“It takes a community of dedicated individuals and support to make conservation happen” – the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project.

Operating on a shoestring budget and with the help of volunteers and dozens of organizations, the Maui Forest Bird and Recovery Project, a HawaiianMiles nonprofit partner, conducts impactful work to recover the island’s endangered birds and restore their habitats.

With only six native forest birds remaining on Maui, project staff tag species with a leg bracelet that does not restrict their mobility and feeds researchers data on health, reproductive status, age and measurements. Over 10,000 birds have been banded to date.

The endangered kiwikiu (Maui Parrotbill) bird.

The project – established in 1997 by the state of Hawai‘i’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to support both agencies’ recovery work – also addresses the restoration of forest habitat and the control of predators such as mongoose, rats and cats, as well as the threat of ungulates and mosquitoes.   

Anyone can get behind its mission by volunteering with writing and researching skills, venturing into the wilderness, planting a tree, or, our favorite, donating HawaiianMiles!

This year, in commemoration of Giving Tuesday, miles contributed to our nonprofits partners will take them farther. For every mile donated on Dec. 1, we will match up to 100,000 HawaiianMiles to each recipient organization – on top of 500,000 miles we pledge to match annually.

For the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project, miles are used to transport birds to safe environments while habitat threats are being mitigated and take staff and volunteers to research sites, training and scientific conferences.

We asked Dr. Hanna Mounce, who joined the project in 2006 as a field technician and now serves as its coordinator, for an update on the group’s work.

Dr. Hanna Mounce

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected operations at the Maui Native Bird Recovery Project?

Our field teams have had to make a lot of changes to be able to continue our work while practicing safe social distancing. Our team members all work remotely at home for reports, publications and grant writing, and our Olinda base yard is only used pre- and post-field trips. Our team of three that does the bulk of our fieldwork has had to learn to camp individually instead of using base camps and cabins as we have done in the past.

A socially distanced camping site, where project researchers stay for up to a week in the field.

What are some research and conservation projects currently underway?

Currently, our team has been surveying for endangered kiwikiu (Maui Parrotbill) in areas of east Maui. We are trying to cover all areas that this species was previously known from to quantify range contractions for this critically endangered bird. While in these forest areas, we are also surveying for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes and the diseases that they carry, particularly avian malaria, are the single biggest threat to our native forest birds and the mosquitoes are moving higher up the mountain with warmer temperatures.

What is the biggest challenge you are facing today?

Our biggest challenge right now is to develop and implement the tools to control mosquitoes and disease. This is something that has not been done before and may be the only way that we can save the Hawaiian honeycreepers that we have left.

How can the community support your efforts?

As a small project, we have been hit hard with the inability to work with volunteers in 2020. With the risks of COVID-19 transmission likely extending into 2021, we are going to be very strapped for funding and personnel to push our work forward. We can always use any support that people can give, as well as their advocacy in support of conservation work at the county, state, and federal levels. We have also not been able to share our work and messages as much in 2020 without public events. Please follow us online, including on Facebook and Instagram, or attend a conservation training to be able to help spread the information about threats to Hawai'i's wildlife and what we can do to help prevent further extinctions.

Maui, with its beautiful beaches and postcard scenery, gives travelers plenty of reasons to visit, but the Valley Isle is also known for its bustling farm-to-table scene and locally made products. Small towns bring out the best of Maui’s flavors, offering unique tours and experiences to indulge. The walkable streets of Pa‘ia and Lāhainā, for example, are lined with small cafés and aromatic restaurants that deserve an afternoon or evening to explore. 

Pa‘ia is home to galleries, cafes, restaurants and other local businesses, and is one of the best places for shopping local or taking an afternoon stroll with friends and family.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, isle entrepreneurs, farmers, tastemakers and foodies have worked hard to keep this innovative culinary destination available for kama‘āina and visitors with new health and safety measures. We encourage our guests to explore respectfully and kōkua by wearing a face mask while observing all county and business protocols.

Support Local Farmers at the Upcountry Farmers Market

Among the vast rolling hills of Haleakalā is the town of Kula, where slow, rustic vibes meet sweeping views of Lāna‘i, Kaho‘olawe, Molokini crater, and the West Maui Mountains. The area, known as Upcountry Maui, sits high on the crisp, fertile slopes of the dormant volcano and is home to communities deeply rooted in agriculture and caring for the land.

The Upcountry Farmers Market, open every Saturday, is a core hub for many of Kula’s ranchers, farmers and artisans, and is a popular stop. Shoppers can browse vendor tents filled with tropical bouquets, fresh honey, freshly harvested produce, grab-and-go meals, rustic bread, local clothing brands, and more.

When you visit, remember to wear your mask at all times and carry hand sanitizer in your reusable shopping bag as social distancing can be difficult during peak hours. While many vendors accept credit cards, we recommend also bringing cash (ATMs are available in a shopping center adjacent to the market).

Sip and Savor Maui-Grown Wines 

Photo credit: MauiWine/Stu Soley

Wine tasting at MauiWine

MauiWine is among Kula’s best-known purveyors and the only winery in Hawai‘i that produces sparkling wines. Its winery rests on ʻUlupalakua Ranch, where King Kalākaua, the last reigning patriarch of the Kingdom of Hawai’i, historically re-embraced the tradition of hula. Today, MauiWine produces wines made from pineapple, raspberries, and six varieties of locally grown grapes. Visitors can sip their wines and share pūpūs (appetizers) on the lānai (balcony) of the King’s Cottage, a plantation-style home built in the 1870s to accommodate King Kalākaua and what today is the heart of MauiWine.

MauiWine only accommodates seated groups of up to six people and requires face masks at all times (until seated). Reservations are strongly encouraged, as the winery has reduced its capacity to keep customers safe and socially distanced. Tours are also temporarily suspended, but patrons can still wander the lavish property, learn more about its historic sites via self-guided maps and take photos beneath centuries-old trees. Guests can also purchase their favorite wines during their visit, and have their bottles shipped or specially packaged for airplane travel by MauiWine staff.

Photo credit: MauiWine/Stu Soley

The King's Cottage on MauiWine at ʻUlupalakua Ranch.

"We often ask ourselves, “Can we do this well?” If the answer is yes, then we’ll take a shot at it," said Paula Hegele, president of MauiWine. "The idea of spending more time with fewer guests had a lot of upsides. In many ways, the guest experience we offer now is the guest experience we’ve always sought to offer. Pivoting to a seated, reservation-based service fits who we are as a business and our space in Ulupalakua. We keep looking for silver linings throughout this pandemic. One aspect we are very grateful for was the way our local community came out to the tasting room and supported us as we worked through redesigning the MauiWine experience," she added.

Chocolate with a Purpose

Maui Ku‘ia Estate Chocolate opened the doors to its Lāhainā factory earlier this year with a top-of-the-line facility, a mission rooted in sustainability, and chocolates uniquely created with a local flavor. The owner, a retired scientist with a passion for growing cacao, spent years developing a cacao farm on 20-plus acres of the West Maui Mountains before perfecting his first batch and opening the factory. 

Cacao pods after a harvest at Maui Ku‘ia Estate Chocolate's farm.

Today, visitors can tour the farm to learn how cacao grows, visit the factory to see how cacao is turned into chocolate, and enjoy a nine-piece chocolate tasting on a spacious, covered outdoor pavilion. All guests are required to wear masks until seated, and a staff member will walk them through each chocolate variety’s tasting notes and best practices for experiencing optimal flavor. Each table, spaced to allow social distancing, has its own hand sanitizer pump, and the furniture, made of repurposed monkeypod tree wood, is cleaned after each tasting. 

“We have learned that having people taste our chocolate is the best way to convince them to buy, so we make certain our tasting experiences are memorable — not only for the quality of the chocolate but also for the information and entertainment value,” said Dr. Gunars Valkirs, CEO and founder of Maui Ku‘ia Estate Chocolate.

Maui Ku‘ia Estate Chocolate offers a fun, educational and worthwhile nine-piece tasting at its new factory.

A bonus: all proceeds from its Saturday chocolate tastings are donated to the Maui Food Bank to help local families affected by COVID-19’s economic impacts.

Businesses of all types and sizes have experienced tremendous adversity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, imagine facing unprecedented economic and public health challenges while relying solely on volunteers, contributions and grants – even as demand for your services increases.

Hawai‘i charities are confronting mounting obstacles to care for our most vulnerable neighbors and protect our cherished natural and cultural resources.

At Hawaiian Airlines, we are extremely grateful to our 14 local nonprofit partners for their selfless work to improve our communities during a time of incredible hardship. This year, our HawaiianMiles Charity Program will once again participate in Giving Tuesday, held the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. For every mile donated on Dec. 1 by our valued loyal members, we will match up to 100,000 HawaiianMiles to each recipient organization – on top of 500,000 miles we pledge to match annually.

Leading up to Giving Tuesday, Mana‘o will showcase four local charities – starting today with Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i – whose missions align with Hawaiian’s giving pillars of culture, education, environment, and health and human services. We encourage our members to join our campaign – and help us surpass the 35 million Hawaiian Miles donated in 2019.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i

Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i supports children ages 6-16 years old who have faced adversity in their young lives and experienced the loss of a valuable connection. Its youth-centered program helps children create goals that mentors can help them achieve. Each child and mentor is connected with a staffer who provides ongoing coaching for the youth, training for the volunteer and resources for the family.

Dennis Brown, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i, spoke to us about how his team has adjusted during the pandemic.

Dennis Brown, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai'i, pictured during a talk story (conversation) at our Honolulu headquarters.

How has the COVID – 19 pandemic impacted the work and operations at Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai'i?

First, as with most companies and organizations, for safety reasons we’ve had to switch to remote interactions both for our employees and our Big Brother/Sister Little Brother/Sister matches. We actually gave up our larger office location and now have a very small office where just a handful of staffers work daily. The rest of us telecommute and occasionally go to the office to sign documents, pick-up supplies, use office equipment and the like.

Have you had to adapt and modify how you deliver services?

Yes, and it was a big concern at first. Our one-to-one youth mentoring model is based on the Bigs and Littles getting together on a consistent basis and is most effective when they can meet in-person and enjoy activities together. During shutdown periods, we limited them to only meet virtually via texting, phone calls, face time, Zoom, email and even snail-mailed postcards and letters. An unexpected silver lining to this change was that each pair met even more often than they used to when it was all in-person. In addition, we expanded our services during this time to deliver groceries, prepared meals and household goods to many of our families as well.

Photo credit: Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai'i

Little brother Max spending time with big brother Joko. Connecting youth with mentors is an important mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai'i.

What have been the most pressing areas of need and how can people seek your assistance?

Our mission is to help children who face adversity in their lives, such as missing one or both parents, living in a near-poverty situation or having experienced serious trauma, by connecting them with a responsible and caring adult mentor who is supported by our professional staff. The COVID-19 pandemic has created urgent needs among the families we serve who need our support more than ever. We encourage people to reach out to us if they have a child who can benefit from a one-to-one relationship with a caring, responsible adult by calling us at (808) 521-3811, or visiting us at www.bbbshawaii.org to schedule an appointment to speak with someone.

What is the biggest challenge your organization is facing?

Finding creative and effective ways to raise funds in an environment that don’t allow us to hold our special event fundraisers in large in-person gatherings as we used to do. We’ve lost $300,000 in net revenue for 2020 due to not being able to hold our usual gala dinner, golf tournament and bowling events.

How can the community support the work of Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i?

As always, we can use more volunteers to be Big Sisters and Brothers, though we’ve happily seen some increase in people inquiring to volunteer. Also, being a multi-island service provider, the HawaiianMiles are a huge benefit to us in being able to travel between islands for staff training and meetings. So, we’re grateful to those who can donate miles to us through that program as well.

A destination that has it all, from great food to exceptional coastlines and sunsets, Maui is an unparalleled vacation spot for celebrating romantic occasions or a simple getaway. Travelers visiting the Valley Isle during the COVID-19 pandemic can continue to make lifetime memories discovering its outdoor attractions safely and sustainably. 

Starting Your Getaway at Your Hotel

Maui has several top-notch hotels that offer an array of experiences for travelers of all ages and types. Looking for a mix of adventure and intimacy during your stay? At the Sheraton Maui Spa and Resort, one of our hotel partners where guests can earn HawaiianMiles and enjoy special deals, its location and amenities complement the island’s natural beauty. The 23-acre resort sits at the end of the famous Ka‘anapali Beach with mauka (mountainward)-to-makai (oceanward) views property-wide, beachfront dining options, a relaxing spa, top-of-the-line snorkeling, cultural activities and more. 

Sheraton Maui Spa and Resort makes it easy for guests to maintain personal health and safety while seamlessly checking in for their vacation.

Tetsuji Yamazaki, the hotel’s general manager, explained how his staff carries out their pledge to health and safety throughout the guest experience:

“At the Sheraton Maui, we are adhering to Marriott International’s Commitment to Clean – our elevated health and safety protocols. With health and safety a top priority for us, our Commitment to Clean includes many standards such as reduced capacity in elevators, frequency of cleaning and disinfecting, with a special focus on high-touch areas like elevator buttons and handrails,” Yamazaki said. “Also, there are hand-sanitizing stations in high-traffic areas and signage to remind guests to maintain social distancing. In our lobby and other public spaces, we have installed plexiglass partitions at the check-in bays and bell desks, for example. In addition, we have made numerous operational adjustments…and of course, face coverings are required by everyone throughout the hotel – both employees and guests."

Social distancing markers like these are placed throughout the property at Sheraton Maui Spa and Resort.

Preparing for your Adventure

Though we love relaxing on the beach, we recommend renting a car to experience Maui’s natural beauty, postcard-worthy spots and small towns. If that's the route you go, our car rental partners like AVIS have adopted stringent health and safety protocols to keep drivers safe as they adventure the island. (Please visit your selected rental car company’s website for the latest COVID-19 protocols and updates.)

Taking a day to explore Maui's small, quaint towns, like Pa'ia, is easy to do with a rental car. Be sure to wear your mask when you exit the car and explore local shops.

While sightseeing, we ask all of our guests to recognize their kuleana (responsibility) in respecting the ‘āina (land) and kai (ocean), the people, and the culture of Maui. This means always wearing a mask in public and the presence of others, especially when social distancing may be difficult, reducing your use of single-use plastics, picking up your ‘ōpala (trash), and observing safety and educational signs at all sites. These best practices help us protect and preserve the many wonders of the Hawaiian Islands. Please familiarize yourself with and follow Maui County’s latest COVID-19 protocols.

Diving into Maui’s Oceans

Those with strong sea legs can venture beyond their hotel's shoreline and experience Maui’s tropical waters. Various ports house a variety of eco-tour businesses worth exploring, including PacWhale Eco-Adventures, the commercial subsidiary of the 501(c)3 nonprofit Pacific Whale Foundation. One of our employee's favorites, the company offers opportunities to see wild marine life from a safe and respectable distance, and tours, from sunset sails to snorkel adventures, that engage guests in its conservation initiatives. 

Whale season on Maui (November-May) is like a dream come true for ocean lovers. Tour companies like PacWhale Eco-Adventures continue to give its guests memorable, educational experiences on the ocean while also ensuring they're protected throughout their trip.

To keep tour participants safe, the company's protocols include staggered boarding, temperature checks upon check-in, a mask requirement, reduced onboard capacity to maintain safe distancing, and more. All profits raised from its tours fund critical research, educational programs and initiatives to conserve Maui’s rich biodiversity and ecosystems.

Exploring the National and State Parks

Plan to wake up early at least one day and drive up to Haleakalā National Park for an extraordinary sunrise adventure. Haleakalā, meaning House of the Sun, is the largest dormant volcano in the world with a crater that offers unrivaled views and terrain, ranging from Mars-esque dunes to vast open fields of wildflowers in the warmer months. Arrive by dawn on a clear morning to catch the sun peeking over the crater walls and colors that spread across an endless sky. (Reservations, made up to seven days in advance, are required for all sunrise visits.) 

Outdoor lovers may explore the park and spend the day trekking the crater’s trail system. All visitors to this Native Hawaiian site should respect native species and restoration areas.

The sun rising over Haleakalā Crater.

When planning your visit, we highly recommended you monitor the weather to avoid dangerous conditions and bring warm clothing as summit temperatures can dip below freezing. With the public’s health in mind, the park has temporarily closed various facilities such as campgrounds, cabins and visitor centers. Visitors must wear a face mask when near others and keep it close by throughout their entire stay. 

Joining Haleakalā on East Maui’s list of natural gems is Wai‘anapanapa State Park, a 120-acre site with rich blue waters that contrast with black sand beaches, lush greenery and native forests. While the park is closed for camping due to COVID-19, visitors can still wander the park with their masks on and social distancing in mind, lay a blanket in its open areas, and take in broad views of the rugged and historic coastline. Be cautious when ocean conditions are rough and observe all posted safety signs. 

Wai‘anapanapa State Park is an incredible place to explore, but it is critical that visitors heed ocean safety signs, wear a mask and social distance at all times.

“Visiting one of Hawai‘i’s incredible state parks should be on everyone’s itinerary. But for us to keep these sites safe for everyone, we ask all park visitors to do their part by social distancing and wearing a mask when around others,” said Dan Dennison, senior communications manager at the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Keep it Simple and Support Local

If keeping a simple itinerary is your preference, grab food to-go from a local restaurant and enjoy a picnic on a beach or park. This easy and safely distanced activity is best enjoyed at sunset and is another opportunity to support Hawai‘i businesses!

Picking up food to share and enjoying a picnic under a tree or in a peaceful open space is never a bad idea. Remember to keep your mask nearby in case you need to put it back on quickly.

A vacation on the island of O‘ahu – also known as “The Gathering Place” – is best shared with friends and loved ones. Whether you are honeymooning, on a family trip, getting away with friends or exploring solo, following proper COVID-19 health and safety precautions to keep each other (and our local communities) safe is critical.

Preparing to Explore Responsibly

First, the basics: Keep face masks on or handy, follow social distancing guidelines, remember to wash hands frequently, and heed Honolulu county's latest health and safety protocols.

Remember to wash your hands often when traveling and seek out hand sanitizer stations at your hotel, such as this one at ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach.

O‘ahu offers travelers a multitude of experiences and each lends its own adventure – no matter your party size. Staying in town? Rent bikes and cruise (with face masks on) through picturesque areas like Ala Moana Beach Park and the nearby neighborhood of Kaka‘ako, a vibrant, industrial community covered in murals by POW! WOW Hawai‘i artists from around the world.

Renting and riding bikes is the best way to experience neighborhoods like Kakaʻako. Don't forget to wear your mask.

Driving around the island? Pick up a car from one of our rental partners to venture beyond Waikīkī and indulge in world-famous coastlines, eat at unique mom-and-pop shops and restaurants, and choose from countless eco-activities. (Please visit your rental car company’s website for the latest COVID-19 protocols and updates.)

Avis and Budget, for example, are implementing enhanced protocols that include using EPA-approved disinfecting wipes, a 15-point checklist for cleaning and disinfecting every vehicle, contactless exits and social distancing throughout the rental process.

A couple driving their rental car along Windward (east) Oʻahu's scenic Kalanianaʻole Highway.

Regardless of your itinerary, flight attendant Heather Sanchez offers this advice: “Don’t forget to carry reusable items, like utensils, bags and water bottles, and reef-safe sunscreen, along with your hand sanitizer, when traveling. These small individual actions have a meaningful impact on protecting and preserving our island’s natural resources.”

Satisfying Your Cravings with Local Restaurants and Farmers

O‘ahu is home to some of the most diverse cuisine in the Pacific. Locally owned establishments, from restaurants and food trucks, to breweries and cafes, offer an expansive palate of flavors that capture the state’s “melting pot” culture.

Meals are best enjoyed in the company of others, including this spread of local favorites at Redfish Poke Bar by Foodland.

"Hawaʻi's local restaurants have always supported local farmers, ranchers and fishermen. Our industries are interconnected and depend on each other. Without this relationship, we wouldn't have the diverse agricultural landscape we have in Hawai'i today," said Dean Okimoto, chairman of the Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation, a nonprofit sponsor of the Mākaukau Hawai‘i “We Are Ready” Campaign. "By choosing to dine-in or takeout from a local restaurant, you're not only supporting that business, but you're also supporting the farmers, ranchers and fishermen that grow, raise and catch your food, and the local community.”

Photo credit: Kahuku Farms

One of the backdrops of Kahuku Farms' Farm Café, located on Oʻahu's North Shore.

A combination of feast and farm, Kahuku Farms is a staple lunch stop on your island tour. The family-owned business sells and incorporates its tropical crops, such as acai, banana and papaya into the menu of its farm café and store. Choose from refreshing acai bowls and smoothies, mouth-watering sandwiches, and more, or take home honey, jars of jam, and natural beauty products. Visitors can dine at socially distanced picnic seating with views of the thriving farm. Masks are required, and patrons should check the café’s latest hours and COVID-19 policies before visiting.

Photo credit: Kahuku Farms

Kahuku Farms uses ingredients grown on its land for healthy, made-to-order meals.

Experiencing O‘ahu’s Great Outdoors

If getting outside and experiencing Hawai‘i’s lush scenery is on your list, stop at Waimea Valley on O‘ahu’s North Shore and Kualoa Ranch on the eastern side. Waimea Valley immerses visitors in Hawaiian culture and lush greenery. Wander the paths of the valley with your masks on and find yourself towered over by centuries-old trees and surrounded by native flora and fauna, with the soothing sounds of birds and the river flowing to the mouth of Waimea Bay. Its open and shaded spaces are perfect for distancing your group,  laying down a blanket for a lunch picnic, or joining a tour to further experience the property.

Photo credit: Waimea Valley

Waimea Valley is a peaceful destination filled with rich history and culture.

Kualoa Ranch, an iconic location to a handful of famous films, is another kama‘āina favorite. The 4,000-acre private reserve overwhelms visitors with its natural beauty, including jagged mountains, rolling hills, tropical farmlands, and an expansive coastal view with endless blue skies. Kualoa’s tours, from horseback riding to ziplining, are paired with opportunities to learn about the land’s sacred history and the preservation work to protect it for years to come.

An aerial shot of Kaʻaʻawa Valley and Kualoa Ranch.

Both Kualoa Ranch and Waimea Valley have readied themselves to welcome more visitors by reducing the size of their tour groups, training staff and installing signage to communicate protocols, requiring everyone to wear masks, and more.

“Waimea Valley is a wahi pana, a storied place, that also holds a wahi kapu, a space held sacred by our kupuna, or ancestors and is known for its healing powers,” said Richard Pezzulo, executive director of Hi’ipaka LLC, the nonprofit group that oversees and stewards the valley. “It is especially important to us to keep all who enter the Valley safe through contact tracing, multiple hand sanitizing stations, regular cleaning of high touch areas and we have over 300 acres of space to roam safely and keep the social distance requirements.”

Relaxing at your hotel

From the check-in experience to lounging by the pool, hotels have redesigned their operations to ensure guests can relax safely. Our hotel partners boast an impressive portfolio of health and safety protocols, from the check-in experience to the room cleaning process. (Please visit your hotel’s website for their specific COVID-19 protocols and updates.)

‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach has employed more rigorous cleaning procedures, installed hand sanitizer stations and plexiglass shields at check-in counters, added in-room personal protective equipment (PPE) kits with gloves, disinfecting wipes and a mask, and implemented social distancing measures so that all visitors can rest easy.

Guests can feel safe at hotels like ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach, which has implemented enhanced health and safety procedures across its property.

The hotel is a perfect one-stop-shop for vacationers looking to stay close to their property, which offers a panoramic view of Waikīkī, dishes up incredible meals and pūpūs (appetizers) at its Swell Pool & Bar and two on-site restaurants, Momosan and Morimoto Asia Waikiki, and is home to the “Light Monument” video art installation. The resort is also just steps from the beach with an infinity pool perfect for enjoying the sunset together.