Haleakalā Joins in Largest Single-Day Volunteer Effort on Public Lands this Saturday

In celebration of the 26th annual National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, more than 150,000 volunteers across the country will join in trail maintenance and planting projects, trash pick-ups, and other activities to restore and care for our public lands.

Organized each year by the National Environmental Education Foundation, and nationally sponsored by Toyota Motor North America, National Public Lands Day is the largest single-day volunteer effort for U.S. public lands.

At Haleakalā National Park, all are invited to volunteer on Sept. 28 in the Kīpahulu District to mālama (to take care of) the park’s historic loʻi.  The loʻi, traditionally used to cultivate taro, is located above the bamboo forest near Waimoku Falls.

Volunteers can anticipate a 45-minute hike with 700 feet of elevation change starting from the Kīpahulu Visitor Center to the work site. Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn about the history of the loʻi and to assist in preserving it by pulling weeds with small hand tools. All participants should be prepared to get muddy. Volunteers should bring closed toed shoes, lunch, and plenty of water.

Due to limited space on the trail, this event is limited to 15 people. RSVP by Friday, Sept. 27 by calling the park’s Volunteer Coordinator at (808) 572-4487. The event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019 from 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Additional Information about National Public Lands Day:

• In 2018, NEEF estimates volunteers contributed 453,000 hours of service, valued at $11 million on National Public Lands Day.
• It is one of only five fee-free days for all national parks as well as many state and local parks.
• Learn more about National Public Lands Day at www.NEEFUSA.org/NPLD.
• To learn more about Haleakalā National Park, visit www.nps.gov/hale.