Aloha !

Maui has a way of moving you. Maybe it’s the sunsets, maybe it’s the snorkeling, or maybe it’s the people you meet while visiting. 


Many visitors leave wanting to give back to the place that gives them so much. Voluntourism is a great way to do that! 


A few hours of hands-on service can turn a good vacation into a meaningful one. For South Maui-based visitors, some of the best voluntourism opportunities are only minutes from your condo. 


Here are some ideas for your next trip:


1. Restore Habitat at Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge


Kealia Pond, between Kihei and Maalaea, is one of the most important wetlands in Hawaii. It’s habitat for endangered birds like the native ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt) and the ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot). 


Every Thursday from 9:00 am to noon, volunteers help weed, propagate native plants and plant them in the refuge’s dryland forest. Afterward, stroll the coastal boardwalk, look for birds, and take in the sights. Register via HandsOn Maui.


2. Rebuild Kalepolepo Fishpond


At Kalepolepo Beach Park right in front of Menehune Shores, sits Koʻieʻie, also called Kalepolepo Fishpond. It's one of the last surviving ancient Hawaiian fishponds on Maui – which fed the nearby community generations ago. Today, the Maui Fishpond Association hosts community workdays where volunteers wade into the shallows and help rebuild the wall, one rock at a time. This is a rare chance to connect with a living piece of Kihei history. 


Volunteers should be ready to get wet, be able to lift 20 pounds, and comfortable standing in waist-to-chest deep water. Work day dates are posted on the association's website, and you’ll need to sign up ahead of time. Register at Maui Fishpond Association. 


3. Clean a Beach on Your Own Schedule


Short on time? Pacific Whale Foundation's Marine Debris Monitoring program lets you volunteer "any day, any time." Pick up gloves, a recycled bag and a datasheet at one of the Foundation's Ocean Stores. Then clean any beach you like and report what you find. Your data supports research on ocean plastics. If you log three or more hours of volunteer time, Pacific Whale Foundation will thank you with a free tote bag made from recycled materials.


4. Protect the Dunes and Wetlands at Waihee


Waihee Coastal Dunes is under an hour’s drive from Kihei. This space protects native plants, endangered waterbirds, and important Hawaiian cultural sites. Hawaii Land Trust hosts workdays most Fridays and the third Saturday of each month at the Dunes from 8:00 am to noon. On the second Saturday, volunteers help restore a traditional loko i‘a kalo, a pond where taro and fish were raised together. Register online through Hawaii Land Trust. 


Leave Maui Better Than You Found It


Volunteering doesn’t take much. It can be one morning at Kealia Pond or one bag of trash from the beach at Kam II. When you give back to Maui, it becomes part of your story, and deepens your connection to the island. 


Mahalo for traveling with respect and aloha!

Warmest Aloha,

The Ali'i Resorts Ohana