The Big Island has more volunteer programs open to visitors than most people realize, and several ask for nothing more than a free Saturday morning. Others offer accommodation and a small daily stipend in exchange for 8 to 12 weeks of field work.
This page covers ten programs run by established organizations: the National Park Service, the Sierra Club, the Kohala Center, and several independent nonprofits. Most are open to visitors with no prior experience. Commitment ranges from one Saturday (the humpback whale count) to a multi-week hawksbill turtle monitoring assignment on a remote beach.
One practical note: most programs require advance registration, and several run on fixed seasonal schedules. Check the program links before you book your trip around a volunteer day.
for a longer list, see Volunteer ally and the GoHawaii volunteering page.
Volunteer on other islands: have a look at our thoughts on ecotourism on Hawaiʻi to learn about volunteering and ecotourism experiences on Maui, Kauaʻi, and Oʻahu.
Humpback Whale Count: Volunteer for One Saturday
Volunteer on the Big Island, Oʻahu or Kauaʻi for the humpback whales of Hawaii on each last Saturday of January, February and March for the sanctuary ocean count.
Residents and visitors team up for four hours to volunteer and make the world a better place! During the ocean count you will be counting whales and register their behavior together with a group of volunteers.
Read more about volunteering and saving the whales on Hawaii.
Volunteer to restore the Hilo wetlands
The ‘Āina Hoʻōla Initiative helps to restore the wetland habitat for endemic waterbirds that are endangered or threatened at Lokowaka, Kiʻonakapahu and Akahi fishponds in Hilo, Hawaiʻi. They organize a community volunteer day one Saturday a month that involves removing invasive non-native plants and replacing the area with native ones. Visitors are very welcome!
Volunteer dates and more information can be found on the ʻĀina Hoʻōla Initiative website.
Join the ʻĀina Hoʻōla Initiative and take a hands-on role in restoring the beautiful wetlands of Keaukaha. Image credit: ʻĀina Hoʻōla Initiative website.
Volunteer at the Volcano Art Center
The Volcano Art Center organizes forest work days every third Sunday of the month. You can also help them out with site and trail maintenance, and much more. Apply at the volunteering section of their website.
Volunteer at the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Occasionally Friends of Hakalau Forest organizes volunteer service trips. These trips could be out-planting of native trees, working in the native plant greenhouse, or annual cleaning of the volunteer cabin, or possibly interior or exterior painting of cabins, or other work.
Volunteer at the Kahaluʻu Bay Education center
The Kohala Center has entered into a ten-year agreement with the County of Hawai‘i to establish a learning center (the Kahalu‘u Bay Education Center) at Kahalu‘u Beach Park. Kahalu‘u Bay Education Center offers a unique visitor education experience: one that teaches respect and reverence for the natural and cultural resources of Kahalu‘u Bay.
You can help them out by volunteering to become a reef teacher, a citizen scientist or a KBEC volunteer, and you can also “Adopt-a-Day ” at Kahaluʻu bay.
Volunteer at the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club protects and restores Hawaii’s native habitats, prevents the introduction and spread of alien species, and cleans up coastal pollution. Help the Sierra Club make the world a better place.
Hawksbill Turtle Monitoring: an 8 to 12 Week Commitment
Saving the hawksbill turtles requires an 8-12 week commitment and long, strenuous work! This is not something to do “on your day off”, but will give you a lifetime experience. Your tasks include watching over nests, protecting them against predators, and tagging and helping hatched turtles. Accommodation and a small daily stipend are provided.
You can find more information on the volunteering section of their website.
Volunteer at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (NPS VIP Program)
Be a V.I.P (Volunteer in Park) and help the National park protect some of the most treasured natural and cultural resources in America. You can find more information on the volunteering section of their website and/or by watching the 5-minute video below.
Volunteer with the Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (Nonprofit)
Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (FHVNP) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to “support the National Park Service in the protection, preservation, and interpretation of the natural and cultural resources at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park for the enjoyment of current and future generations”.
Volunteers can, for example, help out and restore the native forest, assist at field seminars or lend a hand at public events. More information at the volunteering section of their website.
Removing invasive species from the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Image credit: C. Johnson / FHNVP
Volunteer at the Puʻukohola Heiau National Historic Site
It is possible to volunteer for any amount of time that suits you: one hour, a day, a week, or longer. You can find more information on the volunteering section of their website.