Preserving Paradise: Opportunities in Volunteering for Hawaii's Environment

By Kirsten Whatley

There are struggles to keep Hawaii's coastlines from being developed, and there are the tireless folks who wake up with fears of losing a cherished piece of wilderness, an underwater sanctuary, or one... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1597005789
• ISBN13: 9781597005784
• Release Date: August 2008
• Publisher: Island Heritage Publishing
• Length: 152 Pages
• Weight: 0.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.0" x 0.3" x 5.0"

Customer Reviews

Consider this an invitation...!

Ecotourism and "environmental voluntourism" often are mechanisms for encouraging people to exchange money for experiences related to environmental protection, habitat restoration, experiencing nature in its many forms, and experiencing new places and cultures. Preserving Paradise: Opportunities in Volunteering for Hawaii's Environment, has a simpler objective... to match people and projects in enhancing and protecting Hawaii's natural resources. Money is not a crucial link in the chain, but the passion and willingness to roll up your sleeves and work, is required. Author and compiler Kirsten Whatley states the book's purpose thusly: "Consider this an invitation, no matter your origin. Consider it a call to arms - and to hands and feet and backs and rakes and hoes and sweat. We all need a paradise to come home to. But we need to consider our impact on this paradise - more importantly, our responsibility to it. The opportunities in this book are one way to begin" (p. vii). Whatley outlines a number of environmental volunteer opportunities for the islands of Hawaii (14), Kauai (8), Maui (20), Molokei (1), and Oahu (16), along with a number of multi-island projects. Her focus is on projects that need people for just a few hours up to those projects that require a commitment of not more than three months. She includes a description of the need and the agency (in almost all cases a non-profit), the nature of the volunteer activities, how much advance notice is necessary in order to volunteer, the difficulty level of the activities, whether monetary donations are encouraged, and the complete contact information for the group's volunteer coordinator. I'm unfamiliar with many of these opportunities, so their description was of great interest. I have participated in Reef Check Hawaii training, and have volunteered with Friends of Hanauma Bay and Malama na Honu, and I was impressed at the congruence of my own experiences and Whatley's descriptions. And I know the Oahu Invasive Species Committee can really work its volunteers... when the author noted their difficulty level was a 5 (1 is low, 5 is high), I knew that Whatley was striving to make these listings as accurate (and thus not disappointing) as possible. The "Time Commitment" index outlines all projects based on the minimum time you are asked to volunteer: - a few hours to one day (51 groups) - a few days to a few weeks (6 groups) - at least one month (2 groups) - at least two months (8 groups) - at least three months (3 groups) - flexible time commitments (19 groups) There is something here for everyone. Mahalo nui loa to Kirsten Whatley for making this collection of activities available! Now go out and do good things!

The Must Have Guide for the Hawaiian Islands

This beautifully written book makes it easy for the average traveler to participate in caring for & exploring the Hawaiian islands. If you are looking for an adventure that takes you off the tourist map and into the Aloha Spirit, this book is a must have! I especially love the ease of finding contacts on all islands (the email addresses as well as phone #s). The personal quotes along with stunning photos of the places and volunteers make me feel like I could ring a group up and be welcomed immediately.

Inspiring!!

Preserving Paradise: Opportunities in Volunteering for Hawaii's Environment This wonderful resource book will inspire and motivate the reader, no matter where they happen to live. Although the book features opportunities in volunteering to preserve and protect the Hawai'i environment, Whatley's words will invoke your spirit and encourage you to volunteer in your own corner of the world. I recommend Preserving Paradise as a well-organized and easily-read resource for anyone who is so inclined to check out the volunteer opportunities presented. However, it goes "beyond paradise" reaching deep into our own consciousness about protecting our environment - be it Hawai'i or your own personal paradise. This book should be a must read for those considering a visit to Hawai'i. Even if you are not interested in volunteering, it will encourage you to be aware and to respect the delicate environmental balance of the Hawai'ian Islands.

A rich banquet of opportunities to succor preserving Hawaii's paradise.

Preserving Paradise is a gem of a book! As ecological consciousness grows this book shines offering numerous tangible opportunities for willing volunteers to partake in a healing relationship with the bounty and beauty of nature in Hawaii's idyllic settings. Whatley has written an admiring, comprehensive reference book with understanding and appreciation for the living world. The book is illustrated throughout with colour images and comes in an easily portable format.If you are seeking a transformative path, a wonderful chance to share in the care and renewal of the web of life then this book is a treasure trove of insights and ideas for you!