Neighbor Island Service Trips
At the Sierra Club, we live by the motto “Explore, Enjoy, Protect”. We believe that connection to the natural world helps us better understand, appreciate and protect the beautiful islands we call home. The Sierra Club is looking for volunteers of all ages and walks of life to be a part of our neighbor island service trips. These trips provide unforgettable opportunities to get outside and get involved, through projects that seek to preserve and maintain Hawaiʻi’s unique ecosystems. We work in cooperation with state, federal and private environmental agencies to plan and conduct service projects throughout the islands.
By joining us on one of our service trips, volunteers will get an opportunity to explore parts of Hawaiʻi not always accessible to the public, meet new people, and take part in preserving and protecting our natural spaces.
There are no upcoming trips at this time but click here to find a hike or service project near you.
FAQs:
What types of service projects are there?
There are many types of activities to be a part of! During a service trip, volunteers may work on native ecosystem restoration by removing invasive species, building/maintaining fences to keep out ungulates, and planting and maintaining native species in controlled areas where they will thrive. There are also trail work opportunities to provide safe and easy access to wilderness areas that can manage foot traffic and allow more of our communities to experience the great resources we have in our natural places.
Who can participate on a service trip?
Anyone with a love for Hawaiʻi’s wilderness areas, a willingness to work hard and be a team player, and an ability to live harmoniously with others in tight quarters and sometimes rugged conditions, is appreciated on our trips. In addition, participants must be in reasonable physical condition to work and live in the wilderness and still enjoy it.
Will I make a lasting difference?
Absolutely! We have been leading service trips since the 1960s, and with the help of our volunteers, we have maintained countless trails, planted thousands of trees, and most notably contributed to the successful restoration of the Hakalau Refuge. Over the course of 30 years, we have hosted approximately 650 volunteers who have helped remove 100 acres of invasive species and replanted 100 acres of native forest. Today, Hakalau is a thriving native ecosystem filled with native trees, birds, and plants. This is just one example of the incredible impact you will have by joining us on a service trip. Our volunteers are critical to the success of these projects and in helping to maintain Hawaiʻi’s natural beauty.
Who pays for a service trip?
Service trip fees vary depending on the trip but participants typically pay about $200 for their airfare on a neighbor island service trip. The Sierra Club tries to keep costs for participants down by fundraising and accepting donations to subsidize the costs of ground transportation, food, and other supplies. Although we try to pay for everything except airfare, costs may vary on each trip. Service trips in the past have also been sponsored by agencies such as the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, the National Park Service, and The Nature Conservancy.