Right here at Hawaii Aloha Journey, now we have lengthy advocated for customer schooling excursions and applications that target native Hawaiian ecology and tradition. Helewai Eco Tours on Maui is strictly the sort of group we suggest for guests fascinated with getting extra out of their Hawaii trip than tan strains souvenirs. The undertaking was based in 2019 by Kevin Schenk, the son of a multi-generational Maui household steeped in a dedication to stewardship of the island’s pure and cultural heritage.
Helewai Eco Excursions gives restricted entry to non-public preservation lands within the Puu Kukui Watershed Protect excessive within the West Maui Mountains above the bustling resort cities of Kaanapali and the West Maui shoreline. Its guides are knowledgeable naturalists and Hawaiian cultural practitioners that present deep perception into the Valley Isle’s most treasured and vital supply of recent water.
Certainly, the Puu Kukui Watershed gives 60% of Maui’s recent water, together with the resorts of West Maui and all the way in which to Wailea, many miles to the southeast. A partnership with the Puu Kukui Watershed Reserve grants tour-goers entry to pristine watershed forests teeming with native wildlife in any other case inaccessible to hikers.
After a gap oli, or prayer, that serves as a respectful announcement of the presence of holiday makers, Helewai Eco Excursions’ guides share with guests (and, usually, Maui residents and college students) the significance of the Puu Kukui watershed to Maui’s freshwater provide. In addition they clarify its very important function in protecting the colourful coral reef ecosystem of West Maui wholesome, which makes the realm such a wildly common customer vacation spot. In spite of everything, water flows downhill. The excessive mountain forest prevents soil erosion and prevents rainfall from changing into muddy runoff water, of little use and sometimes a well being hazard downstream. An unhealthy watershed above means a susceptible shoreline under.
The well being of the Puu Kukui Watershed Reserve is important to the preservation of Maui’s pure and cultural assets. And the one solution to actually perceive that significance is to be taught from the ecologists and cultural practitioners who make it their life’s work to make sure the well being, conservation and preservation of its assets. Helewai Eco Excursions is a very immersive pure and cultural expertise.
However it’s not all classes and lectures on the Helewai Eco Tour. Aerial roots of an enormous banyan tree provide the chance for Tarzan vine swinging enjoyable. Relying on the time of yr, the tour additionally gives a bounty of nature’s personal snacks: lilikoi (ardour fruit), guava, and different candy treats that actually develop on bushes (and vines).
The tour/hike includes a one-mile hike to the highest of the protect, the place the ocean views and photo-ops are gorgeous. The stroll again down the path is reasonable, and the tour concludes with a cease on the magnificent Honolua Bay with snacks and refreshments. Though the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, service animals are welcome.
At a time when over-tourism and imperiled pure assets are inflicting grave issues amongst Hawaii residents, native Hawaiians, and companies that depend on tourism income, eco-tourism is the obvious and fast approach for guests to have a constructive affect on Hawaii’s future. Hawaii Aloha Journey extremely recommends Helewai Eco Excursions for Hawaii guests fascinated with pure, cultural, and historic preservation.
Posted by: Jamie Winpenny
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