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Description
I am living out my dream of a more sustainable off-grid lifestyle, constantly learning, and putting into practice what I have learned from my own experiences volunteering. I traveled in similar programs, and will again in the future, so I know what it's like to be a volunteer. I try to make the volunteer experience how I would have liked it. I try to give rides into town when I can, and you can share in some of my own adventures hiking, camping, snorkeling, going to the beach.
I have hosted many great volunteers who have done amazing things to improve the homestead. They have helped build a lanai, clear jungle for new plantings, built an outdoor kitchen, built a composting toilet, built chicken coups, painted murals, harvested crops, experiment with chocolate making from raw cacao, wine making from our own fruits, and plenty more.
You will need to sign a volunteer waiver of liability and property rules agreement before any arrangements are confirmed. All volunteers are also required to provide proof of current health insurance or travel insurance.
If you're interested in volunteering please send a message that explains your relevant experience. If it's a potential fit, we'll schedule a call :)
** Only hosting couples & groups right now. Thank you **
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will be living in a thriving fruit forest. You will be able to pick and enjoy seasonal foods including bananas, avocado, star fruit, oranges, grapefruits, lemons, coconut, guava, loquat, mangosteen, passion fruit, jaboticaba, surinam cherries, cocoa pods and many more. You will experience living more sustainably off grid , and I will do my best to expose you to local culture and values.
Jan-May you may get to learn how to ferment cacao from our own tree!
Help
My biggest need right now is for experienced carpenters, and those passionate about permaculture.
My farm is finally fenced in, and it's time to start food jungle! This means there is a lot of:
- growing (from seed, air-layering, and cuttings), watering, fertilizing and plantings
- mulching (using a wood chipper)
- weeding and spreading perennial peanut, and sweet potato
- building hugelbeds and raised beds
On the construction side:
- building a new toolshed
- building a black soldier fly composting and harvesting system to feed the chickens sustainably
- building a covered outdoor yoga and activity space
- tile for a kitchen backsplash
Ongoing help will involve:
* feeding and talking to the ducks, chickens, & goats
* mowing
* weeding
* mulching/chipping/shredding/composting invasive species
* harvesting
* processing
***THINGS TO NOTE***
You should be prepared to help in the rain. BRING GOOD BOOTS AND A RAINCOAT. We are often blessed with daily mauka showers (light rain rolling out from the mountains), that usually clear up mid morning. March, November, and the surrounding months are considered the rainy season.
This homestead is located in the jungle. Hawaii is blessed with NO snakes but there are geckos, rats, roaches, mosquitos and wild pigs out there. Geckos find their way in your space no matter what... but most people find them super cute. They are curious, but harmless.
Nighttime is a symphony of natures sounds. Coqui frogs begin their mating call as the sun goes down. Some love it, and others will prefer to sleep in earplugs.
** THINGS TO BRING ****
- Good work boots (rubber recommended if you don't like wet feet, but good hiking boots can do double duty)
- good hiking boots (if you don't want your work boots to do double duty)
- work clothes (pants and long sleeves recommended, 2 pairs if you don't like to put wet clothes on)
- slippers/sandals (something to slip into/out of easily)
- light sweater / hoodie (mornings can be a chili 65 degrees)
- good raincoat/pants if you don't like getting wet
- bug spray
- REEF SAFE sunscreen (this is available on island)
- earplugs for nighttime if you like it really quite
- headphones/earbuds - music, phone calls, and videos should be private during quiet hours
- dry case for electronics
- cell phone battery (charge this during the day, so you can charge your phone at night)
- water bottle
- headlamp & flashlight
- Camping gear (if you want to camp/backpack while you are here. I don't have gear for you)
- Surf gear (if you plan to surf). Wetsuit top/rash guard. surf booties/water shoes (sharp reef)
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
Accommodation
You are provided with dry comfy sleeping accommodations, use of communal kitchen facility including stove and fridge space, GOOD wifi access (NO ILLEGAL DOWNLOADING!), hot showers, and composting toilet. The sleeping accommodations provide some privacy but you must be prepared to share common areas and be comfortable with communal life and some rules to keep the areas clean/tidy. It is open air living. The bathroom is its own structure.
What else ...
The bus can drop you off 2 miles from the property. I can pick you up there. If flying into the Kona side you will need to arrange travel to the Hilo side. The bus only runs across island 2x a day, check the schedule in advance. Hitchhiking is possible here, but be prepared to improvise if it doesn't work out. There are very limited rideshares like ubers & lifts, and they rarely run late at night.
* Google maps has finally been updated with the local bus routes! This makes public transportation much easier *
Occasionally I can give you a lift when headed into town, but I'm not a taxi.
There are two bikes for helper use. Within 2 miles there is a general store, bar, cafe, and daily farmers market. You can bike or walk to both.
Pahoa is a 15 minute drive away and is a charming hippy village. Lots of great music, bars (affordably priced!) and an open air market. Its a fantastic place to dance to local bands, shop local wears, and really get a feel for the vibe of the area.
Hilo is 20 minutes away and is great for night life, shopping, surfing (more advanced).
Ha'ena (shipmans) beach is a 10 minutes drive, followed by 90 minute hike. It's a fairly secluded beautiful black sand beach and honu (sea turtle) sanctuary. You have a good chance of seeing the majestic creature anytime you make the hike.
Kahena Beach (stunning black sand beach (clothing optional). It is like you went back in time to Woodstock, but at the beach. Drum circle Sunday is a popular.
We are not selling produce from this homestead to the public, so we can't provide any paid volunteer positions or reimbursements for travel.
This is a quiet property, where we respect our communities quiet hours. 8pm (weekday) and 10pm (weekend). If you are hoping to party, this is not the exchange for you. This is a cigarette free property. Alcohol is allowed for responsible consumption, there is zero tolerance for intoxication.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
The wifi is fast. However, the homestead activity schedule needs to be your scheduling priority, and the space is not setup for private working conditions.
Space for parking camper vans
There is room for helpers to park their own car.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
15
Feedback (15)
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Pat's experience traveling and working really shows in the way that he hosts. His hours are fare, he works alongside his volunteers, he's happy to share knowledge and explain new things and trusts his volunteers to… read more
Jeff and I stayed for 3 months and quickly became very close friends with Pat and Jody. We had plenty of privacy in our cabin and the work was fair, enjoyable, and fulfilling. Pat and Jody went out of their way to take us on multiple hikes and adventures every week. They even brought us along on… read more
* clearing fence line (chainsaw and reciprocating saw)
* spreading cinders/gravel for the driveway and trailmaking
*… read more
This was my first work trade opportunity. These generous, free-spirited, kind, intelligent beings provided me with (IMO) upscale living conditions, tons of memorable excursions around the island, accurate knowledge about diverse Hawaiian topics, and great energy.
I miss them and will… read more
Jody was always cooking a delicious meal, and there was plenty of food to snack on any… read more
