Episode 114: Volunteer on Maui: Inside the Valley Where Ancient Hawaii Still Thrives with Maui Cultural Lands

Imagine walking through a lush, green valley in Maui, surrounded by ancient Hawaiian archaeological sites, hearing legends and stories from a native Hawaiian cultural practitioner.
As you work together with locals to remove invasive species and plant native trees, you gain a profoundly deeper appreciation for the land, the culture, and what aloha really means.
That’s what you’ll get when you join Ekolu Lindsey for a volunteer day with Maui Cultural Lands. Not only will you help preserve an incredibly sacred space, but you’ll form connections, understand values, and experience Hawaii in a way most visitors never do.
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As someone who obsesses over planning the perfect trip to Hawaii, discovering Maui Cultural Lands was a pivotal find for me. When my wife and I showed up at 9 AM on a Saturday morning to meet Ekolu and his mother Puanani, I had no concept of the perspective shift I was about to have.
Over the next 4 hours, we descended into the lush Honokowai Valley to learn first-hand from Ekolu about the history and significance of one of the most archaeologically rich valleys in Hawaii.
With impressive empathy and patience, Ekolu explained concepts like kupono, malama, and kokua that shape the Hawaiian mindset and worldview.
As we worked up a sweat removing invasive species and planting native trees, the stories Ekolu told transported us back centuries. We visualized how 600 native Hawaiians once lived prosperously in this valley.
We imagined the agriculture and aquaculture that sustained thousands more along Maui’s coastline. We felt the sadness and near loss of connection when colonization and industrialization exploited these lands.
Above all, we absorbed Ekolu’s model of perpetuating culture not with frustration but aloha – honesty, caring for life generationally, and helping wholeheartedly.
In just 4 short hours, volunteering with Maui Cultural Lands gave me and my wife more insight into authentic Hawaiian values than anything we’ve experienced before or since.
It cultivated a sense of kuleana (responsibility) in us to better understand the places we travel, engage respectfully with local culture, and give back however we can.
Key Discussion Topics
- The origin story of Maui Cultural Lands and mission to stabilize, protect, and restore Hawaiian cultural resources
- Why valleys like Honokowai held such importance for native Hawaiian communities as breadbaskets and sources of food sustainability
- The layers of meaning and history behind Hawaiian place names
- Perspectives on the pros and cons of reopening tourism in Hawaii post-pandemic
- Calls for more education of visitors on planes and rental car counters about respecting Hawaii’s natural resources
- Breakdowns of Hawaiian values like kupono, malama, and kokua that underpin the culture
- Expectations and logistics for visitors wanting to volunteer at Maui Cultural Lands
The experience I had volunteering with Ekolu and Maui Cultural Lands stirred my spirit in a way I’ll never forget. It cultivated a sense of connection, purpose, and appreciation for a place that goes far deeper than any beach, hike, or plate of food could offer.
I hope Ekolu’s wisdom and aloha in this conversation inspires you to not just consume experiences when you travel, but seek out opportunities to participate, understand, and give back.
Consider setting aside one morning of your trip to volunteer with Maui Cultural Lands and see the transformation it creates in you. Engage with Ekolu’s incredible knowledge.
Help remove destructive invasive species to allow native plants to regenerate. And become part of this profound movement to honor the land, the culture, and the future of Hawaii.
You’ll walk away far more enlightened, connected, and appreciative of what makes Hawaii so incredibly special.
Listen On:
Resources
Find out more about today’s guest…
- Maui Cultural Lands website
- Blog post: Thanksgiving in Hawaii
- Blog post: 9 Unique Ways to Volunteer on Kauai
Self-Guided Island Tours
- Episode 70 – How to Volunteer in Hawaii
- Episode 87 – How to Travel Responsibly to Hawaii
- Episode 35 – 5 Things to Not Do in Hawaii
Travel Pono (responsibly)
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Bumper music, Ukulele and Chill, provided by Coby G (used with permission)
Bumper music, Aloha Friday, provided by Clay D (used with permission)
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Bryan Murphy, owner of Hawaii’s Best Travel, is a certified Hawaii destination expert from the Hawaii Visitors Bureau. He actively participates in the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau as a member and has a strong educational background focused on local culture and sustainability. As the host of "Hawaii’s Best Travel," a top-30 US travel podcast, Bryan combines his years of experience with valuable insights. He connects with a broad online community, reaching nearly half a million people, and offers a richer, more responsible way to experience Hawaii.