National Park Seeks Volunteers for Waele ma Haleakalā

Haleakalā Volunteers 2018. PC: NPS

Haleakalā National Park and the Pacific Whale Foundation are recruiting local volunteers for Waele ma Haleakalā, a twice-monthly invasive plant removal project.

Waele translates to weed, clear, or remove weeds. A deeper meaning is that by caring for the land, the land will take care of you.

The next Waele ma Haleakalā will take place on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018.

Volunteers will remove young pine trees and other small invasive plants from the Summit District. Transportation, training, hand tools, gloves, and other equipment will be provided.

Volunteers are asked to sign up by 7:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, by contacting the Pacific Whale Foundation at (808) 249-8811. Space is limited to 11 people.

Waele ma Haleakalā projects are scheduled on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Volunteers will receive a Hawai`i Tri-Park Pass after 12 volunteer hours (3 Waele ma Haleakalā projects), through a donation provided by the Hawai`i Pacific Parks Association.

This one-year pass covers admission to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Site, and Haleakalā National Park. Volunteers will also receive a volunteer t-shirt.

Volunteers will be picked up at Māʻalaea Harbor at 7:30 a.m. or at the main parking lot of the Pukalani Community Center at 8 a.m. Participants will work for three hours, visit the summit, and be dropped off by 3 p.m. Volunteers should bring water, snacks, and sun protection; wear sturdy shoes and dress in layers; and be prepared to hike on uneven surfaces.

Volunteers will pull out very young pines, saw down small older pines, or pull out other small invasive plants, such as evening primrose. Volunteers will work with park staff and a Pacific Whale Foundation certified naturalist.