

Conservation

Sierra Club’s stated mission is to Explore, Enjoy, and Protect. We explore and enjoy in order to learn about those wild places. The Hawaiian Islands are particularly vulnerable to threats such as water usage and climate change. The trip leaders will introduce these elements as a part of our trip. Development has continued to have a negative impact on Hawaiians, the land, and the culture. We'll discuss how this issue connects to several others.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable operates under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.