Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering is a great way to use your skills and talents to support the community and spread the aloha spirit. If you are interested in a particular place that’s not listed here, look on their website to see how to apply, or you can reach out to them directly. Most organizations would greatly appreciate volunteers!
Here is a list of several volunteer opportunities in Hawaii. Some opportunities may not be available due to COVID-19, so please look under our “Available during COVID-19” section for organizations that explicitly stated they are looking for volunteers during the pandemic. We noted “*Not available during COVID-19” for organizations that explicitly stated their volunteer opportunities are not available during the pandemic.
To learn more about any of the listed organizations, please visit the website listed. Volunteer opportunities may not always be available, so be sure to visit their website for the most current information.
Kanu Hawaii
Kanu Hawaii is an organization that strives for change and the betterment of Hawaii. They have campaigns based on developing environmentally sustainability, compassion, and economically resilient communities. Click here for Kanu Hawaii’s Volunteer Opportunities that has an array of volunteer opportunities by island!
Beach Cleanups
Surfrider Foundation
https://www.surfrider.org/volunteer
“Our volunteers are the lifeblood of the Surfrider Foundation. The Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves and beaches, for all people, through a powerful activist network.”
–Surfrider Foundation
808 Cleanups
https://808cleanups.org/get-involved/
“808 Cleanups is a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit organization committed to restoring Hawaiʻi’s natural beauty by empowering volunteers to conduct decentralized cleanups from Mauka to Makai, responding to littering and vandalism of Hawaiʻi’s natural spaces, saving Hawaiʻi’s indigenous ecosystem through education, and building sustainable solutions with community partners.”
–808 Cleanups
Healthcare
Shriners Hospital Honolulu
https://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/honolulu/volunteer
“Our volunteers complement the care provided to our patients by assisting in patient care or support areas. Patient care areas include recreation therapy or physical therapy. Support areas include performing clerical tasks (computer skills not required), transporting our patients and their families in our vans, delivering supplies, reception/switchboard desk coverage, tutoring patients or other tasks. Only weekdays are available for volunteers at this time.”
–Shriners Hospital
Queen’s Medical Center
https://www.queens.org/careers/volunteer-careers
“Volunteers have been an integral part of The Queen's Medical Center, helping to perpetuate our mission, for more than 150 years. Volunteers assist with comfort rounding, delivery of flowers and gift baskets, gift shop, mobile library, patient transports and discharging, and more.”
–Queen’s Medical Center
Helping the Homeless
Waikiki Health Center
http://waikikihc.org/wp-content/uploads/Volunteer-Registration-Form.pdf
“Waikiki Health provides compassionate healing and expert care that result in improved health and quality of life for all in our island community. The mission of Waikiki Health is to provide quality medical and social services that are accessible and affordable for everyone, regardless of ability to pay.”
–Waikiki Health Center
The Waikiki Health Center operates the Next Step Shelter, which offers services including emergency shelter, housing placement assistance, job training, referrals, and more.
Project Hawai‘i, Inc.
https://www.helpthehomelesskeiki.org/volunteer
“The mission of Project Hawai‘i Inc. is to help our islands’ keiki (children) break the cycle of poverty. Since 2003, our dedicated volunteers strive to enhance their lives by providing year round supportive services that help to build their self-esteem and learn the proper life and social skills to succeed. We are able to change their lives by providing a sense of stability through our holiday events, school support, educational training and monthly outreach. Our award winning summer educational program has allowed our homeless children to be first generation to graduate high school and attend college. We provide our services and outreach to over 1,600 individual homeless children throughout the year.”
–Project Hawai‘i Inc.
Environment
Paepae o He‘eia
https://paepaeoheeia.org/volunteer/
“Paepae o He‘eia is a private non-profit organization dedicated to caring for He‘eia Fishpond – an ancient Hawaiian fishpond located in He‘eia Uli, Ko‘olaupoko, O‘ahu. Paepae o He‘eia relies heavily on a dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer base to get much of the restoration and rehabilitation work completed. The work is physically rigorous but very rewarding.”
–Paepae o He‘eia
Ka Papa Lo‘i o Kānewai at UH Mānoa
https://manoa.hawaii.edu/hshk/ka-papa-loi-o-kanewai/getinvolved/
“Ka Papa Loʻi ʻo Kānewai sustains a thriving taro patch that shares its resources with the community. First Saturdays are open to anyone in the community looking for an opportunity to experience traditional farming methods, converse with Hawaiian Language speakers, talk story with practitioners, ku‘i ‘ai, ku‘i ka imu, and enjoy the day with family and friends.”
–Ka Papa Lo‘i o Kānewai at UH Mānoa
Protect & Preserve Hawai‘i
https://www.protectpreservehi.org
Volunteer opportunities on Big Island, Kauai, Maui, Molokai and Oahu.
Kupu
http://www.kupuhawaii.org/programs/#internship-openings
Learn how to "Go Green" and volunteer with Kupu Hawaii.
Department of Land and Natural Resources
https://dlnr.ivolunteer.com/#1
Check out these volunteer opportunities with the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) across all islands, including some at the Diamond Head State Monument.
Animals
Oahu Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
https://oahuspca.org/Volunteer-Opportunities
The Oahu Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or Oahu SPCA, offers services including a shelter and rehabilitation program for rescued animals, a foster care program for animals, affordable adoption, and low cost sterilization and veterinary services. Volunteer assignments include dog walking, cat care, customer service/data entry, housekeeping, and more.
Hawai‘i Wildlife Center
https://www.hawaiiwildlifecenter.org/volunteer.html
“We are always looking for volunteers to help us at the Hawaii Wildlife Center. Volunteers in the wildlife department get to go behind the scenes in the wildlife hospital and may also get the opportunity to work with wildlife staff on patient care.”
–Hawai‘i Wildlife Center
They are also looking for facility volunteers, as well as education and outreach volunteers.
Hawaiian Humane Society
https://hawaiianhumane.org/volunteer-with-us
Become a care-taker for animals or help to prevent animal cruelty by volunteering with the Hawaiian Humane Society.
Honolulu Zoo Society
https://www.honoluluzoo.org/get-involved/volunteer-programs/
“Volunteering at the Honolulu Zoo is a great way to learn about animals, gain valuable experience, support a beloved community institution, support conservation initiatives, meet new people and work outdoors in a lush tropical environment! Join the Honolulu Zoo’s volunteer program and contribute to the Zoo’s mission of inspiring the stewardship of our living world.” –Honolulu Zoo
Certain volunteer programs are still available during the pandemic! For those 18 and under, please use the link above. For those 18 and over, please click here.
Elderly
Lunalilo Home
https://www.lunalilo.org/giving/volunteer
*Not available during COVID-19
“We strive to provide loving and compassionate services for kūpuna that preserve dignity and independence in a comfortable, secure and supportive environment. We invite you to share your aloha and spend time with our kūpuna. Larger community service projects may include painting portions of the facility or assisting in landscaping projects.”
–Lunalilo Home
Lanakila Pacific
https://www.lanakilapacific.org/volunteer
“Lanakila Meals on Wheels is Hawaii’s largest and only island-wide home delivered meal provider for seniors and individuals with disabilities. We’re always looking for energetic volunteers who want to help package or deliver meals.”
–Lanaklia Pacific
Theater and Arts
The Hawai‘i International Film Festival
“Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF) endeavors to recognize new and emerging talent, promote career development and original collaborations through innovative education programs, and facilitate dynamic cultural exchange through the cinema arts.”
–Hawai‘i International Film Festival
Volunteers are needed for information booths and operations, theater operations, program guide distribution, tech and projection booth assistants, and more.
Miscellaneous
AccesSurf
https://www.accessurf.org/volunteer/
*Not available during COVID-19
“AccesSurf builds an inclusive community that empowers people with disabilities through accessible beach and water programs. In following the spirit of Duke Kahanamoku, AccesSurf continues to be a pioneer in the advancement of adaptive water sports, ocean recreation, and therapeutic instruction for people with disabilities throughout the state of Hawaii and worldwide. We have a range of areas that we need volunteers to help us keep our programs a success. Set up, surfing, assisted swim, water transfer, water safety, check in, equipment check out, food area, equipment maintenance and teardown.”
–AccesSurf
Ronald McDonald House
https://www.ronaldhousehawaii.org/volunteer.php
*Not available during COVID-19
“The Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Hawaii (RMHC-HI) volunteers are the foundation of our House. As a volunteer, you assist us in many remarkable ways from administrative duties to light house cleaning. By contributing your time to volunteer, you will enable us to continue our mission to help families with seriously ill children.”
–Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Hawaii
You can also host lunch or dinner or baked goods! Bring ingredients and cook or bake for the families staying in the house.
Waikīkī Aquarium
https://www.waikikiaquarium.org/support/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities/
*Not available during COVID-19
“At the Waikīkī Aquarium, our mission is to inspire and promote understanding, appreciation, and conservation of Pacific marine life.”
–Waikīkī Aquarium
There are a wide variety of volunteer opportunities available, from aquarium educators, aquarist assistants, gift shop ambassadors, gardeners, and much more. They even offer internships.
YWCA
https://www.ywcaoahu.org/volunteer
*Not available during COVID-19
“YWCA’s mission is to eliminate racism and empower women through housing, economic self-sufficiency, professional development, and health and wellness. Volunteer opportunities exist in each of these areas, from sorting donated clothing to teaching women basic computer skills. You can even coach swimming or help build shelves for classrooms.”
–YWCA
YMCA
https://www.ymcahonolulu.org/volunteer
“The YMCA of Honolulu is thankful to have the support and dedication of thousands of volunteers every year who support our work, our values and our mission to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, Y volunteers give men, women and children of all ages and from all walks of life the resources and support they need to be healthy, confident, connected and secure. The Y is always in need of specific skills and services. If you’d like to help us out, give us a call. We could use your services.”
–YMCA
Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii
https://www.bgch.com/get-involved/volunteer/
“The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Hawaii is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The after-school hours have become a critical time for youth – a time when many children in our communities are left to fend for themselves without positive adult supervision. We provide a safe place filled with hope and opportunity, ongoing relationships with caring adult mentors, and enriching programs.”
–Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii
Hawaii Foodbank
https://hawaiifoodbank.org/volunteer/
“Now, more than ever, people are facing food insecurity and counting on Hawaii Foodbank. Schools and businesses are not fully open, many kūpuna are still homebound, and many others continue to struggle with drastically altered work schedules as a result of COVID-19. If you don’t face higher risks for COVID-19, please consider signing up to volunteer with us!”
–Hawaii Foodbank
American Red Cross
https://www.redcross.org/local/hawaii/volunteer.html
“Our need for volunteers is constant and continues to evolve as we navigate this health crisis. Please rest assured we are working with public health officials to help keep local communities and our volunteers safe. Volunteer opportunities include supporting blood donations and delivering much-needed services to your community. We even have a wide variety of remote (work-from-home) opportunities available.”
–American Red Cross
The Institute for Human Services
https://ihshawaii.org/help/volunteer
“IHS, The Institute for Human Services is a private non-profit organization. By working with partners in government, business and community organizations, we deliver a spectrum of services with urgency, embrace innovation, and advocate for system changes through community education and outreach. IHS needs your help more than ever.”
–The Institute for Human Services
