Thanks to the generosity of the Hawai`i Tourism Authority, we have been able to greatly expand our offerings for visitors to Makauwahi Cave Reserve, from the nearest towns on Kaua`i to the farthest reaches of the earth. Regarding the latter, among the thousands of visitors signing the guest book in the cave recently have been Russians, Chinese, and South Americans.

Interns in the Makauwahi Jobs Program, which provides career training and temporary employment for unemployed Native Hawaiians, pound fence posts for the new fence that will protect the lo`i ponds from rooting wild pigs.(photo by Lida Pigott Burney)

Our record attendance these last few months has included regular Sunday visitors for the free cave tours, but also large and small groups by appointment, special events such as “Ni`ihau Day” back in April, and ever more people hiking our self-guiding trail, often all the way from the Hyatt Hotel via the conveniently connecting Maha`ulepu Heritage Trail.

Note that anyone interested can schedule a guided hike with one of our trained volunteers, and/or volunteer to assist with the taro farm, giant tortoise herd, or native plant maintenance. There are always plenty of tasks, and we host a wide range of internships with universities far and wide. We ask that volunteers commit to at least a half day, and come dressed to do farm work, including wading if you wish! And again this fall, we will need all the volunteers we can get to handle the large school groups sponsored by Grove Farm.

Okay, that covers “voluntourism.” What about tortoises and taro? FENCES! The Natural Resource Conservation Service of USDA has partially funded the construction of pig-proof fences to protect thousands of native plants and our taro pondfields and restored wetlands. Our tortoise program for weed control continues to thrive, and we are branching out to try other species. Over the next few weeks, we hope to start our experiments with “lambscaping.” If you don’t know what that is…or even if you do…tune in for the next newsletter.