HWF Volunteer Information Mahalo (thank you) for your interest in HWF! As an island-based conservation group, all of our projects are designed to assist in the recovery of a thriving nearshore ecosystem. Therefore, we work from mauka to makai (mountain to ocean). Please peruse our many projects and note the requirements and gear for participating in them. All activities require flexibility, reliability, a friendly demeanor, a love for the outdoors, an eco-friendly attitude, and a desire to work hard, meet new people, learn, and have fun! Once you have determined which of the projects you d like to be a part of or receive more information about, please contact either Tara at hwfhonu@gmail.com: 1) use the word VOLUNTEER in the subject line of the email 2) give specific DATES you will be on Maui or your AVAILABILITY if you live here 3) indicate specific PROJECTS you are interested in joining 4) complete the LIABILITY FORM Our conservation projects focus on native wildlife research and recovery, marine debris response and education, and habitat restoration. Some are regularly scheduled, but Mother Nature is unpredictable. Weather, need, and if/when turtles are nesting/basking are a few factors that determine when some projects occur. You can volunteer on a one-time basis with all projects EXCEPT for the Basking Research Project. Please peruse the project descriptions in the attached brochure then read about volunteer details below.
Projects on Maui Categories Marine Debris Response & Education Native Wildlife Research & Recovery Honu Ho okulueana Basking Project Night Patrol for Nesting Turtles Nest Watch for Hatchlings Dawn Patrol Turtle Transect Team Reporting Hawksbill Sightings Report Hooked/Entangled Turtles Green Turtle Identification Ka ehu Beach Marine Debris Cleanups Sharkastics Research, Marine Debris Sorting, and Educational Activities Adopt-a-Highway & Coastal Cleanups Maui Reef Fund Underwater Cleanups Habitat Restoration Taro and Fish Farming Turtle Fence Fixing & Dune Restoration
Projects on Maui Schedule Daily: Periodically: Ka ehu Beach Marine Debris Cleanups Turtle Transect Team Green Turtle Identification Sharkastics Research, Marine Debris Sorting, and Educational Activities Adopt-a-Highway & Coastal Cleanups Maui Reef Fund Underwater Cleanups Taro and Fish Farming Turtle Fence Fixing & Dune Restoration Seasonally: Independently: Honu Ho okuleana Basking Project Monthly: Night Patrol for Nesting Turtles Nest Watch for Hatchlings Dawn Patrol Reporting Hawksbill Sightings Report Hooked/Entangled Turtles
Native Wildlife Research & Recovery Honu Ho okuleana Basking Project: Description: Hawai i Wildlife Fund monitors basking honu (turtles) to educate the community about the phenomenon called "basking," a rare behavior in which green sea turtles crawl ashore for reasons other than nesting. No other species of sea turtles are known to bask and the behavior has been documented only in Hawai i and Australia. Basking turtles are common in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands but are seen on a more limited basis around the main Hawaiian Islands, which is where HWF's Honu Watchers help protect the turtles. Turtles are especially vulnerable while basking on shore. Possible reasons for the behavior are that basking allows turtles to rest, raise their body temperature and/or to avoid predators (sharks). There may be other health-related benefits that are currently not understood, possibly linked to fibropapillomatosis, so it's important that the basking turtles are never disturbed. Requirements: A minimum of one week on Maui, as you will need to be trained for this project with a commitment to complete additional shifts. Great people skills. Occurs: nightly from 2:30pm until after sunset and sporadically when basking occurs diurnally Location: north shore of Maui Gear: layered clothing for changing weather, water, snacks, sun protection, beach chair if desired (umbrella or sun tent shade provided)
Hawksbill Recovery Project: Within the Hawaiian Archipelago, endangered hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) predominately nest on Hawai i Island. Lower numbers are also known to nest on the islands of Maui, Moloka i and O ahu, with a statewide estimate thought to be at least 50 reproductive females (but probably fewer than 100) with only ~6-20 of these nesting each year. Hawksbill nesting activities were first documented on Maui in 1991, and an organized community-based effort to systematically monitor these occurrences began in 1996 when HWF was formed. We have a variety of projects that focus on the hawksbill sea turtle. ~Dawn Patrol for nesting turtle tracks Description: Volunteers monitor nesting beaches at dawn for nesting turtle tracks. You will be trained to identify these tracks and assigned a beach and a day for patrol. Requirements: training to identify turtle tracks; ability to walk distances on the beach early in the morning; reliability and commitment Occurs: May-October, each morning at dawn Location: various beaches around Maui Gear: layered clothing for changing weather, cell phone, camera
~Night Patrols for Nesting Turtles Description: Volunteer with HWF researchers as they monitor Maui beaches for female hawksbill sea turtles returning to their birthplace to nest. We work in the dark since hawksbill turtles nest at night, patrolling the beach hourly on foot to search for turtle tracks or for mother turtles crawling out onto the beach to nest. When a turtle is spotted, we watch from a distance with a night vision scope to ensure that the animal is not disturbed. We note nest locations so that our team of turtle nest watchers can return to turtle sit the nests two months later when the hatchlings are due to emerge. After each turtle successfully nests, HWF staff and volunteers measure her shell and make sure she appears healthy. We note a tagged flipper, if any, which can lead to comparison growth information. If the animal is not tagged, HWF does so for future identification. Sometimes HWF attaches small tracking devices to the turtle s shell in order to study habitat usages and behavioral patterns. Requirements: camping gear, turtle friendly flashlight, alarm to wake for shifts, ability to walk long distances on the beach in the dark with others Occurs: June-December, varied hours day and night Location: various beaches around Maui Gear: layered clothing for changing weather, turtle friendly red flashlight, and camping gear
~Nest Watch for Hatchlings Description: HWF leads constant vigils of each hawksbill nest right before and during the hatching period. Hatchlings often need a little assistance getting to the ocean as they can get trapped in sandy footprints or debris, become disoriented by coastal lighting or get entangled in vegetation. HWF camps by each turtle nest to wait for the hatchlings to emerge. Our presence keeps cats, dogs, birds, mongooses, and crabs from preying upon these hatchlings. When the tiny turtles crawl up out of the sand, nest watchers clear the way to make sure the hatchlings make it to the ocean safely. Requirements: camping gear, turtle friendly flashlight, willingness to sleep outside, alarm to wake for shifts, ability to walk long distances on the beach in the dark with others Occurs: June-December, varied hours day and night Location: various beaches around Maui Gear: layered clothing for changing weather, beach chair and camping gear
~Turtle Transect Team Description: Snorkel surveys are conducted at sites where hawksbills have been seen as well as new locations in attempt to find suitable hawksbill habitat & potential tagging project sites. HWF leads turtle transects along the coastline searching for hawksbills and turtles in trouble (hooked or entangled). Requirements: strong swimming skills and stamina to snorkel in potentially rough water for 2+ hours Occurs: periodically year-round Location: various reefs around Maui Gear: wet suit, snorkel gear, optional underwater camera ~Reporting Hawksbill Turtle Sightings Description: Email your hawksbill sightings to us via pictures and/or words to add to our valuable database. We will send you a chart to help you differentiate between the hawksbill and the green sea turtle. Requirements: ability to differentiate between hawksbill and green sea turtles Occurs: whenever you see a hawksbill sea turtle in the water or on-line (social media posts) Location: anywhere in the Hawaiian Islands Gear: optional underwater camera, email address
Marine Debris Response & Education Ka ehu Beach Marine Debris Cleanups Description: HWF has adopted Waiehu s Ka ehu Beach on the northwest coastline of Maui in collaboration with the community and with NOAA s tsunami monitoring program. HWF and other community groups have been cleaning marine debris from Ka ehu for years, but it keeps washing ashore. The marine debris items gathered here are tallied to be added to a nationwide database, and we look for Japanese tsunami debris. This beach had green sea turtle nesting activity in 2007, 2009 and 2012, so it becomes even more important to clean the beach for the turtles! Requirements: ability to bend over to pick up debris and walk on uneven surfaces (rocks/sand) Occurs: 4th Sunday of every month from 9am-1pm Location: Ka ehu Beach (near Waiehu on Maui) Gear: layered clothing for changing weather, water, snacks (some will be provided), sun protection, sturdy shoes that can get sandy/wet
Sharkastics Research, Marine Debris Sorting & Educational Activities Description: Combining the words "shark" and "plastic", Sharkastics are what we've termed pieces of marine debris with obvious bite marks such as jagged serrations and/or punctures. They are created by animals (sharks, fish, seabirds, turtles, etc.) biting, and possibly eating, the debris. We collect and analyze these sharkastics and other marine debris from local and international sources during our monthly coastal cleanups. We build educational kits to distribute to schools/groups, so if you have any teachers in mind please have them contact us. Requirements: detail-oriented, imaginative and kid-friendly Occurs: periodically year-round Location: various coastlines and schools in Hawaiian islands Gear: clothing that will get dirty, water, and snacks
Adopt-A-Highway Program & Other Coastal Cleanups Description: These cleanups prevent land-based trash from blowing into the ocean where animals might mistake it as food. Our Adopt-a-Highway site meanders along a beautiful, rugged coastline of sandy beaches and rocky outcroppings, which provide important habitat for a variety of nearshore reef animals including Hawaiian monk seals and green sea turtles. You can make a difference by joining our cleanups or picking up trash on your own whenever you see it. It only takes a second! Eliminating single-use plastic bottles and bags helps the environment in many more ways than one. And, remember to recycle all aluminum, glass, paper, and plastic. Hawaii's animals thank you! Requirements: willingness to pick up rubbish Occurs: periodically year-round Location: Hana Highway from Mama s Fish House to Maliko Gulch and other locations on Maui Gear: layered clothing for changing weather, water, snacks, sun protection, and sturdy shoes
Maui Reef Fund Underwater Cleanups Description: Maui s coastal waters have a vast diversity of marine life and miles of exquisite coral reefs fairly accessible for exploring. Maui Reef Fund is a partnership between marine tour operators and conservationists designed to help ensure that these outstanding coral reefs are protected and remain healthy for generations to come. Sadly, discarded fishing line, weights and other gear litter our nearshore reefs, which can entangle coral and other animals. Removing these items is a delicate and dangerous process, but it needs to constantly be done. Requirements: SCUBA diving certification or ability to free dive while snorkeling Occurs: periodically year-round Location: various reefs around Maui Gear: wetsuit, snorkel gear, optional underwater camera
Habitat Restoration Taro & Fish Farming Description: Partnering with taro farmers and Hawaiian cultural practitioners, our educational groups access a uniquely Hawaiian experience that connects nature and culture. This project promotes sustainable living and reduces pressures on local reef fish through taro and fish cultivation using traditional practices. Volunteers travel into Maui's mountain rain forest to learn about traditional taro and fish farming practices, located on Uncle Oliver and Antie Valerie Dukelow's remote and "off the grid" farm where they practice traditional management and land-use practices. To help fund this educational effort, HWF received more than $10,000 in donations from the Bierer family and friends in honor of their late son, Nicholas. The program, formally entitled "Kahakuloa Valley Ahupua a Restoration: Farming Taro and Farming Fish to Sustain Island Communities," was blessed and launched in the valley with a celebration of Nick s life: Ka Halia Aloha, Nick. Requirements: willingness to get muddy off the beaten path Occurs: periodically year-round Location: remote Kahakuloa Valley on Maui Gear: layered clothing to get muddy, towel, change of clothes, waterproof shoes, water, and snacks
Turtle Fence-Fixing & Dune Restoration Description: Hawai i Wildlife Fund has collaborated with other agencies to help protect Maui's small population of nesting hawksbill sea turtles and their hatchlings from dangers caused by human disturbance, coastal lighting, non-native vegetation, predators, and vehicular traffic. Although these intensified efforts have greatly improved the dataset for each nesting and hatching occurrence, the nesting numbers are not significantly increasing. The fence along turtle nesting habitat at Kealia Pond, Maui, needs constant repair, which is costly and time consuming. A state-wide modeling and overall assessment of the hawksbill sea turtle species and its habitats desperately needs to be undertaken to prioritize and implement research and conservation measures. Requirements: willingness to get sandy and sweaty Occurs: periodically year-round Location: Kealia Beach & other nesting beaches on Maui Gear: layered clothing, kiawe-proof shoes, water, and snacks
Please visit our website to kōkua (take care of) in other ways: Donate: Make a tax-deductible contribution at www.wildhawaii.org/donate.html Adopt an Endangered Species: Choose sea turtles, monk seals, dolphins, whales, or a coral reef at www.wildhawaii.org/adopt.html Our Facebook page has event news and updates: h>ps://www.facebook.com/hawaiiwildlifefund View pics on Instagram: h>p://instagram.com/wildhawaii