From January 10-14th, 2013 we took seven of our filmmaking students to the Wild & Scenic Film Festival in Nevada City, California to present their films!  We had an incredible trip full of films, friendly people, river rafting and snow!  We would like to thank South Yuba River Citizens League for inviting us to the festival and putting so much effort into making our students’ experience amazing.  We would like to thank Rivers for Change for taking our students rafting and teaching them about the Yuba River.  We would also like to thank all of you who donated to our student travel fund to help support their trip!

Every third Saturday the Surfrider Foundation Maui chapter, Positive H20, and Community Work Day plan a community beach clean-up at a different Maui Beach.  The clean-ups usually go from 8:30 to 12pm and include free lunch provided by a local restaurant. Please bring your own gloves (if you want) and a reusable water bottle that they can refill for you.  This is a fun way to help protect  Maui’s beaches and our ocean! For a list of upcoming events click here.

]]> http://www.mauihuliaufoundation.org/archives/3081/feed 0 http://www.mauihuliaufoundation.org/student-films http://www.mauihuliaufoundation.org/student-films#comments Fri, 06 Jul 2012 20:20:12 +0000 Malia Cahill http://www.mauihuliaufoundation.org/?p=2703 http://www.mauihuliaufoundation.org/student-films/feed 0 http://www.mauihuliaufoundation.org/archives/116 http://www.mauihuliaufoundation.org/archives/116#comments Fri, 27 Apr 2012 05:53:35 +0000 Malia Cahill http://www.mauihuliaufoundation.org/?p=2483 http://www.mauihuliaufoundation.org/archives/116/feed 0 http://www.mauihuliaufoundation.org/archives/116 http://www.mauihuliaufoundation.org/archives/116#comments Thu, 26 Apr 2012 23:14:55 +0000 Malia Cahill http://themes.themolitor.com/wpaid/?p=116

In April, 2012, Maui Huliau Foundation received a grant from the Hawaiʻi People’s Fund and the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation to begin a new environmental leadership internship for Maui students entering grades 10-12!  This program, Huliau Youth Leaders, represents a crucial next step for us in involving youth in our work and decision-making, and in building an inter-school network of Maui students who are interested in environmental protection and sustainability.  In the summer of 2012, students will be selected from all schools to participate in a 5 week leadership training. They will then meet throughout the 2012-13 school year to plan and implement student-led environmental projects. For program information and an on-line application (deadline May 11th), click here.

Back in 2010 when our little Maui-based non-profit was just a small team of volunteers with a dream to give Maui’s youth a voice in our island’s future, the Hawai’i People’s Fund gave us our first ever grant in support of our Huliau Environmental Filmmaking Club program! Therefore it seems very appropriate that they are now helping us to take our mission to the next level in the 2012-13 school year. We are honored to have their support, as well as the support of the Hawai’i Community Foundation who partners with funders throughout Hawai’i to support the amazing work of our non-profits.

THE NATURE CONSERVACY OF HAWAII– 

This volunteer outing encourages people from the Maui community or visitors to become involved in forest conservation efforts. Most trips are rugged, going into uneven terrain at high elevations. Weather is unpredictable, so come prepared (it’s not unusual to have rain in the ‘rainforest’). You should be in good physical condition, have a tolerance to variations in weather, and not be afraid to get dirty. Work is frequently off-trail, so a fair amount of ‘bushwacking’ is necessary to get around.

While the task is difficult, volunteers usually come away with a feeling of achievement. And they’ve had the opportunity to view intact ecosystems in ancient Hawaiian forests, sort of like stepping back in time to the Hawaii before the modern world caught up.

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a private, non-profit conservation organization with offices world wide. Our mission statement is “To preserve the plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.” 

We work with other conservation agencies and even businesses to enable all concerned parties to safeguard natural areas and native species for future generations.

WHAT: The task of these service trips usually involves removal of invasive plants (like wild ginger or pines) from nearly intact native Hawaiian habitat.

HOW: This can involve cutting, pulling, or digging (TNC supplies the gloves and tools), but your ability to spot these weeds is the real skill. Try identifying one plant species from dozens…

After training, volunteers feel they have gained a new talent.

Volunteers are shuttled to and from the work sites in TNC’s 4WD vehicles.

WHY: Native Hawaiian ecosystems have been rapidly disappearing over the last couple centuries. Disturbance from introduced ungulates (hoofed animals) has been drastic, and in its wake non-native aggressive plants have taken over. These foreign plants not only displace native plants, but disrupt other ecosystem functions such as food sources for native birds, host-specific relationships with native insects, and forest succession. From a utilitarian stance, environmental weeds are ‘water-hogs’, and they convert the multiple layers of Hawaiian forest structure to mono-cultures of aggressive plants. This degrades watershed function by reducing the ability of the forest floor to absorb and evenly release the heavy rainfall that occurs in these areas. Without the buffer of native ground covers, the watershed is subject to erosion and siltation which eventually smother coral reefs and coastlines.

Working to stop these weeds from claiming new ground is indeed an accomplishment!

WHEN: Third Saturday of each month for larger groups (exact date subject to participants), meeting at 8:00AM and returning around 4 PM. Occasional weekdays are available depending on schedule.

WHERE: At The Nature Conservancy Office parking lot, in Pukalani Square Shopping Center, 81 Makawao Ave. If coming up Haleakala Hwy. (route 37), turn right at Makawao Ave. traffic signal (8 miles past the Hana Hwy. intersection). Proceed for 150 yards, turning right into Pukalani Square. Please do not park directly in front of the shops. TNC office is on the second floor of the building at the far end.

WHO: Contact Pat Bily, Invasive Plant Specialist, The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii-Maui Field Office ph.(808) 856-7665; fax (808) 572-1375; email: pbily@tnc.org

P.O. Box 1716, Makawao, Hawaii 96768-call or email ahead of time to verify date and reserve space! 

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING: Sturdy footwear; long pants, layered clothing in the event of cold weather; raingear; small backpack, water and lunch; sunscreen; needed medication; and a good attitude!

-All gear should be cleaned of mud and other debris that could carry hitchhiking weed seeds- 

Mahalo for your interest in protecting Maui’s native forests! 

Waikamoi Cloud Forest Hike
Location: Hosmer Grove – just inside park entrance
Time: Monday and Thursday at 8:45 a.m.; Reservations required.
Length: 3.5 hours, 3 miles, 500 ft elevation change
Rating: Moderately strenuous

Hike into the Nature Conservancy’s Waikamoi Preserve. Here in windswept native cloud forests, native plants, birds, and invertebrates have woven an ecological fabric that supports some of the rarest and most beautiful of Earth’s creatures. Once frequented only by those versed in proper protocol to enter the wao akua (realm of the gods), the preserve today is still off-limits except to those on special hikes led by the Nature Conservancy or park staff. Make a reservation for the hike up to one week in advance by calling 808 572-4459. Show up at least 15 minutes early and be prepared with layered clothing, raingear, water and sturdy shoes.

Waikamoi Cloud Forest Hike (longer trail)
Location: Hosmer Grove – Just inside park entrance
Time: Every 3rd Sunday of the month; Resevations required
Length: 5 hours, 5 miles, 600 ft elevation change
Rating: Moderately strenuous

This is a wet and muddy hike deep into The Nature Conservancy’s Waikamoi Preserve. Experience a truly native Hawaiian forest. Discover the inhabitants of this healthy ecosystem. Access to this area is limited to organized hikes offered only by Haleakala National Park or The Nature Conservancy. Call 808 572-4459 to make a reservation up to one week in advance.