Mālama Pono

Kaʻehu

Kaʻehu: Kaʻehu is a non-profit organization located in Waiehu, Maui, dedicated to preserving and revitalizing Hawaiian culture and natural resources. Through community engagement, Kaʻehu focuses on restoring native ecosystems, perpetuating traditional Hawaiian practices, and fostering a deeper connection between people and the ʻāina (land). The organization offers various educational programs and volunteer opportunities that promote environmental stewardship and cultural awareness. By empowering the community to mālama ʻāina (care for the land), Kaʻehu plays a vital role in sustaining the cultural heritage and environmental health of Waiehu and beyond.

Kīpuka Olowalu:

Kīpuka Olowalu is an organization seeking to preserve the Native Hawaiian cultural site, Olowalu valley. Participant tasks vary depending on the Hawaiian moon calendar. Different tasks can include removing weeds and invasive plants on the property and learning about different native and endemic plants. Beyond protecting the Cultural Reserve, Kīpuka Olowalu also works to preserve the biodiversity and beauty of Olowalu Reef, a 1,000-acre reef habitat that provides food and shelter to a variety of marine species and unique coral habitat. Through proper planting and sediment mitigation techniques, Kīpuka Olowalu reduces reef stressors and helps maintain the integrity of the nearshore marine ecosystem.

Hawaiʻi Land Trust (HILT):

HILT works in three programmatic areas: ʻĀina Protection, Stewardship, and Connection. They prioritize the protection of coastlines, wahi kupuna (ancestral spaces), and lands that grow healthy food for Hawaiʻi’s people, and partner to conserve mauka forests and ranches. Participants will help with restoring habitat by removing invasive plants, planting native species, working in loʻi (taro) patches and more.

Grow Some Good:

Grow Some Good is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating hands-on, outdoor learning experiences that cultivate curiosity about natural life cycles, connect students to their food sources, and inspire better nutrition choices. Their mission is to cultivate a healthy community by strengthening local agriculture and improving access to nutritious, affordable food. As they expand their community agroforest at the YMCA on Maui, we will join them in growing a greener Maui! This will include maintaining a healthy garden through necessary weeding, planting, and other small improvement projects. Occasionally there are opportunities to help with their Farm to School program where participants would assist with local school garden workdays or plant kit assembly for students.

Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge:

Keālia Pond is a sanctuary for many native and endemic species to the Hawaiian Islands. The wetlands at Keālia pond is home endangered ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt) and ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot), providing nesting, feeding and resting habitat. Feathered visitors from faraway places also make appearances. Participants will be contributing to habitat restoration work, protecting and enhancing the refuge’s native plant community. Volunteers will usually work alongside refuge staff to outplant and care for native plant species and remove invasive plants.

Maui Cultural Lands:

Maui Cultural Lands mission is to stabilize, protect and restore cultural resources. Their primary focus is reforestation within Honokowai Valley and Kaʻanapali area with native and endemic Hawaiian plants. Honokowai valley has numerous archaeological sites that date back to more than a century ago. It was believed to be a self-sufficient village, home to about 600 families. Participants maintain the Honokowai valley area, learning cultural connection with each task.

Common Ground Collective:

Common Ground Collective’s mission is to increase food security, economic and educational opportunities in Maui County. The goal, transforming Maui into a productive island and environment. Their work boosts local food production, increases economic security, promotes environmental education and increases the use of regenerative farming practices. Efforts to help common ground collective include helping them wash, weigh and sort fruit, and working in the Haiku House Common Ground Community Garden to grow food for residents in need.

Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project:

Maui Nui Marine Seabird Recovery Project focuses on seabird recovery, management and restoration within habitat areas around Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi. Their project protects the seabirds by removing predators and habitat-altering plants taking over the breeding colony. Participation could include restoring ʻuaʻu kani (wedge-tailed shearwaters) burrow areas at Hāwea point, Hoʻokipa and south Maui, or recording data during banding efforts.

Maui Nui Botanical Gardens:

Maui Nui Botanical Gardens (MNBG) is committed to preserving the rich native flora and cultural heritage of Maui Nui. By collecting, cultivating, and distributing native and Polynesian-introduced plants, MNBG offers a vibrant gathering place where visitors can explore and appreciate the essential role these plants play in our economic, social, and cultural lives.

Māʻalaea Mauka Cleanup:

In partnership with The Trust for Public Land and the County of Maui the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DLNR-DOFAW) acquired the 257-acre Pōhākea property, located at the base of Mauna Kahālāwai (West Maui Mountains) and mauka of Māʻalaea Bay, to protect and restore. DOFAW is collaborating with the county and community stakeholders like Pacific Whale Foundation, Maui Ocean Center and Māʻalaea Village Association to reduce recurrent wildfire risks, enhance public access to hiking trails, protect cultural and scenic resources, and reduce stormwater runoff and erosion impacting Māʻalaea Bay. Participants will help with the various stages of restoration, starting with the removal of debris.  

Pacific Whale Foundation’s Community Beach Cleanups:

Plastic pollution is one of the five major threats to whales and dolphins, leading to contamination of marine eco-systems, habitat degradation and wildlife entanglement. Community beach cleanups exist to remove marine debris from ocean environments. Most of this debris originates from land-based sources, such as someone thoughtlessly discarding a cigarette butt or soda can. Participants collect and report marine debris while helping to keep Maui’s beaches and parks trash- and tobacco-free.