Green experiences and events on the Islands of Hawaii
The islands are all about to need to preserve and renew and this April the Aloha State will be hosting several activities, events, and exchanges in honor of Mother Earth.
Island-wide Earth Month
More than just a day, Hawaii celebrates Earth Month. The entire month of April is now on the calendars as a volunteer month. Passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Governor Ige in 2022, the campaign is now in its second year. The organization Kanu Hawaii is the largest state-level celebration in the United States. Sign up at: https://www.kanuhawaii.org/volunteer-month-hawaii/ You can search for needs on the island of your choice at: https://www.kanuhawaii.org/needs/ There are beach cleanups, forest plantings, wildlife rescue and care, gardening insights, and galas.
Kiai Collier of Hawaii Land Trust and volunteers walk out of the water in west Maui after a clean-up. Photo: Heather Goodman/Hawaii Tourism Authority
Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts, Island of Hawaii
Stop by the resort to swap your harmful sunscreen for reef-safe products. To honor Earth Day, Honua Hawaiian Skincare is partnering with Mauna Lani’s Kainalu Ocean Sports team to host the SPF Swap on April 22. Residents and visitors are invited to stop by the resort that day to exchange sunscreens containing harmful chemicals such as Oxybenzone and Octinoxate for Honua Hawaiian Skincare’s reef-safe MALU Day Cream, broad spectrum SPF 30. A percentage of proceeds from MALU sales benefits Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii, a nonprofit dedicated to keeping our oceans clean and inspiring communities to practice coastal stewardship. For more information, call (855) 550-5008.
Mauna Lani Beach along the Kohala Coast on the Big Island is the location of the Mauna Lani Resort. Photo: ekash/iStock
Haleakala National Park, Maui
National Park Week kicks off on Earth Day on April 22 with no entrance fees to Haleakala National Park for all visitors. Sunrise reservations are still required to enter the Summit District from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. Contact recreation.gov. There’s a volunteer clean-up from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Help clean up the House of the Sun and participate in a drop-in trash clean up at the Haleakala Visitor Center at 9,740 feet. Join a park ranger for a special Earth Day program at Hosmer Grove to learn about your role in protecting the planet. The program starts at 2 p.m. If you can’t make it to any outings then you can explore the park online with Earth Day everyday activities, and learn more about endangered forest birds in the short film The Heart of Maui.
The rare and sacred landscape from the Haleakala National Park in Maui. Photo: iStock
Waikiki Aquarium, Oahu
The Mauka to Makai Environmental Expo takes place on Saturday, April 15, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Presented by the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Facility Maintenance, the Hawaii State Department of Health Clean Water Branch, and the Waikiki Aquarium will promote the importance of keeping Hawaii clean and free of pollution, from the mountaintops to the ocean. It’s a free, family-friendly event. For info: https://www.waikikiaquarium.org/interact/annual- events/mauka-to-makai-earth-day/
A beautiful Copper Band Butterflyfish swimming in the Waikiki Aquarium in Oahu. Photo: Wirestock/iStock
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, Oahu
Join the Bishop Museum of Science & Sustainability Festival which brings together museum scientists, educators, cultural practitioners, and community partners to highlight the ongoing work needed to protect biodiversity and build a sustainable future in Hawaii. For more info: https://bishopscience.org/
The Bishop Museum on Oahu has exhibits on the cultures of the Pacific region of Hawaii and Polynesia. Photo: 7maru/iStock
