Specializing in community-based cultural eco tours of Oahu, Hawaii - hiking, star gazing, storytelling and more...

He Ali‘i ka ‘Āina, he kauā ke kanaka-The land is a chief, the people, its servant

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Service Project Tours

For those interested in leaving Hawaii more beautiful than when they arrived. 

Hina Adventures can assist groups in creating a service project tour experience.  We work in collaboration with existing community organizations that function as caretakers for culturally-significant areas.  There's always lots of work that needs to be done, and help is always welcomed.

All of the below organizations offer regularly-scheduled volunteer days.  However, if you would like to learn about the area and culture as a part of the experience, then Hina Adventures can help.  Where possible, we can create Ahupua‘a tours - tours where the group learns about resource management in an entire land area, and how that particular land area was utilized in ancient times.  We will also provide information on the history and culture of Hawaii, along with the modern history of the area and current plans for restoration. 

These tours are offered upon request only for groups of 8 or more, and require at least 2 weeks advance notice to schedule.  Availability is dependent upon Hina Adventures' tour schedule as well as staff scheduling of these community organizations.  Please email us for more information.  (If you are an educational group and/or a local group, please note it in your inquiry.  Mahalo!)

Each of these organizations are non-profit, and gladly accept donations.  If you can't make it to a work day, please consider making a donation! 

‘Ahahui Mālama I Ka Lōkahi & Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club

Caretakers of Ulupō Heiau and Nā Pōhaku O Hauwahine in Kailua, ‘Ahahui and the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club work diligently to restore these significant areas.  Surrounding Kawainui Marsh, once a large fishpond that sustained a huge population, these cultural sites still permeate with mana (spiritual power) today.  These two organizations have put in many hours over the years with the help of literally hundreds of volunteers to restore these once neglected sites and turn them into the abundant landscapes we see today.   

Tours of these sites are offered by these organizations, and regularly-scheduled work days occur monthly.  If you are interested in any of these, please contact them directly. 

Hina Adventures designs our service project tours for those who wish to know more about Hawaiian culture in general, the entire land section we'll be working in, and provides additional stops throughout the day.  We offer a wealth of supplemental information in addition to what these organizations provide during their tours.  In most cases we also provide transportation, beverages and lunch.  For an example itinerary, please see our ahupua‘a ecotour page. 

Hawaii Nature Center

The Hawaii Nature Center provides outdoor education and experiences for Hawaii's schoolchildren.  Since their inception they have served over 800,000 children and adults, helping them to learn about our environment and resources.  Their main office is in Makiki, just a few minutes drive from Waikiki.  They also have remote locations on Oahu as well as Maui. 

Hawaii Nature Center offers several programs for children and adults, as well as tours and activities for guests.  They also have regularly-scheduled work days in which volunteers help to keep the site beautiful, keep the ever-growing forest trimmed, and maintain the native Hawaiian garden.  If interested, please contact them directly. 

Hina Adventures designs our service project tours for those who wish to know more about Hawaiian culture in general, the entire land section we'll be working in, and provides additional stops throughout the day.  We offer a wealth of supplemental information in addition to what these organizations provide during their tours.  In most cases we also provide transportation, beverages and lunch.  For an example itinerary, please see our ahupua‘a ecotour page. 

Ka‘ala Farms

Ka‘ala Farms is located in Wai‘anae valley, once known as the breadbasket of the dry leeward coast.  It was and still is the only valley in the immediate area with running streams.  Numerous archaeological remains dot the landscape, most of which are terracing for lo‘i (taro fields).  Only a small fraction of what was once there is being cultivated again, but this time the purpose is for education. 

Ka‘ala Farms staff most predominantly teach schoolchildren about water, the most valued resource in the often dry area.  Students also learn about kalo (taro), kapa (traditional cloth) and caring for natural resources. 

Tours of Ka‘ala Farms are not offered through their organization.  Work days are scheduled but limited to RSVP's only.  Hina Adventures has exclusive access to this site, and can provide tours - service project or simply cultural education - to this area.    For a cultural experience, see our Custom Storytelling & Sightseeing Tours page. 

Hina Adventures designs our service project tours for those who wish to know more about Hawaiian culture in general, the entire land section we'll be working in, and provides additional stops throughout the day.  We offer a wealth of supplemental information in addition to what these organizations provide during their tours.  In most cases we also provide transportation, beverages and lunch.  For an example itinerary, please see our ahupua‘a ecotour page. 

Paepae O He‘eia

Paepae O He‘eia administers He‘eia Fishpond, a restored ancient Hawaiian aquaculture site.  Hawaiians farmed fish for sustenance, and at one time fishponds surrounded the coasts of all islands. 

Today the site is used to teach people about resource management.  Paepae O He‘eia has successfully started cultivating fish once again, and has inspired numerous students to reconnect with their culture.  Another focus of POH is community-building.  It takes a village to run a fishpond, and they could not have the successes they've attained if they did not involve their community. 

Paepae O He‘eia does not offer tours of the site, but does on occasion accept group requests.  They have regularly-scheduled work days but numbers are limited to RSVP's only.  If you are interested in participating, please contact them directly. 

Hina Adventures does not have a formal collaboration with Paepae O He‘eia, but can help to arrange a group experience, both as simply a tour or as a service project tour. 

Hina Adventures designs our service project tours for those who wish to know more about Hawaiian culture in general, the entire land section we'll be working in, and provides additional stops throughout the day.  We offer a wealth of supplemental information in addition to what these organizations provide during their tours.  In most cases we also provide transportation, beverages and lunch.  For an example itinerary, please see our ahupua‘a ecotour page. 

For more information about any of the above organizations or for inquiries about a possible tour, please email us or call us toll free at 1-888-933-HINA (4462) or locally at (808) 499-9753.  

This page was last updated on Thursday, July 03, 2008.  Hina Adventures, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.