Volunteer Programs Volunteer Opportunities Volunteers Up Close Sanctuary Ocean Count   The volunteers of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary are members of the community--residents, visitors, students and senior citizens. In 1994, the first group of volunteers appeared at the broken-down Maui office to offer their kokua (help) in renovating the building. The Maui sanctuary office, an old ionsphere station, was renovated by sanctuary volunteers. The new Maui sanctuary office after more than 3,000 hours of donated time and effort by sanctuary volunteers. During the first year alone, sanctuary volunteers logged more than 3,000 hours of donated time and effort. Since that auspicious beginning, they have surpassed all expectations and continue to amaze the staff with their dedication, energy and endless aloha. In 1997, we proudly saw several of our volunteers receive the prestigious National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Environmental Hero Award for outstanding services. Sanctuary volunteers work with staff at various events like this one at the Waikiki Aquarium. Activities often include games, craft activities and information distribution. Sanctuary volunteers contribute in a variety of ways including staffing outreach events, completing office tasks and hosting school groups and visitors at the Maui office's education center. The also give presentations on numerous marine-related subjects, including humpback whales, native coastal plants, marine life and the historic royal fishpond located at the Maui site. Some of our artistic volunteers have produced educational tools, such as a 6-foot-long whale puzzle and the popular "Whale of Fortune" trivia game. Others have helped with ground maintenance and improvements by refurbishing the new education center and erecting our flagpole. The Strength of the Sanctuary Comes from Its Volunteers "Our volunteers bring with them a lifetime of experiences, information and energy. They become the staff, our outreach program and the face and voice of the Sanctuary Program." --Allen Tom, NMSP Pacific Islands Region Superintendent "I grew up in the Kihei area and have witnessed changes over time to the Hawaiian coastline. I wanted to get involved to do something." --Gloria Adlawan, volunteer "There is a lot of work to be done and I enjoy being a part of the effort to save these magnificent, intelligent creatures" --Gordon Moore, volunteer [top] Revised by the HIHWNMS web team on March 02, 2007. URL: http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/volunteer_program/volunteer.html.