Huliau Leadership Council

The Huliau Leadership Council is open to students in grades 9-12 from all Maui County schools who have an interest in environmental leadership. Members meet twice a month to plan service projects and other environmental leadership projects.

About our 2023-2024 School Year Program

Our 2023-2024 leadership will meet twice a month from September until May (14 total meetings), plus five additional service days on weekends throughout the year. These may include projects such as beach cleanups, tree plantings, and farm or loʻi workdays. The program will start with a beach clean-up and in-person orientation on International Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday September 16th from 8:30am-1pm at Hawaiian Canoe Club. Following the orientation, in-person meetings or mini field-trips will be held the first Wednesday of the month from 4-6pm, and virtual meetings will be held the third Wednesday of the month from 4:30-6pm.  At meetings, students will learn about environmental issues on Maui from various community groups and plan future service projects and guest speakers. You can see examples from last year’s program below. The program ends with an overnight inter-island trip in late April.

Students entering grades 9-12 are welcome to apply for this free program using the button to the right and our staff will contact you with more details. All sessions are required and students who miss more than three sessions will not receive a certificate of completion or be able to participate in the year-end trip.

Schedule details: 

Orientation Sept 16th 8:30am-1pm: In-person beach clean-up and orientation

In-person meetings/field trips 4-6pm 1st Wednesdays: Oct 4th, Nov 1st, Dec 6th, (no Jan), Feb 7th, March 6th, April 3rd & May 1st

Virtual meetings 4:30-6pm 3rd Wednesdays: Sept 20th, Oct 18th, Nov 15th, Dec 20th, Jan 17th, Feb 21st, (no March), April 17th

Service projects and other weekend dates: TBA at September meeting: Mauka/Makai Career Days in November, fall service project, two spring service projects, and tentative off-island trip April 26th-28th

2022-2023 Leadership Council Projects & Photos

Below are some of the projects and events that the leadership council has participated in during the 2022-2023 school year.

September 2022 ♦ Huliau Leadership Council Orientation and International Coastal Cleanup

Kahului Harbor

International Coastal Cleanup 2022 hosted by Huliau Leadership Council was a success! Students removed trash from Kahului Harbor and sorted the debris according to the type of trash. After the beach cleanup, the council participated in activities including paddling in a 6-man outrigger canoe and discussed environmental issues they are interested in investigating. We’re excited to see what the council accomplishes this year! Mahalo Hawaiian Canoe Club for the opportunity to get our students out in the water to paddle! It was the first time for most of them!

October 2022 ♦ Introduction to Scuba with Extended Horizons

Lāhainā

Our leadership council was invited to join Extended Horizons for an introductory scuba lesson. During their visit, they practiced basic scuba diving skills and learned about the importance of maintaining healthy reef ecosystems.

October 2022♦ Waikamoi Hike

Kula

Our Huliau Leadership Council visited The Nature Conservancy’s Waikamoi Preserve. While hiking the boardwalk, they learned about the importance of native forests and about the native plant and animal species that populate the preserve. Mahalo Kim Thayer for co-leading the hike and The Nature Conservancy for the opportunity to visit this important, pristine ecosystem on Maui

November 2022 ♦ Maui Disposal’s Materials Recovery Facility

Kahului 

The Huliau Leadership Council visited Maui Disposal’s Materials Recovery Facility this past November. We got to see how things like cans, bottles, and cardboard are sorted, packed, and shipped out and gained some insight into what is and isn’t recyclable. Mahalo nui Maui Disposal for having us!

December 2022 ♦ Nohoʻana Farm Service Project

Waikapū

The Huliau Leadership Council visited Nohoʻana Farm for a service project to remove weeds from the loʻi & helped clear debris from Waikapū stream. We ended the day with a kuʻi ʻai session. Mahalo Nohoʻana Farm for hosting our students! 

February 2023 ♦ Kīpuka Olowalu Service Project and Farm Tour

Olowalu

Our Huliau Leadership Council visited Kīpuka Olowalu for a service project and farm tour. Students helped with weeding around the native plants and learned about how the native plantings and traditional agricultural practices can help protect the stream and vibrant reef of Olowalu. Mahalo to Makayla for hosting us! 

March 2023 ♦ Pacific Biodiesel Educational Tour

Waikapū

The Huliau Leadership Council visited Pacific Biodiesel’s farm in central Maui to learn about the life cycle of a sunflower and how it’s harvested to produce liquid biofuels in Hawaiʻi. From the bi-products they also produce culinary oils and cosmetic products. It was inspiring to see this climate change solution & zero-waste philosophy happening here in Maui! Mahalo Pacific Biodiesel for the opportunity to see first hand this operation! 

April 2023 ♦ Big Island Student Trip 

Big Island, Hawai’i 

The Huliau Leadership Council traveled to the Big Island for our end of the year trip! We joined Hui Ho’oleimaluo for a service project helping clear out debris from the loko wai and remove invasive plants. On Day 2, we did a road trip along the Hāmākua Coast, Waimea, and Pololū Valley, learning about the sites along the day. 

Our Huliau Leadership Council students created Instagram posters as part of our  #EyesonCOP26 social-media campaign encouraging world leaders at the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow to take meaningful action on climate change. You can check out all their posters and other climate-related art and projects on our new “climate conversations” page.