Group News: Hawaiʻi Island Group, Maui, and Oʻahu
Hawaiʻi Island Group
Hike Leaders Needed!
Do you love exploring the outdoors and sharing its beauty with others? The Sierra Club Hawaiʻi Island Group is looking for passionate individuals to join us as volunteer outings leaders!
Our outings leaders guide hikes and service projects that connect community members to the stunning landscapes of Hawaiʻi Island while fostering a deeper appreciation for mālama ʻāina. Whether you’re experienced in leading groups or simply eager to learn, we’ll provide the training and support you need to succeed.
Why become an outings leader?
Inspire others to cherish and protect Hawaiʻi’s unique ecosystems.
Enjoy opportunities to explore new trails and sites.
Build community with like-minded outdoor enthusiasts.
Together, we can make a difference—on the trail and for the planet. If you’re ready to step up and lead, we’d love to hear from you!
Email our outings chair, Diane Ware, at volcanogetaway@yahoo.com to learn more.
Let’s explore and protect Hawaiʻi together!
Maui Group
Upcoming Outings
Monday, January 20, 2025
Āhihi Kīna‘u to Anchialine Pools (C/E)
South Maui, 3 miles, moderate
Rare access to this protected area across the lava field, led by Jeff Bagshaw, Volunteer Coordinator of the DLNR for ‘Ahihi Kīna‘u. Jeff has a wealth of knowledge about the plant and animal life of this sensitive region. Meet at 8am at the Kanahena ("Dumps") parking lot. Bring water, sun protection (reef-safe), and footwear with toe protection and strong soles. Limit 15.
Leader: Rob Weltman, robw@worldspot.com
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Friday, January 24, 2025
Keauhou South Archaeological Hike (C/E)
South Maui (Keauhou), 3 miles
The southern area of Keauhou ahupuaʻa has massive stone walls, rare stepping stone trails, and other unusual features that we will explore with archaeologist Dr. Jeanne Schaaf and other knowledgeable guides. Rugged terrain. Be sure to wear long pants and sturdy footwear. All participants will need to fill out new waivers for 2025 - that will cover the entire year.
Leader: Lucienne de Naie, huelogrl@icloud.com and Jeanne Schaaf
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Saturday, January 25, 2025
Hiking and Yoga on the Kapalua Coastal Trail (E)
Kapalua, 3.5 miles
Join us for a Hiking & Yoga experience along the Kapalua Coastal Trail. This will be a 3.5 mile roundtrip hike along the shoreline with beautiful views of the ocean. Although we go through an old lava flow, this is a fairly easy walk with some uneven sections. As the sun is setting Meeyoung will lead a 30-minute all levels standing yoga practice...no yoga mat or props needed. We may practice on grass or rocks, so wear sturdy shoes (sneakers Ok). Bring snacks, sunscreen, hat, and any gear you may require. There are restrooms at each end of the walk. We will meet at the D.T. Fleming Beach Parking lot at 4:30pm.
Leader: Meeyoung Lepore, hikewithaloha@gmail.com
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Saturday, January 25, 2025
Hāmākua Mālama Service Outing (C/E/S)
Ha‘ikū, 2 miles
Help clear away abandoned rubbish from gulches in Ha‘ikū’s Hāmākua Coastal Preserve and re-plant native species. Tools, snacks, trash bags etc will be provided. Co-sponsored by Mālama Hāmākua
Leader: Lucienne de Naie, huelogrl@icloud.com
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Sunday, February 2, 2025
Waiakoa Loop Trail (E)
Polipoli, 4.5 miles
The trail begins at the hunter's check-in station on Waipoli Road near the top of the switchbacks. 4.5 miles is the total hike length. The trail travels north on the contour for 1 mile, switch back down 400' elevation, turns back south above the forest boundary and then switch back up 500' elevation to the starting point. The vegetation is mostly native scrub and grass, with some planted pines near the gate and extensive black wattle in the lower portion. There are excellent views in all directions. Wear bright clothing. Be aware that you may encounter hunters who are hunting off the trail. The trail was re-opened in April after damage from rains. There is a potential new trail on land now owned by the state (former ranch land) that goes from the Highway all the way up to Haleakala National Park. This is a beautiful trail.
Leader: Annie Schultz, acm_schultz@hotmail.com or (808) 344-6628
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Oʻahu Group
KHON2’s Empowered Hawaiʻi Highlights Sierra Club’s Restoration Efforts at Wāwāmalu Beach
By Reese Liggett, Oʻahu Group Outings Leader
KHON2 reporters Kelly Simek and Jeff Mikulina visited Sandy Beach on December 15 to connect with Suzan Harada and Reese Liggett, Outings Leaders for the Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi. The duo leads ongoing efforts to remove invasive plants and restore the coastline with native species. Their work helps these beaches recover from decades of off-roading, making them pristine habitats for Native Hawaiian plants and animals, as well as future generations of Hawaiʻi residents and visitors. Their passion for conservation highlights the importance of community involvement in addressing environmental challenges.
If you missed the segment on December 30, you can watch it online at Giving Back.
Thanks to Sierra Club activism, then-Councilmember (now Council Chair) Tommy Waters led the city to install a boulder barrier at Wāwāmalu Beach, a natural shoreline park just northeast of Sandy Beach. Since April 2021, four-wheelers have been kept out of the park, protecting the area’s delicate ecosystem.
In the years since, Sierra Club volunteers have completed 27 third-Sunday restoration outings, removing invasive grasses and planting native species to rejuvenate the coastline. You can join this meaningful effort next on Sunday, January 19, and make a direct impact in restoring and preserving this beautiful area.
Some of the 15 volunteers from December 15. Photo: Reese Liggett
Some of the collected, invasive buffelgrass ready for DPR pick-up. Photo: Reese Liggett
As the year comes to a close, Empowered Hawaiʻi celebrates the transformative work of organizations like the Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi. Whether through planting native species, clearing invasive plants, or cleaning coastlines, these collective efforts demonstrate how caring for the land can create a brighter, greener future for Hawaiʻi.
Join us in this important work and help protect our ʻāina for generations to come.
Upcoming Outings
Sunday, January 19
Wāwāmalu Beach Service Project
Help return Wāwāmalu Beach to its native/natural status after years of off-road abuse and inattention. Seed collection and sowing, as well as removal of invasive plants on tap. Personal pickaxes welcome. Bring closed-toe shoes/boots, gardening gloves, sunscreen and water flask (iced refill available, no plastic water available). Meet 9am at the southwest access area just off to the left from the northeast driveway to Sandy Beach. Google Maps calls it ”Sandy Beach Park Fishing”. Limited to 24 participants out of concern for the delicate planting environment. Participants under 18 require a parent or guardian. Please reserve your spot by emailing wliggett@twc.com.
Leaders: Reese Liggett and Suzan Harada
Sunday, January 26
Pālehua ʻElepaio Enclosure "Akupu" Service (S)
We will be clearing alien invasive plants like strawberry guava, watering, and outplanting native plants to restore the native habitat for the endemic Oʻahu ʻelepaio. Space is limited as we will be working in a sensitive area where the endangered native ʻelepaio is nesting and there are some native plants already growing which we don’t want to disturb or damage. We may hear and see some native ʻelepaio as we work in the area, so bring a camera as well. Bring gloves and hand tools for weeding alien plants if you have any. Pack water and a snack and definitely mosquito repellent. We plan to meet in Makakilo at 8:30am and finish by 1pm. Reservations required at least one week prior. Contact Clyde Kobashigawa, clydekobashigawa@hawaii.rr.com, for reservations with first and last name and phone number. Please indicate any person who is a minor. Co-leader Curtis Kawamoto.