PAY IT FORWARD

Have you ever seen volunteers with red kettles and ringing bells at your local grocery store during the holiday season?  Every year, volunteers across the nation participate in the "Red Kettle Christmas Campaign" to help provide basic necessities and disaster-related help to millions.

Courtesy of The Salvation Army of the Carolinas

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church and an organization making lasting impacts around the world, is committed to providing basic social services to those who are in need.

Although The Salvation Army may be most well-known for its Red Kettle Christmas Campaign, the organization also leads a number of other campaigns and events.

For example, The Salvation Army's Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division sponsors an Annual Thanksgiving Dinner which brings together roughly 2,000 beneficiaries and 900 volunteers for a night of service and camaraderie.  This event is only made possible by volunteers who help prepare and serve the complete Thanksgiving meals, and local hoteliers and restaurants that provide the food itself.  This special event represents a large part of what The Salvation Army stands for in terms of service and community interaction.

Courtesy of The Salvation Army — Hawaiian & Pacific Islands

To get involved in more fun and rewarding volunteer opportunities for The Salvation Army, please follow this link https://volunteer.usawest.org/Home.aspx to view the different types of service options available.

Located between Diamond Head and Koko Head, Maunalua Bay is considered to be one of the many cultural and environmental treasures of Oahu. Malama Maunalua, a community-based, non-profit organization, strives for abundant marine life, clean water, and kuleana for the bay.  

Image from http://www.thousandwonders.net

Since 2005, Malama Maunalua has implemented long-term conservation initiatives for the bay such as successfully removing over 3.5 million pounds of invasive algae, maintaining over 28 acres of the bay, and engaging over 10,000 volunteers. From working professionals to retirees and school kids, Malama Maunalua welcomes all to staff and volunteer for the organization.

Image from http://www.to-hawaii.com/

Community Huki

The Community Huki is a monthly volunteer event that brings the community together to restore the health of Maunalua Bay. All volunteers learn more about the organization, the problems facing Maunalua Bay, and the three main types of invasive alien algae that are removed. Most community events are held at the reef flat near Paikō Beach in Maunalua Bay.

*All volunteers are required to fill out a waiver form

Image from http://www.malamamaunalua.org/

Volunteer Internships

Mālama Maunalua is always seeking interns to help with research, field work, outreach, and database management. To apply, please send a letter of interest and your resume to volunteer@malamamaunalua.org.

Image from http://www.malamamaunalua.org/

Huki Volunteer Leaders

Huki events require a lot planning, coordinating of volunteer support, and post-event support.

Responsibilities of Volunteer Leaders:

• Assist in setting up/breaking down huki events, as well as provide support during the event.

• Help conduct Invasive Alien Algae (IAA) assessments before and after each huki to determine effectiveness of the event.

• Assist in quarterly monitoring of IAA at select locations in the bay.

• Assist in the launching of Malama Maunalua's new "Adopt a Plot" project.