On-going opportunities to get involved in management in the greater Kohala and North Kona area.
​

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic many events have been canceled until further notice.

Ala Kahakai Trail Association: The Ala Kahakai Trail Association hosts a community hike along the trail once a month. These events are an amazing opportunity to learn about significant archaeological, historical, and cultural information about the wahi pana of Hawaiʻi Island. Please contact La Crivello if you are interested in receiving updates on when and where these hiking events will take place.

Eyes of the Reef:
The Eyes of the Reef Network (EOR) is a community reporting network for coral disease and bleaching; marine invasive species; crown-of-thorn seastars and fish diseases. It serves as a statewide reporting system that enables community members and ocean users to report unusual reef conditions and contribute to the long-term protection of our local reefs.  Are you observing coral bleaching, possible disease, or invasive species in your areas?  Please send EOR a report here.  Interested in learning more about Hawaiʻi's coral reefs?  Please visit our website.

Hawaiʻi State Parks: ​
​Hawaiʻi’s State Park System is composed of 51 parks encompassing approximately 30,000 acres on the 5 major Hawaiian Islands. These parks offer a variety of outdoor recreation and heritage opportunities. The park environments range from landscaped grounds with developed facilities to wildland areas with trails and primitive facilities. Their conservation efforts on Hawaiʻi Island include the restoration of anchialine pools within several parks on the island. To get involved in helping with the removal of sand or invasive fish, please contact Dena Sedar. 

Hawaiʻi Wai Ola: Hawaiʻi Wai Ola is a group of water quality champions that is dedicated to measuring and sharing the status of Moku O Keawe’s ocean water. Comprising community member volunteers, scientists, government and non-government organizations, Hawaiʻi Wai Ola recognizes the value of a clean ocean for all of Hawaii's residents, visitors, and natural resources. Our goal is to improve Hawaii Island's coastal water quality through science, communication, and collaboration to accelerate positive change. To volunteer please contract Erica Perez, Project Manager.

Hui Aloha Kīholo: Hui Aloha Kīholo is a non-profit whose mission is to protect, perpetuate, and enhance the cultural and natural landscape of the Kīholo Bay area through collaborative management and active community stewardship. They are actively recruiting volunteers for various projects along this beautiful coastline including anchialine pool restoration and ‘auwai (fishpond channel) repairs as necessary. For more info on how to get involved go to their contact page or check out their website.
​

Keep Puakō Beautiful:  This volunteer group that based out of Puakō is a branch of Keep Hawaiʻi Beautiful. They coordinate regular beach cleanup efforts in the region. For more info about this event and more, please contact Cynthia Ho.
​

Kohala Watershed Partnership: A group that is committed to “Working together to protect and sustain the forest, the water, and the people of Kohala Mountain.” They work on a variety of restoration projects in Kohala including one at Pelekane Bay, South Kohala. For more info about this or other fieldwork or volunteer opportunities, please contact them at info@kohalawatershed.org or visit their website.

Hawai'i Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO): HWMO is a non-profit organization that works statewide but was originated in Waimea on Hawaiʻi Island. Their mission is "To serve as a hub of wildfire prevention, mitigation, and planning activities in the Hawaiʻi-Pacific region through proactive, collaborative, and forward-thinking projects".  HWMO supports community initiatives to reduce wildfire risk around the state. To get involved or learn how you can reduce your risk of fire, visit HWMO's website or email their team.   
​

Mālama Kai Foundation (MKF): The Mālama Kai Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to ocean stewardship in Hawaiʻi through community service and public education. For more than 25 years, we have implemented and sponsored projects that help conserve Hawaiʻi’s coastal and marine resources and educate the public about these resources. We partner with government agencies, local businesses, and conservation organizations to accomplish significant projects to protect Hawaiʻi's nearshore waters and ecosystems. One of the best known was obtaining funding, assisting with the installation, and maintaining Hawaiʻi’s day-use mooring buoy system. We are also known for our Ocean Warriors Program. Since 2008, more than 620 youth have been exposed to some portion of the Ocean Warriors curriculum. To learn more on how to get involved visit their website.

Pua Ka ‘Ilima ‘O Kawaihae Cultural Surf Park: The non-profit corporation known as Pua Ka‘ilima Cultural Surf Park Inc. was dedicated to develop and protect this area on 1.4 acres of coastline at the Kawaihae Breakwater. Funded not by taxpayers’ money but rather with community and foundation support, the park will be developed to afford unrestricted ocean access, for local people and visitors in phases over the next several years. For more info on the surf park, or to make a tax-deductible contribution towards its development, visit their website at http://www.surfpark.org/ about.html.
​

The Kohala Center: The Kohala Center is an independent research, education, and ‘āina stewardship nonprofit for healthier ecosystems. We turn ancestral knowledge and research into action to improve the conditions that lead to stronger relationships with our food, water, place, and people. For more info on how to get involved with our Hoaʻāina Stewardship Days or join our team of ReefTeach community stewards at Kahalu‘u Bay, visit their website.

​

​The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
Kiholo Fishpond Restoration:
Ka Loko o Kīholo is a 3.5 acre loko iʻa (fishpond) located at the north end of Kīholo Bay managed by TNC. Together with community partners and volunteers, TNC has been working to restore the fishpond through community workdays. All ages are welcome and workdays are followed by a potluck lunch and talk story session. For more info on how to get involved contact Barbara Seidel or check out TNC's website.

The Waikoloa Dryland Forest Initiative (WDFI): 
The Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative is a nonprofit working to protect, promote, and restore native Hawaiian dry forest. Volunteers are invited to get involved at the Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve through native tree planting and seed collection on the second and fourth Saturday of each month. Plan your visit, find more information or sign up to volunteer on WDFI's website.