Nurture

For all who have experienced the calm and exhilaration of these mountain parks, it's clear how important these mountains are in our lives. First time visitors and long-time residents alike are refreshed and renewed by a visit to Koke’e.

In honoring that deep aloha so many have for Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Parks, there could be no better way than to volunteer for the parks. Everyone’s gift of labor is welcome – whether you’d like to greet visitors and give trail information at the Museum, lead hikes, work on historic buildings, or groom park trails. Every age is welcome – Kokua Koke’e’s forest gardening projects are appropriate for all ages from 3 and 4 year olds (accompanied of course) to grandparents and everyone in between.

Hui o Laka has always been devoted to preserving the natural and cultural treasures of Koke’e, until 1998 that interest was expressed mostly in development of The Nature Trail and renovations to the CCC Camp. In 2003, when Hui o Laka initiated trail work with support from Hawaii Tourism Authority, our efforts were seen as supplementing the work of the States Parks crew. By 2008, systemic economic reverses and frozen budgets made it crystal clear that if trails and overlooks were to be maintained at all, the public would have to do it.

It is now entirely obvious that precious places like Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Park will simply not be maintained if we do not step forward and help now. Conservation and preservation of our precious natural and cultural resources will be secure during bad times and good if – and only if – they are built into the day-to-day lives of the community.

That’s why we encourage groups to get involved in the Kokua Koke’e program. Once your ohana, club, halau, canoe club or company spends time in the mountains, helping in the forest, spending the night at the historic CCC Camp, you’ll be back, we know. The Kauai service group of Hawaii Government Employees Association, the State’s largest union, is heading into its third year of volunteer participation, making a family weekend out of the occasion. Individuals are also welcome.

Nurture the essence of Koke’e by supporting Hui o Laka

If you can’t volunteer – and many who love these mountain parks cannot visit regularly – become a Hui o Laka member, and/or make a restricted or unrestricted donation. We’re here supporting the parks year round. We do it without leaning on State or Federal support – which means The mountain needs you.

By way of marking the 55th birthday (November 29, 2008/calendar) of Koke’e Museum and because Hui o Laka needs your support right now, we are inviting members and friends to consider a Birthday Gift of $55 – or any multiplier of “55.”  Please send your Birthday Gift in time for us to announce the total gift donations at the 55th Birthday Celebration on November 29, 2008 (you’re invited!). Our goal is $10,000 – that means we need 182 of you to donate a dollar on each year of Koke’e Museum’s service! Mahalo in advance!

Survive-and-thrive strategies

Hui o Laka takes its clue from the forests we cherish – when storms hit, RESPOND. We survived Hurricane ‘Iniki. We’ll weather this.  Hui o Laka is made of tougher stuff than to buckle in a crisis, whether it be a hurricane or a financial storm like the one already threatening governments, businesses, and most folk’s budgets.

We’re tightening up and implementing a battery of survive-and-thrive strategies, so Koke’e Natural History Museum will continue to serve park visitors year round, as always, without any government funding.

A critical piece of achieving such sustainable operations is a renewed website (which you are now enjoying!) that not only informs and involves all who love and use Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Parks, but also offers opportunities to purchase unique items from Koke’e Mart, the online version of the Koke’e Museum Shop. We are also determined to create and sell unique Kauai-made products you can find no where else, supporting local businesses and crafts people while providing unique souvenirs not made in China! Hui o Laka thanks you for your patronage!