GIVE Hawaii: Environmental, Cultural, & Marine Conservation

I am so grateful for my second trip with GIVE Volunteers on the Big Island Hawai’i. The people of Hawai’i have endless stories to tell that most people will never hear (or listen to). I’ll never forget the moment after a beach cleanup with the Hawaiian Wildlife Fund, when a local told us, “You have two eyes two ears and one mouth…what that means is you should look and listen twice as much as you speak.” As he spoke, he looked over his ancestors’ land while the powerful waves of Kawa Bay crashed behind him. Our guides taught us just a few Hawaiian words, but the one that resonated with many of us throughout the trip was mana. Mana is the universal life force that moves through everything, and it is deeply powerful on this island. Mahalo nui loa to our wonderful trip guides, for their open hearts guiding us on this once-in-a-lifetime experience. And of course, I could never forget to mention the loving ohana of my fellow volunteers—these are the most wonderful, like-minded people all dedicated to our work each and every day.

My experience with GIVE was truly amazing. Leading up to my trip to Hawaii, GIVE communicated clearly and consistently, making sure we knew exactly what needed to be done to ensure everything went smoothly. They responded to emails and texts promptly and were always friendly and supportive. My time in Hawaii was life-changing. I learned so much and came home feeling completely fulfilled. The guides were incredible and made everyone feel comfortable and included. I formed lifelong connections and am incredibly grateful for the opportunity. I would highly recommend going on a trip with GIVE. It was, without a doubt, the best week of my life.