Volunteer at Tipu Tipu

Tipu Tipu Restoration & Sustainability is a community-based organization dedicated to watershed restoration and native forest regeneration across the Hawaiian Islands. We believe that hands-on experience is one of the most powerful ways to reconnect people to the ʻāina, and our volunteer events are designed with that in mind. Whether you’re a longtime resident or new to the islands, there’s a place for you in this work.

Volunteer days take place at two locations on Maui. At our greenhouse and seed farm, generously hosted by Pacific Biodiesel Farm, volunteers help grow and care for native Hawaiian plants — from seeding and transplanting to harvesting seeds from species like Aʻaliʻi, Ilima, Maʻo, Milo, and Wili Wili. During the rainy season, we head into the field for out-planting events in the Wahikuli watershed on West Maui — a place whose name means “the noisy place,” reflecting the thriving forests, rivers, and birdlife that once defined this landscape. Together, we are working to bring that life back.

The stakes of this work are high. Hawaiʻi’s native dryland forests have been severely reduced by industrial agriculture and poor land management, leaving vast areas of exposed, erosion-prone soil. When stormwater crosses these barren landscapes, it carries sediment downhill and into the ocean, where it smothers coral reefs — identified by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health as the single greatest threat to nearshore water quality, and a priority issue in the state’s 2030 Coral Reef Strategy. West Maui watersheds like Wahikuli have been specifically called out as critical to restore. By replanting native trees, shrubs, and grasses, we stabilize sediment on the land, recharge freshwater aquifers, and reduce the brown water events that degrade our reefs. When the forest recovers, the entire system ecosystem begins to heal. Register and subscribe below to join us.

Volunteers at the Tipu Tipu Restoration field site

Upcoming Volunteer Days

Tipu Tipu is currently offering volunteer days at our native Hawaiian plant nursery and seed bank location in Māʻalaea, as well as volunteer events at Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, a priority conservation area and critical habitat for ʻalae keʻokeʻo (Hawaiian coot), the aeʻo (Hawaiian stilt), and other endangered migratory waterbirds.

Volunteer activities are led by our field biologists and include hands-on field restoration work related the care of our native Hawaiian saplings, shrubs, and grasses, invasive species management, and other field restoration fundamentals. Volunteers of all experience levels are welcome, and asked to bring a water bottle and hat / sun protection.

  • September 5th, 2026 8:00 AM–12:00 PM @ Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge

  • September 19th, 2026, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM @ Māʻalaea Native Plant Nursery

  • October 3rd, 2026 8:00 AM–12:00 PM @ Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge

  • October 17th, 2026, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM @ Māʻalaea Native Plant Nursery

  • November 7th, 2026 8:00 AM–12:00 PM @ Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge

  • November 21st, 2026, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM @ Māʻalaea Native Plant Nursery

  • December 5th, 2026 8:00 AM–12:00 PM @ Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge

  • December 19th, 2026, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM @ Māʻalaea Native Plant Nursery

Tipu Tipu Restoration and Sustainability Volunteers Working Together
Tipu Tipu Restoration and Sustainability Workforce Training Participants

Sign up to Volunteer

Fill out the form below to subscribe to our event opportunities.

Volunteer with Tipu Tipu

Join Tipu Tipu for a day of education, community engagement, and restoration at our seed farm and Hawaiian plant nursery, up in the Wahikuli Watershed, and at the Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge! Volunteer activities will involve native Hawaiian plant propagation and care, seed collection and saving, planting, invasive species management, scientific data collection, and more.

Participantʻs Information

All personal information received is used exclusively for the purposes of event sign up, communication, and with consent, email marketing. Tipu Tipu does not share or sell your data with anyone.
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Please note that the minimum age requirement to participate with Tipu Tipu is 16 years old. Your date of birth will be used to determine your eligibility for participation.
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If signing up on behalf of a minor, include the information of the minorʻs legal guardian below. Applications of minors without this information will be automatically rejected.
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Jon the Tipu Tipu mailing list to receive emails about all our upcoming volunteer days, and educational opportunities

Demographics (Optional and helps Tipu Tipu receive funding)

In accordance with DEI, demographic information shared does not affect your ability to participate with Tipu Tipu in any way. Tipu Tipu collects this information so that we can track who our educational initiatives are reaching, and work to improve the diversity and quality of our programs.
Are you a resident of the State of Hawaii?
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Release of Liability, Risk & Likeness

This Release and Waiver of Liability (the "Release") is executed by the "Volunteer", in favor of Tipu Tipu Restoration and Sustainability (TIPU), and all respective affiliates, directors, officers, trustees, employees, sponsors, donors, volunteers and agents (collectively, the "Released Parties"). I, the Volunteer, desire to work as a volunteer for TIPU without compensation and engage in the activities related to being a volunteer. I understand that my activities may include but are not limited to the following: working at TIPU offices and worksites; working in or for TIPU operations; loading and unloading materials; traveling to and from work sites, towns, or cities; consuming food available or provided; outdoor programs which undertake rehabilitation, preservation and/or conservation projects; other related activities; and other volunteer activities ("Activities"). I, the Volunteer, understand that my Activities may include work that may be hazardous to me, including, but not limited to, exposure to loud noises, dust, sharp tools, heights, environmental and natural hazards such as wild and sea animals, mosquitoes, ticks or other parasites, rodent-borne diseases, and harmful flora such as poison ivy or poison oak, weather-related hazards, such as extreme heat, cold, wind, snow, elevation, ice, and/or rain that may make working conditions more difficult. These and other conditions may cause or worsen certain illnesses, especially if I do not wear protective equipment, am exposed for extended periods of time, or have a pre-existing immune system deficiency. I, the Volunteer, hereby freely, voluntarily and without duress execute this Release under the following terms: Release and Waiver. In consideration of and in order to be allowed to participate in the Activities, I, the Volunteer, do hereby release and forever discharge and hold harmless the Released Parties and their successors and assigns from any and all liability, claims, demands, costs and damages of any kind, whether arising from tort, contract or otherwise, which I or my heirs, assigns, next of kin or legal representatives may have or which may hereinafter accrue, arise from, or are in any way related to my Activities with any of the Released Parties, including but not limited to personal injury, bodily injury, illness, property damage, loss or death, whether caused wholly or in part by the simple negligence, fault or other misconduct of any of the Released Parties or of other volunteers, other than their intentional or grossly negligent conduct. I understand and acknowledge that by signing this Release I knowingly assume the risk of injury, harm, damage and loss associated with the Activities. I also understand that the Released Parties do not assume any responsibility for or obligation to provide financial assistance or other assistance, including but not limited to medical, health or disability insurance in the event of injury, illness, death or property damage. I understand and acknowledge that children under the age of 18 are not allowed on TIPU 's worksites. Consent to Transportation and Medical Treatment. I consent to the use of first aid treatment and the use of generic and over the counter medications and treatments as directed by manufacturer labels, whether administered by the Released Parties or first aid personnel. In an emergency, I understand the Released Parties may try to contact the individual listed below as an emergency contact. If an emergency contact cannot be reached promptly, I hereby authorize the Released Parties to act as an agent for me to consent to any examination, testing, x-rays, medical, dental or surgical treatment for me as advised by a physician, dentist or other health care provider. This includes, but is not limited to, my assessment, evaluation, medical care and treatment, anesthesia, hospitalization, or other health care treatment or procedure as advised by a physician, dentist or other health care provider. I also authorize the Released Parties to arrange for transportation of me as deemed necessary and appropriate in their discretion. I, the Volunteer, do hereby release, forever discharge and hold harmless the Released Parties from any liability, claim, demand, and action whatsoever brought by me or on my behalf which arises or may hereafter arise on account of any transportation, first aid, assessment, care, treatment, response or service rendered in connection with my Activities with any of the Released Parties. Insurance. I understand that, except as otherwise agreed to by the Released Parties in writing, the Released Parties are under no obligation to provide, carry or maintain health, medical, travel, disability or other insurance coverage for any Volunteer. Each Volunteer is expected and encouraged to obtain his or her own health, medical, travel, disability or other insurance coverage. I understand that I am and remain responsible for payment of such hospital, physician, ambulance, dental, medical or other services obtained for me or my child. I agree that the Released Parties do not assume any responsibility for the payment of such fees or expenses which may be incurred. If I have health insurance, l understand my personal health insurance is my primary coverage. Photographic/Recording Release. I hereby grant and convey unto the Released Parties all right, title and interest in any and all photographs and video/audio/electronic recordings of me, including as to my name, image and voice, made by or on behalf of any of the Released Parties during my Activities with the Released Parties, including, but not limited to, the right to use such materials for any purpose and to any royalties, proceeds or other benefits derived from them. I understand that I will not have any ownership interest in or to such photographs, images and/or recordings, I have not been provided or promised any compensation to me, and I hereby waive any rights, privileges or claims based on any right of publicity, privacy, ownership or any other rights arising, relating to or resulting from the photographs, images and/or recordings. Other. I expressly agree that this Release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by state law. I further agree that in the event any clause or provision of this Release is held invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such clause or provision shall not otherwise affect the remaining clauses or provisions of this Release, which shall continue to be enforceable. Further, a waiver of a right under this Release by a Released Party does not prevent the exercise of any other right. I have carefully considered my decision, the benefits and risks involved and hereby give my informed consent to participate in all volunteer Activities. I have read and understand this Release and Waiver of Liability, any questions of mine have been answered, and I voluntarily agree to the above provisions. It is my intent to bind my heirs, next of kin, assigns and legal representative. I have carefully considered my decision, the benefits and risks involved and hereby give my informed consent to participate in all volunteer activities. I have read and understand this Release and Waiver of Liability, any questions of mine have been answered, and I voluntarily agree to the above provisions. It is my intent to bind my heirs, next of kin, assigns and legal representative.
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