‘Tis the Season to Give: Family-Friendly Volunteer Opportunities
The holidays are the perfect time to get the whole ‘ohana together and teach keiki about the joy of giving—not just with presents, but by volunteering with or donating to community organizations all year-round.
Photo: Courtesy of Getty Images
808 Cleanups
Spend a few hours cleaning beaches, parks and other public places.
(808) 892-3464, 808cleanups.org, @808cleanups
Children’s Discovery Forest
Work on the Hawai‘i Forest Institute’s native Hawaiian garden at the Honolulu Zoo. If you have a group of volunteers, school group, etc. that would like to volunteer, contact Linda at lmduling@hawaii.edu.
Located at the Honolulu Zoo, 151 Kapahulu Ave., hawaiiforestinstitute.org
Hawai‘i Foodbank
Keiki ages 8 to 15 can work with an adult to help sort donations, check labels and inspect fruit and vegetables as a way to learn about families in need. Commitments range from single, four-hour shifts to weekly work for a month.
2611 Kilihau St., (808) 836-3600, hawaiifoodbank.org, @hawaiifoodbank
Ho‘oulu ‘Āina
Keiki and adults alike will get their hands dirty weeding, planting, harvesting and watering this expansive garden in the back of Kalihi Valley. There are also opportunities to prep the harvest to be delivered to the community, which entails washing, cleaning and bagging vegetables.
3659 Kalihi St., (808) 841-7504, hoouluaina.org, @hoouluaina
Ka Papa Lo‘i O Kānewai
Learn about the history of the site, water systems and water cycles before working in the taro patch. Little kids may need help on the 10-minute walk to get to the lo‘i.
2645 Dole St., (808) 956-0640, manoa.hawaii.edu, @hawaiinuiakea
Mālama Maunalua
Keiki and parents will wade into the water of Maunalua Bay to pull out invasive algae. It starts with an introduction to the history of the bay and a lesson about the algae, then a short walk down to the beach to spot sea creatures and clear the algae.
Meet at Kuli‘ou‘ou Beach Park, (808) 395-5050, malamamaunalua.org, @malamamaunalua
Sustainable Coastlines Hawai‘i
Participate in the organization’s large-scale cleanups for a hands-on and engaging community beach cleanup. Opportunities are held across the islands throughout the year.
sustainablecoastlineshawaii.org, @sustainablecoastlineshawaii
Photo: Courtesy of Waimea Valley
Waimea Valley
‘Ohana Volunteer Days are held twice a month. The event is geared towards parents with younger kids. Expect to weed, plant and work on the native Hawaiian plants in the garden. After working, you are free to spend the day in the valley.
59-864 Kamehameha Highway, Hale‘iwa, (808) 638-5855, waimeavalley.net, @waimeavalleyoahu
SEE ALSO: Give Big Hawai‘i: Five Ways to Volunteer
Graphic: Courtesy of Getty Images
DONATIONS WELCOME!
If hands-on work just isn’t in the cards, donating is a great option—both goods and monetary. Here are some family-focused organizations to put on your radar.
Photo: Courtesy of Aloha Diaper Bank
Aloha Diaper Bank
This crucial organization provides diapers and wipes to families living in poverty, the homeless and parents in crisis throughout the Islands.
O‘ahu SPCA
The first and only 501(c)(3) no-kill animal shelter in Hawai‘i is dedicated to rescuing O‘ahu’s homeless pets and humanely reducing the population of animals on the streets through low cost spay and neuter services.
Helping Hands Hawai‘i
The mission of Helping Hands Hawai‘i is to connect individuals, families and organizations with critical social services to empower them and improve their quality of life.
Family Programs Hawai‘i
This program helps children and families involved in foster care by providing support, shelter and permanency options.
HUGS Hawai‘i
For more than 30 years, this organization has been helping Hawai‘i families improve their quality of life as they face the emotional and financial hardships of caring for a seriously ill child.
Child & Family Service
The nonprofit’s mission is to strengthen families and foster healthy development in children.
Imua
Imua provides quality care and community to keiki on Maui, Lāna‘i and Moloka‘i.
Project Hawai‘i Inc.
Since 2003, this organization has been supporting the needs of homeless keiki.
Graphic: Courtesy of TopVectors
SAVE THE DATE: HONOLULU Family’s Volunteer Day 2024
April 6, 2024
HONOLULU Family has been organizing a Volunteer Day to get families involved and familiar with community organizations. Our next event will be our seventh annual event, and you’re once again invited to join us for a fun-filled day of giving back!
