Sanctuary Volunteer Program

The Sanctuary’s goals and objectives cannot be realized without volunteer support.  Current volunteers are members of the community including residents and visitors, students and senior citizens.  They come from many different backgrounds and bring a variety of skills and talents to the Sanctuary.  Dedicated volunteers are one of the Sanctuary’s greatest assets.


Volunteer Program Goals

Provide volunteers with meaningful experiences related to the conservation of humpback whales.

Provide volunteers with opportunities to learn more about Hawai‘i’s marine wildlife and cultural resources.

Provide appropriate recognition for volunteers through appreciation events and awards.


Benefits

Volunteering for the National Marine Sanctuary is a great way to interact with the public by teaching visitors and residents about the marine environment while helping to protect the Hawaiian population of humpback whales and their habitat. The sanctuary appreciates its volunteers and provides special perks and opportunities to volunteers when possible.


Volunteer Opportunities by Island

Maui
Kaua`i
O`ahu
Hawai`i


Volunteer Information

Volunteer Application - COMING SOON!

Volunteer Handbook - COMING SOON!


Messages from Sanctuary Volunteers

"As sanctuary volunteers for over ten years, we take great pride in doing the whale count and never tire of it. It's a fantastic program that keeps track of our beloved humpbacks and we're fortunate to meet beautiful people each year at our site. We also enjoy being involved in other sanctuary outreach programs such as boater education."

Robert & Barbara Billand, Waianae, O`ahu


"The ocean counters and the whales attract a lot of attention from passersby and beach-goers at Poipu Beach Park, and it’s a prime spot for whale education.  For some of us who have found a new calling since retiring, the gratification from sharing with the public what we have learned from whale researchers and sanctuary staff is tremendous.  What better place to teach about whales and caring for the ocean than right here, right now."

Bruce Parsil, Kalaheo, Kaua`i


Sanctuary Volunteer of the Year Recipients

Each year the sanctuary recognizes a Volunteer of the Year. The sanctuary's Volunteer of the Year is recognized during Capitol Hill Oceans Week and is also nominated for the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation's Volunteer of the Year award. Take a moment to find out more about the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary's Volunteer of the Year recipients.

2007 - Bob Ragains, Maui
2006 - Bruce Parsil, Kaua`i
2005 - June Kawamata, O`ahu
2004 - Kimokeo Kapahulehua, Maui


2007 - Bob Ragains, Maui

Bob started volunteering with the Sanctuary during the winter months (whale season) when he was living in Maui.  Bob assisted in giving twice weekly “45 Ton” Whale talks at the Education Center, helping assist the public who visited the Ed center, assisting staff at Outreach Events and with education programs. Bob decided to move to Maui permanently in 2006 and for the last year and half has done a tremendous amount of work for us.

Bob has been coordinating the volunteer whale watch schedule which has been a major undertaking.  In addition to participating in the onboard whale watch volunteer program himself, he coordinates the program, emails out schedules, coordinates time slots with volunteers and the whale watching company, troubleshoots volunteer issues and acts as a liaison between the whale watching company and the Sanctuary’s Volunteer coordinator.  This volunteer whale watch coordinator position easily logs 20-30 hrs/week – a sizeable amount of volunteer work in addition to all of the other programs he participates in.

Bob also assisted in updating the “45 Ton” Whale talk to a power point presentation and continues to give the presentation twice a week in the Education Center.  Bob also volunteers one day per week at the Sanctuary’s outreach information station at the Maui Ocean Center where he talks to visitors about whales, helps them site activity on the water and provides sanctuary outreach information.  Bob is also great with kids groups and helps with education programs geared for all ages.  Bob Ragains contributes more volunteer hours at the Sanctuary than some staff and is always smiling, and learning as much as he can so he can better promote the National Marine Sanctuary Program.

2006 - Bruce Parsil, Kaua`i
Bruce has participated in the annual Sanctuary Ocean Count since 2002 and, since 2004, has taken on leadership responsibilities in a number of sanctuary activities including serving as a site leader during the 2006 Brown Bag with Whales, a lunchtime shore-based whale watch and leading an activity booth at the annual Kaua`i Family Ocean Fair.  Also, during the 2005 Hawaiian Monk Seal pup-sitting at Poipu, he was one of the Sanctuary’s assistant volunteer coordinators and lead volunteer trainer, helping to ensure that the pup of this critically endangered species was given a chance to successfully wean.  During the 2004 Hawaiian Monk Seal pup-sitting at Poipu, Bruce led all volunteers in numbers of hours contributed by conducting on-site education and outreach nearly every day for seven weeks, at least six hours per day.

Bruce Parsil, PhD, is a fulltime Kauai resident and he has contributed countless hours towards education and outreach for the sanctuary.  Bruce’s special gifts include an unflagging capacity to share knowledge about Hawaii’s humpback whales, Hawaiian monk seals, and Hawaii’s seabirds, the HIHWNMS and the National Marine Sanctuary with tens of thousands of residents and visitors annually.  He is consistently accurate, effective, respectful, and reliable.  Bruce reaches a worldwide audience with our sanctuary messages and inspires through words and deeds good stewardship and unselfish service for the betterment of our worldwide community.

2005 - June Kawamata, O`ahu
June Kawamata has supported the HIHWNMS as a volunteer site leader for the annual Sanctuary Ocean Count Project for eleven years straight.  As a site leader she has been an educational voice for the Sanctuary as a volunteer for the Ocean Count project, as well as independently during whale season at her favorite whale watching lookout on Oahu, Lanai Lookout. In addition, June has been willing to help the Sanctuary with a variety of other special events when asked.  By doing this she has increased awareness of the NMSP, the HIHWNMS, humpback whales, and other marine protected species and seabirds.

June Kawamata has committed an unbelievable amount of her time to involve Hawaii, locals and tourists alike, in shoreline whale watching. She has dedicated much of her life to humpback whales and more recently to Hawaiian monk seals.  One look at June’s life and you know she is a true whale lover and sanctuary supporter. June’s educational messages related to humpback whales and Hawaii’s marine environment come from the heart and show her true commitment to the Sanctuary and marine protection.

2004 - Kimokeo Kapahulehua, Maui - 2004 National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Volunteer of the Year
Kimokeo Kapahulehua, known to many as “Uncle Kimokeo”, was named Volunteer of the Year by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation for his dedication and leadership in helping to preserve, protect and promote the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. The foundation presented the award to Kimokeo, who was selected from a pool of 15 nominees from around the National Marine Sanctuary System, at its third annual Leadership Awards Dinner in Washington, D.C. on June 7. Kimokeo’s extensive volunteer résumé includes sitting on the sanctuary’s advisory council, serving as president of the sanctuary’s non-profit partner Ao`ao Na Loko I`a O Maui, and giving numerous educational lectures and presentations to the public on the value of applying traditional knowledge to protecting Hawaii’s marine environment.

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