Preserving Paradise: Opportunities in Volunteering for Hawaii's Environment (Paperback)

by Kirsten Whatley (Author)
Key Phrases: hardiness level, end tax deductible, removing invasive species, Advance Notice, Volunteer Activities, Hawai'i Island (more...)

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Merit Award winner for Best Travel Guide by NATJA, 2009 --North American Travel Journalists Association

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Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Island Heritage Publishing (August 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597005789
• ISBN-13: 978-1597005784
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #460,781 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Consider this an invitation...!, November 5, 2008

By	Robert Schmidt (Honolulu, HI & Logan, UT USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Ecotourism and "environmental voluntourism" often are mechanisms for encouraging people to exchange money for experiences related to environmental protection, habitat restoration, experiencing nature in its many forms, and experiencing new places and cultures.

Preserving Paradise: Opportunities in Volunteering for Hawaii's Environment, has a simpler objective... to match people and projects in enhancing and protecting Hawaii's natural resources. Money is not a crucial link in the chain, but the passion and willingness to roll up your sleeves and work, is required.

Author and compiler Kirsten Whatley states the book's purpose thusly:

"Consider this an invitation, no matter your origin. Consider it a call to arms - and to hands and feet and backs and rakes and hoes and sweat. We all need a paradise to come home to. But we need to consider our impact on this paradise - more importantly, our responsibility to it. The opportunities in this book are one way to begin" (p. vii).

Whatley outlines a number of environmental volunteer opportunities for the islands of Hawaii (14), Kauai (8), Maui (20), Molokei (1), and Oahu (16), along with a number of multi-island projects. Her focus is on projects that need people for just a few hours up to those projects that require a commitment of not more than three months. She includes a description of the need and the agency (in almost all cases a non-profit), the nature of the volunteer activities, how much advance notice is necessary in order to volunteer, the difficulty level of the activities, whether monetary donations are encouraged, and the complete contact information for the group's volunteer coordinator.

I'm unfamiliar with many of these opportunities, so their description was of great interest. I have participated in Reef Check Hawaii training, and have volunteered with Friends of Hanauma Bay and Malama na Honu, and I was impressed at the congruence of my own experiences and Whatley's descriptions. And I know the Oahu Invasive Species Committee can really work its volunteers... when the author noted their difficulty level was a 5 (1 is low, 5 is high), I knew that Whatley was striving to make these listings as accurate (and thus not disappointing) as possible.

The "Time Commitment" index outlines all projects based on the minimum time you are asked to volunteer:

- a few hours to one day (51 groups)
- a few days to a few weeks (6 groups)
- at least one month (2 groups)
- at least two months (8 groups)
- at least three months (3 groups)
- flexible time commitments (19 groups)

There is something here for everyone. Mahalo nui loa to Kirsten Whatley for making this collection of activities available!

Now go out and do good things!

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring!!, November 2, 2008

By	Antoinette C. Troxell (Hana, HI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Preserving Paradise: Opportunities in Volunteering for Hawaii's Environment
This wonderful resource book will inspire and motivate the reader, no matter where they happen to live. Although the book features opportunities in volunteering to preserve and protect the Hawai'i environment, Whatley's words will invoke your spirit and encourage you to volunteer in your own corner of the world. I recommend Preserving Paradise as a well-organized and easily-read resource for anyone who is so inclined to check out the volunteer opportunities presented. However, it goes "beyond paradise" reaching deep into our own consciousness about protecting our environment - be it Hawai'i or your own personal paradise.
This book should be a must read for those considering a visit to Hawai'i. Even if you are not interested in volunteering, it will encourage you to be aware and to respect the delicate environmental balance of the Hawai'ian Islands.

5.0 out of 5 stars A rich banquet of opportunities to succor preserving Hawaii's paradise., September 29, 2008

By	Sinead de Burca (Co.Kerry, Ireland.) - See all my reviews

Preserving Paradise is a gem of a book! As ecological consciousness grows this book shines offering numerous tangible opportunities for willing volunteers to partake in a healing relationship with the bounty and beauty of nature in Hawaii's idyllic settings. Whatley has written an admiring, comprehensive reference book with understanding and appreciation for the living world. The book is illustrated throughout with colour images and comes in an easily portable format.If you are seeking a transformative path, a wonderful chance to share in the care and renewal of the web of life then this book is a treasure trove of insights and ideas for you!