Hawai'i Big Island: Environmental Conservation, Cultural Preservation & Snorkeling

This trip has taught me so much about life, it has introduced me to a new way of life that seemed unattainable for me. You are immersed in a beautiful community and culture. The projects were not easy, at times they were a bit challenging but they always felt meaningful and were fun. The guides were incredible and made every moment fun, they never offered any judgement towards any questions asked and they always made sure everyone was taken care of. Every project brought something new, whether it be learning about a new plant or farming style or about what this project means to their community and the history behind the places we enter.

I had always wanted to be able to travel and help people at the same time. Volunteering with Give allowed me to do exactly that !! I met so many like minded people, and got to participate in many hands on projects which is exactly what I was looking for. It may seem too good to be true looking from the outside in, but I can 100% say that my travel experience with Give was amazing, beyond words can describe !! I have friendships, memories, and new knowledge and skills that will last a lifetime !!

This experience is truly so impactful and will be a week you will never forget. Everyday we did a project to help the community. These activities were usually not too laborious and you got to learn about the culture while doing them. In our free time we did lots of fun activities, like hiking, shopping, or playing game. The people you are surrounded by make this program even better. Everyone who goes on the trip is so excited and happy to be there, so the connections that are formed are unlike any other. I plan to hold on to my lifelong friends, memories, and valuable lessons that this program has allowed me to form.

My experience with Give was Incredible!
I went to hawaii with my best friend and made life long friends. I got to learn about the culture, land, explore incredible places, try new food, all while helping the community in a responsible way. It felt so good to be traveling the correct and safe way with Give. I still talk to all my friend from my trip to this day! Give us lifelong. I even celebrated my birthday on my Give Trip. It was the Best Birthday to share with all such lovely uplifting people. This experience was life changing and something everyone should be apart of.

Wow. It's hard to put into words how one week can foster such immense, positive change in so many different ways. Growing up, I have always dreamt of visiting Hawai'i, but not in the typical tourist fashion that most do. I'm eternally grateful for GIVE for allowing me to experience Hawai'i in the way I had always dreamt of: by being immersed within its rich, vibrant Aloha-centered culture & being deeply involved with the restoration of the indescribably beautiful land and local communities. GIVE gave me the chance to foster a relationship with the 'aina (land) and kai (ocean) in ways I never would have thought possible. Furthermore, the relationships that I developed with my incredible guides and fellow volunteers are ones that will forever hold a special place in my heart.

I showed up at Kona airport with a full backpack almost feeling marooned. Fortunately, we volunteers were connected early through WhatsApp. We found each other quickly and the group dynamic took off without a hitch. It was heartwarming to be welcomed by the natives of the island of Hawaii for the recognition that I was there as a volunteer. The cultural chants shared to welcome us in, the ability to introduce myself in the Hawaiian language, and partaking in the traditional emu left an impression. I will carry that experience with me. I am also proud to adorn the green GIVE ribbon as a badge of commitment.

My experience with GIVE has been nothing short of life-changing. This past summer I went on a trip with GIVE to Hawai'i where we worked with local project partners and organizations to restore the land so it can be used to grow food for locals, restore and help rebuild a sacred archeological site, and so much more empowering work all over the Big Island. I gained a new perspective on the world, as well as a new global family of amazing humans who share my love for the Earth. I can't wait until I can go on another trip with GIVE!

This trip was fabulous. All of the guides were amazing in helping us learn and assisting us in anyway we needed. We got to have so much fun while making an impact on our āina (land) and seeing the difference we were making. The friendships we all made on this trip are so valuable and pure. The memories that we made and get to have together will always be treasured. Learning about a new culture while helping protect that was something really special and i hope that everyone gets a chance to experience that.