Hawaii Voluntourism
Hawaii Voluntourism
You're dreaming of paradise, not work, so the idea of Hawaii voluntourism just may never have crept into your head.
Volunteer vacations are becoming more popular all the time. There seems to be more and more of an emphasis on getting back to volunteering. The travel industry has responded and even coined that new term... voluntourism. But when you're on vacation? Maybe you don't want to give up that valuable time off just to work somewhere else.
Some people get recharged by spending a week or two volunteering in a remote location... others just need to sit on the beach with no worries. Hawaii pretty much qualifies as a great place to go and just "veg out" on a beach.
What if you could have your beach time and volunteer too? We read a public service ad recently in National Geographic Traveler that there are several organizations in Hawaii that can use your time for just a day... or even just half a day. You can probably find something on your favorite island.
The Maui Coastal Land Trust has work days at an island refuge. On Friday mornings and some Saturday mornings, you can help pull invasive weeds.
On Kauai, you can participate in beach clean up days organized by Surfrider Kauai. This may cost you as little as two hours of your vacation time.
On the "Big Island"... that would be the Island of Hawaii, you can volunteer in a garden. The Amy Greenwell Garden is worth a visit all by itself. It's on the Kona side of the island, and it's a botanical garden that features endemic and indigenous plants as well as plants that were introduced by early Polynesian settlers. It's run by the Bishop Museum, and they'll let you help with the gardening or things like propagating plants.
On Oahu, you can get away from Waikiki for just a few hours by contacting 'Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi... that's an organization of "Hawaiians for the Conservation of Native Ecosystems". They have "service projects" every Saturday morning from 8:30 to 12:30.
There are Hawaii voluntourism opportunities on the less touristed islands too. On Lanai you could help out for a day at the Lanai Culture and Heritage Center. On Molokai you might help clear invasive mangroves.
You can find out about more opportunities at a website called Preserve Hawaii. This is a great place to read about more Hawaii voluntourism projects you can participate in. For all of these, you should plan ahead and contact the organization in advance if you would like to help them out on your vacation.
So go ahead, get in touch with one of these or other organizations. Participate in Hawaii voluntourism. You can have your little slice of paradise and help preserve it too! What's The Attraction of Baccarat? Fun Day Trips From Phoenix Tips to Buy a Travel Water Purifier Traveling To China? Five Useful Things To Keep In Mind On Your Journey You know it's Good--Callaway Black X-Tour Chrome Wedge Villas in Portugal - visit one of Europes tourist gems Buy Golf Clothes As A Gift This Christmas Crafty Arts Offers Jigsaw Puzzles - An Ideal Christmas Present Holiday Accommodation in the Sunshine Coast 8 Tips For Traveling With Your Dog Christmas Customs Around The World Scensy Wickless Candles – A Great Gift For Christmas Tempting Forts And Palaces Tour Of Rajasthan