Projects

Kipuka Olowalu is an organization seeking to preserve the Native Hawaiian cultural site, the Olowalu valley, located on the island of Maui. Members of Kipuka Olowalu have worked to restore the land through projects such as lo'i restoration, native plantings, invasive species removal, and re-establishing proper cultural protocols for all who enter. Beyond protecting the Cultural Reserve, Kipuka Olowalu also works to preserve the biodiversity and beauty of Olowalu Reef by replanting native species along the Olowalu stream and using sediment mitigation techniques to reduce reef stressors and help to maintain the integrity of the nearshore marine ecosystem.

Kipuka Olowalu seeks to build community resilience through education, and is open for volunteers, schools, and other educational organizations to come and learn about the environment, Hawaiian culture, and traditional ʻāina stewardship practices.

Volunteer with Kipuka Olowalu - Weekly Volunteer Days - Wednesday & Thursday, 7:30AM-11:30AM

In partnership with the State of Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources - Division of Aquatic Resources, Pacific Whale Foundation serves as the official Marine Debris Rapid Response organization on Maui. This critical program responds to urgent reports of large-scale marine debris, such as derelict fishing gear and ghost nets, that pose a significant threat to marine wildlife and coastal ecosystems. Through field-based removal efforts, trained staff eliminate harmful debris from nearshore and offshore areas, reducing the risk of entanglement for whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and endangered Hawaiian Monk Seals. The program contributes to the health and resilience of Maui’s coastal waters while supporting broader conservation goals through data collection, interagency coordination, and public engagement. Marine Debris Rapid Response complements Pacific Whale Foundation’s long-standing work in marine conservation by addressing the immediate hazards of plastic and gear pollution while promoting sustainable practices in the fishing and tourism industries. People can get involved by reporting large scale marine debris at 833-4-da-nets and by signing up to help with response efforts. Volunteers can get on the text notification list and specify a desire to help when effort is needed in the Olowalu area!

Volunteer with Marine Debris Rapid Response

Mālama Pono is a community-focused volunteer initiative led by Pacific Whale Foundation that invites residents, visitors, and staff to take part in meaningful conservation activities across Maui. Rooted in the Hawaiian values of mālama (to care for) and pono (to act with righteousness), the program engages participants in hands-on efforts such as native habitat restoration, beach cleanups, community garden support, and cultural site stewardship in collaboration with trusted local partners including Kīpuka Olowalu and DLNR-Division of Forestry and Wildlife. Through this work, Mālama Pono fosters environmental stewardship, cross-cultural learning, and a shared sense of kuleana (responsibility) for the island’s natural and cultural resources. Since its launch, the program has mobilized hundreds of volunteers contributing over 2,200 hours of service toward building a more sustainable and connected Maui.

PWF’s mission is to protect the ocean through science and advocacy and inspiring environmental stewardship. Founded in 1980 with a vision of protecting whales from extinction the organization carries out research, education and conservation initiatives addressing major threats to marine life. PWF is located in Māʻalaea.

Volunteer with Mālama Pono

Hui O Ka Wai Ola: Maui's Clean Ocean Team is a group of water quality champions dedicated to measuring and sharing the status of Maui Nui's nearshore waters. Comprised of community member volunteers, scientists, supporters, and partner groups, we collect "slow" data to reveal long-term trends, hotspots, and sources of pollution. Our data are made available every three months on our website, and we publish a report of our findings every two years. 

Hui O Ka Wai Ola looks for sediments, nutrients, and other pollutants from land-based sources that might be having a negative impact on water quality. Every three weeks in West and South Maui, our staff and volunteers collect data for ocean salinity, pH, temperature, total nitrogen, nitrate-nitrite nitrogen, ammonium, total phosphorus, phosphate, silicates, dissolved oxygen (DO) and turbidity. Some water samples are immediately tested at mobile labs, while others are processed for testing at a research lab. 

We have four sites in the Olowalu-Ukumehame-Papalaua area. If you're interested in joining a West Maui team that monitors these sites or downloading our report to learn more about this area, please visit HuiOKaWaiOla.com.

Volunteer with Hui O Ka Wai Ola 

Super Reefs is a global collaboration between The Nature Conservancy, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and Stanford’s Hopkins Marine Station. The project aims to boost coral reef resilience by identifying and stewarding “super reefs” - coral communities that can survive heat stress and support nearby reefs with resilient larvae. Our Maui site is the iconic Olowalu reef. Using a science-based approach, we predict potential super reefs, prove their resilience through thermal testing, and protect them through local partnerships and conservation efforts.

The planned Honoapiʻilani Highway realignment provides a unique opportunity to restore the area’s coastal zone by incorporating park spaces, traditional biocultural practices, and nature-based solutions, such as living shoreline systems, via a participatory planning and co-design process that re-envisions the old right-of-way. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and The University of Hawaiʻi Community Design Center are working with public and private partners on engaging the community and stakeholders in the development of proof-of-concept designs for the coastal area stretching approximately 6 miles from Ukumehame to Launiupoko for 1.1 ft. (~2045) and 3.2 ft. (~2075) of sea level rise – a process called Olowalu: The Road to Resilience.

In Hawaiʻi, it’s in our nature to protect what matters. TNC works with people like you to care for Hawaiʻi’s and Palmyra’s spectacular diversity of life. Together, we can ensure a bright future for the plants and wildlife that share our world and support our well-being. Our work is focused in three broad categories: ʻāina (that which feeds, land and sea), pilina (relationship, union, connection) and climate. These categories are designed to lead us to a future where nature in Hawaiʻi and Palmyra is thriving, native plants and animals flourish, Indigenous leadership and stewardship is supported, and communities are empowered to responsibly care for all that nature provides.  

With a 50,000-acre management area encompassing Mauna Kahālāwai, our mission is to protect and preserve Maui’s native ecosystems and freshwater supply and prevent further degradation through collaborative forest management. We protect the unique native species of Mauna Kahālāwai, natural and cultural treasures that exist nowhere else in the world. We preserve forested watersheds, native ecosystems, and critical natural resources that generate most of Maui's freshwater supply. Finally, we educate our community. Do you know where your water comes from? The more you know, the more you can help!

Mauna Kahālāwai Watershed Partnership hosts monthly volunteer service trips at our Olowalu Valley restoration site. Our goal is not only to restore the landscape, but also to create experiences that nurture a deeper relationship with ʻāina, raise awareness about the current threats to our native ecosystems, and inspire the community to take ownership and actively participate in protecting our natural resources.

Volunteer with Mauna Kahālāwai Watershed Partnership

Reach out to volunteer@maunakahalawai.org with volunteer inquiries.

Hawai'i Forestry and Wildlife strives to restore native landscapes and species that provide a suite of services from generating and storing freshwater into soils and water tables, keeping soils and sediments out of the ocean and off of food-producing reefs, to sequestering carbon and sustaining cultural resources. We control feral grazing animals, protect seabirds, rare invertebrates, fight and prevent fires and replant natives, restoring native ecosystems. Everything done on the land affects the ocean and seabirds carry vital nutrients ashore helping restore native ecosystems. Our work is part of the circle of the 'āina.

Our mission is to protect, manage, and restore natural and cultural resources in collaboration with the people of Hawaiʻi. We envision a future with thriving native ecosystems and opportunities for the people of Hawaiʻi to engage with nature. E mālama kākou i ka ʻāina!