Photo: Melody Watral Sun, Service and Whales, Maui, Hawaii Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 09402A Price: $1,975 Deposit: $200 Capacity: 12 Leader:
The Trip  Photo: Melody Watral
This outing will focus on two activities: service and whale-watching. Our
service project takes place in Maui's Honokowai Valley, site of a farming community
that
was active between 1400 and 1900. Once considered the "breadbasket" of
the Kaanapali region, the valley is now home to a huge archaeological site that
bears witness to the scientific, engineering, and cultural competency of the
ancient Hawaiian community. As our sponsor, Ed Lindsey says, "Honokawai
is a place of learning, healing, and beauty".  Photo: Melody Watral The valley is now protected through a trust by Maui Cultural Lands, Inc., which works to safeguard historic sites on the island. After it has been stabilized, the area will be used as an educational center, where visitors can learn about ancient Hawaiians' sustainable systems for food, clothing, and shelter. We will have the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the local culture and learn about both the native and invasive plant-life of Hawai'i. Our other focus will be on humpback whales, frequent visitors to the waters off Maui during the winter months. These giants come to Hawai'i between November and April to breed, give birth, and rest before returning to Alaskan waters to feed during the summer months.
 Photo: Melody Watral You will be picked up at Maui's Kahului airport at around noon on the first day of the trip, and immediately driven to Hana, where we will stay for the first three nights. In Hana you will have the opportunity to walk a dramatic, lava-built coastline and explore the Kipahulu area of Haleakala Naitional Park. We may be involved in a one-day service project during our Hana time. Our next destination is in the Honokawai area, where we will be based for seven nights. We will intersperse work days with an ocean trip to observe humpback whales, a snorkel excursion and some relaxation time! At the end of our stay in the Honokawai area, you will be transported back to the Kahului airport. We suggest that you schedule your departing flight for no earlier than 10:00 a.m. on the final day of the trip. Getting There In the winter months, travel from the mainland can be "uncertain," so
you might want to consider arriving a day or two early in order to guarantee
your arrival by the trip's starting time. The leader will be glad to share
hotel information with you. Do not make any travel arrangements until you
have spoken
to the leader and been confirmed as a trip member.
In Hana, we will stay in a modest, large, family-style hostel with shared bathrooms. The hostel has a gathering area just off the kitchen and this will be our central meeting spot. In the Honokawai area we will be staying in several attractively furnished condominiums. There will be several group members assigned to each condo unit, with two participants sharing each bedroom. These units are designed for people who know each other well - there is not a lot of private space. One condo will be designated as the daily eating/meeting location. The Hawai'i sub-committee leaders pride themselves on the food they serve.
Local products and recipes are very much a part of the menu. If you have any
dietary restrictions, please discuss them with the leaders before signing up
for this trip.
This trip requires physical labor, involving weed cutting and digging on our work days in the Honokawai Valley. There will be bending, stretching, and pulling involved, all at your own pace. You should be able to hike up and down a moderate-to-steep incline, as the entrance into the valley is a switchback trail.
Culiney, John, Islands in a Far Sea Daws, Gavin, Shoal of Time Kaufman, Gregory Dean, and Paul Henry Forestall, Hawaii's Humpback Whales Sohmer, S.H. and R. Gustafsen, Plants and Flowers of Hawaii Your local library may have other references. Conservation  Photo: Melody Watral The Sierra Club sponsors outings so members may experience new places, people, and activities. Specifically, we aim to heighten awareness of the global environment and encourage participants to take action to protect our shrinking world and its inhabitants -- human and otherwise. On this trip, we will concentrate on water and on Maui's contentious water policies. We will also learn about Hawai'i's land conservation issues.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Leader:
Commissary:
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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Melody Watral has been traveling to Hawaii on Sierra Club trips for almost ten years. The beauty of Hawaii and the song of the Humpback whales captured her heart long ago. She met her husband five years ago while cooking on a similar trip to Hawaii.
Lynne Simpson has been volunteering in the National Outings program for 30+ years; the beauty of Hawai'I and the spirit of aloha still inspires her. In addition to crewing on Hawai'I trips, she leads for the international program and serves on the Club International Committee. Her other interests include print-making, cooking, swimming and hiking.