14 Local Residents Become Haleakalā Trail Guardians

Trail guardian group. Photo courtesy Haleakalā National Park.

By Maui Now Staff

Fourteen local residents recently completed training to become Kiaʻi Ala Hele or Trail Guardians at Haleakalā National Park on Maui.

The volunteers will hike popular trails in the Summit District to help visitors discover Haleakalā.

The training included safety, radio communications, park resources, visitor services, and Leave No Trace wilderness education topics.

Under the pilot program, volunteers commit to six hours per month for a minimum of six months.

The next Kia`i Ala Hele training session is planned for late 2014 or early 2015.

The program is funded by the Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association, a non-profit partner of Haleakalā National Park.

“This pilot program will help build stronger relationships between the park and local residents, while also educating visitors on the unique resources and importance of Haleakalā,” said Chief of Interpretation Polly Angelakis in a press release statement.

“If successful, our goal is to offer one or two Kiaʻi Ala Hele training sessions each year, bringing in even more local residents to volunteer in the park and giving visitors more opportunities to learn about this amazing place,” she said.