You are invited to help us dig down at the cave any Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday from June 17-July 10.  You heard that right – in that entire period, you can come down to Makauwahi Cave and participate in our season’s big dig, along with the Kaua`i Archaeological Field School, our college-accredited program held each summer under the auspices of the University of Hawai`i-Manoa Anthropology Department, in collaboration with the National Tropical Botanical Garden.

Of course, the actual digging is done by our professional staff and the students who are enrolled in the program for 9 units of college credit.  But we need help with sifting the many buckets of sediment for fossils, as well as picking, bagging, labeling, and all that goes with this big annual undertaking.  You are also welcome to just watch, as there will be plenty to see as we uncover thousands of fossils and hundreds of artifacts.  Plan to take pictures and send us some to post on the Makauwahi Cave Reserve Facebook page (and don’t forget to “Like” us if you haven’t done that yet).

No need to make a reservation, just show up anytime between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.  We will be too busy to offer formal tours, as we do every Sunday, but the cave is now fully self-guiding anyway (see below) and there will be plenty of experts on hand who can answer your questions.  All ages are welcome.

This month-long event, three days per week, has been made possible through a grant from the Hawai`i Tourism Authority, County Product Enrichment Program, which seeks to expand and improve the island’s offerings to visitors from throughout the state, nation, and world.  While you’re there, of course, you can also enjoy our self-guiding nature trail, the growing complex of pondfields and wetland restorations, and our friendly herd of giant tortoises, who help with the weeding (and you can help with that, too).