Photo: Rachel Vellenga Sun, Service and Whales, Maui, Hawaii Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 10400A Price: $1,875 Deposit: $200 Capacity: 14 Leader:
The Trip  Photo: Glenda Booth
Enjoy service projects at two different sites on Maui…….one in the Kipahulu region of Haleakala National Park; one in the Honokawai valley of west Maui. Contrasting with our service days will be activity days including hiking, whale watching, swimming and snorkeling in warm Pacific waters. Relax and learn to see and know Hawaii the way its local residents do; with time to talk, tell stories, understand ‘aloha’ and appreciate the profound surrounding beauty of each place we visit. Humpback whales winter in the Islands; coming to Hawaii between November and April to breed, give birth and rest before returning to Alaskan waters to feed during the summer months. Seeing them and hearing them is an awing experience!
 Photo: Glenda Booth In the National Park, we will spend a day helping with whatever maintenance project most needs our attention which may include painting, weeding or restoring trails. On western Maui, the Honokawai valley is the site of a farming community active between 1400 and 1900. The particular area where we will work was once considered the “taro basket” of the Kaanapali region. This is a historical site which bears witness to the scientific, engineering and cultural competence of the original Hawaiian community. As our sponsor, Ed Lindsey says, “Honokawai is a place of learning, healing, and beauty”. This outing will mark our 6th year of participation in this project. Honokawai valley in now protected through a Maui Cultural Lands trust, which works to safeguard historic and archeological sites on the island. This valley is increasingly becoming an educational site, where visitors can learn about ancient Hawaiians’ sustainable systems for food, clothing and shelter. Currently, it is not open to the public; but the hope is that it will be in the near future. We have the privilege here of immersing ourselves in local culture and learning about both native and invasive plant life.
 Photo: Rachel Vellenga You will be picked up at Maui’s Kahului airport around noon on the first day of the trip and immediately driven to Hana, where we will stay for the first three nights. In Hana, we will have the opportunity to walk a dramatic, lava-built coastline, explore the town of Hana and travel to the Kipahulu area of Haleakala National Park. Our next destination is in the Honokawai area, where we will be based for seven nights. Work days will be alternated with ocean trips to observe humpback whales, a snorkeling excursion and some relaxation time. We will take Friday evening to explore the former whaling port of Lahaina, a town with many historical sites, now bustling with art galleries and other commercial endeavors. On the last morning of the trip, you will be transported back to the Kahului airport. It is suggested you schedule your departing flight for no earlier than 10 am. Additional information on this will be available from the leader after registration. Getting There In the winter months, travel from the mainland can be ‘uncertain’, due to weather. You might want to consider arriving a day or two early in order to guarantee your arrival by the trip’s starting time. The leader will be glad to share hotel information with you, as well as suggesting areas to visit which will not be included on our trip. Please do not make travel arrangements until the leader has confirmed you as a trip member.
In Hana, we will stay in a modest, large, family-style hostel with shared bathrooms. The hostel has a gathering area just off the kitchen and this will be our central meeting spot. In the Honokawai area we will be staying in several attractively furnished condominiums. There will be several group members assigned to each condo unit, with two participants sharing each bedroom. These units are designed for people who know each other well - there is not a lot of private space. One condo will be designated as the daily eating/meeting location. The Hawai'i sub-committee leaders pride themselves on the food they serve. Local products and recipes are very much a part of the menu. If you have any dietary restrictions, please discuss them with the leaders before signing up for this trip.
 Photo: Jerry Ruhling
This trip requires physical labor, involving weed cutting and digging on our work days in the Honokawai Valley. There will be bending, stretching, and pulling involved, all at your own pace. You should be able to hike up and down a moderate-to-steep incline, as the entrance into the valley is a switchback trail.
Long-sleeved shirts, boots, sunscreen, a day pack, water bottles and a sun hat are necessary. Mosquito repellent is a must! A more complete equipment list will be sent to participants.
Culiney, John, Islands in a Far Sea Daws, Gavin, Shoal of Time Kaufman, Gregory Dean, and Paul Henry Forestall, Hawaii's Humpback Whales Sohmer, S.H. and R. Gustafsen, Plants and Flowers of Hawaii Your local library may have other references. Conservation  Photo: Jerry Ruhling The Sierra Club sponsors outings so members may experience new places, people, and activities. Specifically, we aim to heighten awareness of the global environment and encourage participants to take action to protect our shrinking world and its inhabitants -- human and otherwise. On this trip, we will concentrate on water and on Maui's contentious water policies. We will also learn about Hawai'i's land conservation issues.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
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General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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Lynne Simpson has been volunteering in the National Outings program for 30+ years; the beauty of Hawai'I and the spirit of aloha still inspires her. In addition to crewing on Hawai'I trips, she leads for the international program and serves on the Club International Committee. Her other interests include print-making, cooking, swimming and hiking.
Melody Watral has been traveling to Hawaii on Sierra Club trips for almost ten years. The beauty of Hawaii and the song of the Humpback whales captured her heart long ago. She met her husband five years ago while cooking on a similar trip to Hawaii.