VOLUNTEER
Volunteer Opportunities at Waimea Valley
Travelling pono means giving something back when you visit a new place. Donate your time at Waimea Valley! Sign up for one of our community volunteer days to learn about the Valley and help us mālama Waimea.
Our volunteer program follows the well-known ʻōlelo noʻeau (Hawaiian Proverb) “ma ka hana, ka ‘ike” (with the work, we learn). These opportunities are set up to inspire closer connections to the precious 'āina (land), holona (animals), lā‘au (plants), wai (freshwater), and traditional Hawaiian cultural practices that we honor and perpetuate. We share our knowledge and provide training to all volunteers, giving them a chance to learn and grow as they donate their time.
Public Volunteer Days
These events are open for members of the public to experience Waimea Valley’s service-learning program. Check out the volunteer calendar above for specific dates and reserve your spot.
Sign up for our monthly volunteer newsletter to receive updates on all the upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Public volunteers will be required to sign waiver forms that are provided on the morning of their event. We do not require volunteer applications for these events.
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Join us for an adventure and help us restore the native forest on the ridge above Waimea Valley. Hanai ‘aina workdays are from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. and include a 45-minute hike up to Kalahe’e Ridge. Participants must be at least 12 years old. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Volunteers must be able to stay for the entire event. An RSVP is required.
Check out the volunteer calendar above for specific dates and reserve your spot.
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Mālama means to care for and māla means garden.
Come help us tend to the 53 gardens of Waimea Valley. Each Malama Mala morning will focus on a specific garden. The workday will include a brief introduction about some features of the garden or the region.
The workdays are from 9am-12:30pm. Potential tasks include removing unwanted plants and invasive species, cleaning and straightening botanical signs, deadheading, and removing excessive, fallen, or dried, dead leaves and fronds.
Check out the volunteer calendar above for specific dates, and to reserve your spot!
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‘Ohana Volunteer Days are volunteer workdays where the project and location are appropriate for participants of all ages. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. An RSVP is required as space is limited.
Check out the volunteer calendar above for specific dates and reserve your spot.
Annual events
Join us for Earth Day and Make a Difference Day at Waimea Valley! Both events include various volunteer projects, and the opportunity to connect with other local organizations.
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Saturday, April 20th.
Join us for Earth Day at Waimea Valley! We have several volunteer service projects and fun activities in the Valley. .
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Saturday, Oct. 26th
Every year we bring all the volunteers together for one big day of volunteering and fun in the Valley.
Exclusive Group Projects
Groups are welcome to sign up for our public volunteer days and annual volunteer events; however, it is particularly fun to sign up for an exclusive group project designed specifically for your organization. Exclusive group projects are open to private businesses, schools, civic clubs, teams, non-profits, and any other organizations that are looking for service opportunities. We work with volunteer groups of all ages, interests, and abilities.
Projects can be arranged with the volunteer coordinator and are typically scheduled 3-6 weeks in advance. Not only will groups get the satisfaction of making a lasting impact, but they earn free admission on their day of service.
We have many groups that return regularly, some visit yearly and some return as often as twice a month. We also have a group that adopted their favorite garden and come in once a month to maintain it.
If you are interested in an exclusive group project or in adopting a garden, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteers@waimeavalley.net, or phone at (808) 638-5855.
Adopt a Garden Program
We have a new, special program where organizations can adopt and care for their very own garden in Waimea Valley. If you adopt a garden, your organization will have its name posted at the garden and will be recognized in Waimea Valley’s external communications. This is an excellent way for your business or organization to earn recognition by demonstrating a commitment to the community.
If you are interested in adopting a garden, please contact Executive Director Richard Pezzulo by phone (808) 638-5851 or email RPezzulo@WaimeaValley.net
Mahalo to the North Shore Outdoor Circle, who have adopted our Ginger and Heliconia Garden!
Individual Long Term Opportunities
Individual, volunteer opportunities are best for people who are interested in making a long-term impact in Waimea Valley and have the time to commit to at least one or two days a week. You would be a regular part of Valley operations and have a set schedule.
To join the volunteer team as an Individual, please fill out the volunteer application form and register with the volunteer coordinator. Registered volunteers are given a choice of different departments and projects to get involved with. Individual volunteer opportunities include hospitality ambassadors/greeters, Docents, botanical assistants, facilities maintenance, office assistants, special events support, and conservation team members. We provide training and the opportunity to learn from and connect with our incredible staff. This program is meant for adults, but minors may join our team if a parent or legal guardian accompanies them.
Please review the list of individual volunteer opportunities to determine your area of interest.
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Ambassadors play a vital role at Waimea Valley. As the first and last people to welcome our guests at the main entrance, Ambassadors give guests a great first impression and leave a fond, lasting memory of Waimea Valley. As an Ambassador, volunteers are provided with opportunities to continually deepen their knowledge of the cultural and environmental significance of the Valley, while simultaneously strengthening their outreach and public speaking skills.
Desired skills and abilities:
Be able to express aloha
Outgoing and comfortable talking to strangers
Familiar with botanical, cultural, and ecological highlights of Waimea Valley (helpful)
Understand and represent the mission of Hi'ipaka/Waimea Valley
Available on a long-term, weekly basis. -
Docents are an important part of the educational side of Waimea Valley. Their focus is on sharing the many wonders of the Valley and engaging with the visitors through talks, demonstrations, and tours. There are three types of Docent: Cultural, Botanical, and general. The cultural docents work with the cultural team to maintain cultural sites and share the cultural history and significance of Waimea. The botanical docents highlight and share the amazing plants that grow in Waimea. General docents do a combination of the above.
Desired skills and abilities:
Be able to learn and retain information
Outgoing and comfortable talking to strangers
Familiar with botanical, cultural, and ecological highlights of Waimea Valley (helpful)
Background in education (helpful)
Available on a long-term, weekly basis. -
Home to over 5,000 species of plants from throughout the globe, Waimea Valley’s botanical garden collections are legendary. The work involved in maintaining our world-class botanical gardens requires attention and care from both dedicated staff and volunteers. Responsibilities include watering, potting, preparing soils, weeding, pruning, mulching, and general plant maintenance.
Desired skills and abilities:
Comfortable kneeling and bending
Comfortable lifting light to moderate objects and tools (i.e. shovel and potted plants)
Moderate physical fitness
General knowledge of gardening and botany is very helpful. -
Help us maintain Waimea’s grounds and facilities through projects such as painting railings, benches, picnic tables, and more.
Desired skills and abilities:
Comfortable kneeling and bending
Comfortable lifting light to moderate objects and tools (i.e. shovel and potted plants)
Moderate physical fitness. -
Provide general administrative assistance that requires attention to detail and organization (i.e. filing, computer-based tasks, and mailings).
Desired skills and abilities:
Comfortable kneeling and bending
Comfortable lifting light objects
Organizational, written, and verbal skills
Works well independently and as part of a team
Interpersonal skills
Comfortable working with web and online search engines
Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, including Outlook, Word, and Excel. -
Nearly all of our special events throughout the year require the assistance and expertise of volunteers in order for the events to be successful. Because most of our events take place in the evening or on weekends, special events offer flexibility in scheduling. Volunteer duties vary by event but may include traffic control/parking, concessions, and greeting guests.
Desired skills and abilities:
Interpersonal skills
Works well independently and as part of a team. -
Our conservation program is focused on restoring native forest land and maintaining the habitats of the endangered plants and animals that we protect. Join our Waimea Valley team and be part of the ongoing effort to improve the ecology of the Valley. Volunteer activities include clearing out invasive weeds, planting natives, and native seed collection.
Desired skills and abilities:
Moderate physical fitness
Comfortable hiking uphill along the mountain ridge.