Travel with a purpose: How to volunteer in Maui

13.07.2024 - 11:12 / lonelyplanet.com

Jul 11, 2024 • 5 min read

This article was adapted from the Maui guidebook, due to be published in August 2024 and written by Amy Balfour, Malia Yoshioka, Savannah Dagupion and Ryan Ver Berkmoes

Hawaii Tourism is trying something different when it comes to tourism by showing visitors how they can give back to the local community. Because the culture of Hawaii is focused so much on caring for the land that cares for you, the tourism organization believes that one of the major things you can do to learn about Hawaii and its culture, not to mention participate in this primary tenet, is to volunteer. 

Spending a few hours volunteering – removing invasive plants, cleaning up a reef, taking a dog to the beach or planting traditional crops – might turn out to be your most rewarding experience on Maui. Many projects include a bit of education about local history and the environment, so you’ll take away something from the experience, too.

Hawaii Tourism shares a list of organizations that offer half-day volunteer opportunities on Maui as part of its Mālama Hawaiʻi Program. Another place to start is Hands on Maui, which is a volunteer hub for the entire island. The website shares an extensive list of volunteer agencies and their programs. It also includes immediate volunteer needs as well as opportunities to aid those displaced by the Lahaina Wildfire. The Maui Nui Strong program, supported by the Office of Economic Development, also posts volunteer opportunities on its website and lists them by date.

Another easy way to help is by donating food and household items to the Maui Food Bank or assisting with food packing. If you love being outdoors, consider volunteering at Haleakalā National Park. These projects are organized by Friends of Haleakalā National Park. Tracking and counting whales for the Pacific Whale Foundation is another possibility.

Plan how you can help out with our favorite volunteer opportunities.

Not all volunteer programs are on land. On the first Sunday of every month, Trilogy Ocean Sports offers its Blue’aina Reef Cleanup program. Alongside the staff, visitors sail out to the reef to snorkel or dive and gather trash and other debris that has been caught on the reef. Go gather up those wayward bundles of fishing nets and save a turtle or two. 

You’ll also get an education while you’re at it. Representatives from various nonprofits, educators and experts are on hand to teach you all they know about everything from whale habitats to Hawaiian traditions. 

Planting taro on your hands and knees in the shadows of the Olowalu Valley isn’t just a reenactment of ancient agricultural practices. Nope, it’s also a chance to give back to Maui by helping to preserve a historically important agricultural site, all