[Return to Volunteer Main Page] Volunteer Opportunities Volunteer Opportunities Volunteers Up Close   Our volunteers are concentrated at the headquarters office in Kihei, Maui. However, volunteers also assist sanctuary staff at various community events on O`ahu, Kaua`i and the Big Island. Volunteer Training The volunteers here are wearing costumes to promote ocean awareness at a community event. People from all walks of life and educational backgrounds are welcome to volunteer. An orientation session is held each fall to prepare volunteers on Maui. On the islands of O`ahu and Kaua`i, formal volunteer programs are currently not available, however, interested individuals may contact the offices for information on upcoming events or various projects that they can assist with.   Benefits of Volunteering Volunteering for the National Marine Sanctuary is a great way to interact with the public by teaching visitors and residents about the marine environment while helping to protect the Hawaiian population of humpback whales and their habitat. Volunteers for the sanctuary program become Federal volunteers and are treated to various perks, such as volunteer appreciation luncheons, special guest lectures and an annual whale watch.   What You Can Do Volunteers assist in a variety of activities on Maui, O`ahu, Kaua`i and the Big Island. This includes participating in outreach programs for libraries, school groups and other community programs. On Maui, our newly refurbished Education Center plays host to many visiting school and community groups. Additionally, volunteers are trained to speak on numerous topics, including marine biology, the National Marine Sanctuary program and our historic native Hawaiian fishpond located near the Maui site. Volunteers also assist with our native Hawaiian plant garden, building facilities, and office work.   Other Opportunities The following are additional groups on Maui that have been formed from the existing volunteer program: Volunteers help to rebuild the wall of Ko`ie`ie Loko I`a, the native Hawaiian fishpond located at the Maui sanctuary site. `Ao `Ao O Na Loko I`a O Maui (Fishpond Association of Maui) This non-profit group was formed to protect, educate and refurbish the Ko`ie`ie Fishpond. The 3-acre native Hawaiian fishpond is the only remaining royal Hawaiian fishpond on the South Maui coastline. Volunteers work to educate the public about the fishpond while raising awareness and renovation funds. The volunteers have accomplished adding the fishpond to the national and state registers of historic places. For more information, contact Sheila Ople at (808) 874-5718 or smo@mauigateway.com.   An endangered honu (green sea turtle) hatchling. (Photo: Suzanne Canja) Turtle Stranding Network In April 2000, the sanctuary partnered with the National Marine Fisheries Service to develop the Turtle Stranding Network for the Kihei area of Maui. Volunteers are on-call to respond to any distressed or deceased turtles along the shore between Ma`alaea to Makena. For more information, contact (808) 879-2818.       The Education Center on Maui was transformed from a dilapidated storage room to a colorful community center, thanks to the sanctuary's dedicated volunteers. Sanctuary Education Center The sanctuary and its volunteers have created a functional, interactive Education Center that is open to the public throughout the week. The center serves to help educate residents and visitors about the humpback whale and the sanctuary. In addition, various lectures and guest speakers are hosted in the Center each month. Volunteers spend their time educating visitors and providing them with general information which in turn, creates a great opportunity for volunteers to meet new people. Hours for the Education Center are: Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.     For More Information On Maui: Patty Miller, Maui Programs Coordinator Phone: (808) 879-2818 E-mail: patty.miller@noaa.gov On O`ahu: Christine Brammer, O`ahu Programs Coordinator Phone: (808) 397-2651 ext. 252 E-mail: christine.brammer@noaa.gov On Kaua`i: Jean Souza, Kaua`i Programs Coordinator Phone: (808) 246-2860 E-mail: jean.souza@noaa.gov On Hawai`i (Big Island): Justin Viezbicke, West Hawai`i Marine Conservation Coordinator Phone: (808) 327-3697 E-mail: justin.p.viezbicke@hawaii.gov   [top] Revised by the HIHWNMS web team on December 02, 2004. URL: http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/volunteer_program/volunteer_ops.html.