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A cultural exchange, learning about organic gardening in Hawaii, United States
Last activity
: 19 Mar 2025
Profile information
Usually responds within 5 days
Min stay requested: 1 month or more
Workawayers needed
Possibility that workawayers are needed
No availability
Details
Host ref number: 877719933774
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Feedback (21)
Left by Workawayer (Leticia & Stefan) for host
Our experience in was great!! We stayed for roughly 2 months at Melanie's farm and could learn and help a lot. Stefan has electrical knowledge and had some related projects, including the solar panel installation. And I have business administration skills and could help on the inventory management. Besides of that, on a daily basis, we helped
… read more taking care of the chickens, weeding, picking, trimming, producing juices and dried fruits, as well as selling them on Hana's Friday Farmers Market.
We stayed at the bungalow, which is very comfy and had everything we needed. A simple bedroom, small kitchen and living room. The toilet and shower were outside, and we really enjoyed it. On top of that, Mel made sure we always had food staples (rice, flour, canned corn, cereal, seasonings, etc), kitchen utensils and equipment (dishes, cutlery, frying pans, pots, rice cooker, bread maker, mixer, etc).
Mel is an amazing soul, very generous, always willing to share her knowledge with us and offering to take us to different places around Hana. We couldn't be more grateful for the time we had there and we hope to come back one day. This is definitely a magic place, perfect for healing and connecting with the nature! Mahalo!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Leticia & Stefan)
Leticia and Stefan were a joy to have on the farm and helped with such a wide variety of tasks. Stefan assisted with some solar upgrade and other things requiring knowledge of electrical skill while Leticia created a bookkeeping system and also was a great team member with our other guests to keep projects flowing smoothly. Both have a great sense
… read more of humor, good work ethic, and are appreciative of all of the little things in nature and their experience in Hana. It was my pleasure to include them in outings to explore favorite spots and network with other friends in the community to see places off the beaten path. Leticia and Stefan are lovely people and very gifted in a variety of ways. It would be our pleasure to have them back any time because they made such a positive impact on our homestead. Mahalo and A hui hou!
Adrienn and Zoldt were fabulous guests who had a terrific work ethic and made so many positive contributions to our farm. Zoldt has skills in carpentry and a keen sense of how to fix things. We were able to get some things fixed that others had given up on but Zoldt had the perseverance and ability to trouble shoot and problem solve which is a
… read more rare quality nowadays. This is truly a gift in our throw away culture and we appreciated his self starter approach to things without 'watching the clock' ... he would want to see a job completed. Adrienne helped me with many things preparing food and organizing. She always had a positive attitude and grateful to be at our farm, enjoying nature and the experience. Because they cheerfully gave so much, it was a pleasure to give back and show them special spots in Hana and enrich their experience here. We would hightly recommend this lovely couple and welcome them back any time. A hui hou!
Dear Melanie and Kevin!
Thank you for the time spent together on the farm. We loved Maui, Hana, the area, the programs. We gained a lot of new knowledge.
Thank you is probably not enough.
Mahalo!
Adrienn & Zsolt
Left by host for Workawayer (Seda & Ellie)
Seda and Ellie were here for 3 months and we would have gladly extended their stay if they had not already made a commitment to go to a Workaway on the Big Island. Both girls were helpful in so many aspects of the farm operation. I found that after a while, they were self starters and could anticipate what I would need help on and dig in. Their
… read more positive attitude was so much appreciated and over the course of their stay, there was always gratitude, smiles and a cheerful approach to everything we did. They were fabulous team members and worked with our other guests in harmony....we had a variety of celebrations together and explored some of my favorite spots together with our other guests. Over time, Seda and Ellie were more like additional daughters in my life and I would welcome them back in a heartbeat. A hui hou to two wonderful human beings!
Left by Workawayer (Seda & Ellie) for host
Melanie was an exceptional host! As two girls who had never done work exchange before, we felt safe, accommodated and cared for during our 3 month stay. Hana is such an amazing place with beautiful sights, beaches and people. It is a very small and rural community which has pros and cons, so if you're looking for an escape from the rest of the
… read more world and to come back to nature Hana is the place for you. The work is varied from weeding/landscaping, moving rocks in the river bed, picking and processing fruit to helping Melanie clean and organize around the house. Be ready for hard work in hot and humid weather as well as lots of mosquitos! We would definitely recommend bringing bug spray and long pants and sleeves for work to avoid excessive mosquito bites. Our accommodations were incredible! We stayed in the bunkhouse which has a screened-in private kitchen and living area as well as a separate bedroom and private bathroom/shower. Melanie is super generous and fair with the food staples she provides. We couldn't recommend staying with Melanie more; she is a very special soul who we had a wonderful connection with. She has a ton of knowledge about Hawaiian plants, animals, places and culture. We can't wait until we cross paths with Melanie again, or come and visit! Mahalo Melanie! <3You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
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Left by Workawayer (Leticia & Stefan) for host
Our experience in was great!! We stayed for roughly 2 months at Melanie's farm and could learn and help a lot. Stefan has electrical knowledge and had some related projects, including the solar panel installation. And I have business administration skills and could help on the inventory management. Besides of that, on a daily basis, we helped
… read more taking care of the chickens, weeding, picking, trimming, producing juices and dried fruits, as well as selling them on Hana's Friday Farmers Market.
We stayed at the bungalow, which is very comfy and had everything we needed. A simple bedroom, small kitchen and living room. The toilet and shower were outside, and we really enjoyed it. On top of that, Mel made sure we always had food staples (rice, flour, canned corn, cereal, seasonings, etc), kitchen utensils and equipment (dishes, cutlery, frying pans, pots, rice cooker, bread maker, mixer, etc).
Mel is an amazing soul, very generous, always willing to share her knowledge with us and offering to take us to different places around Hana. We couldn't be more grateful for the time we had there and we hope to come back one day. This is definitely a magic place, perfect for healing and connecting with the nature! Mahalo!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Leticia & Stefan)
Leticia and Stefan were a joy to have on the farm and helped with such a wide variety of tasks. Stefan assisted with some solar upgrade and other things requiring knowledge of electrical skill while Leticia created a bookkeeping system and also was a great team member with our other guests to keep projects flowing smoothly. Both have a great sense
… read more of humor, good work ethic, and are appreciative of all of the little things in nature and their experience in Hana. It was my pleasure to include them in outings to explore favorite spots and network with other friends in the community to see places off the beaten path. Leticia and Stefan are lovely people and very gifted in a variety of ways. It would be our pleasure to have them back any time because they made such a positive impact on our homestead. Mahalo and A hui hou!
Adrienn and Zoldt were fabulous guests who had a terrific work ethic and made so many positive contributions to our farm. Zoldt has skills in carpentry and a keen sense of how to fix things. We were able to get some things fixed that others had given up on but Zoldt had the perseverance and ability to trouble shoot and problem solve which is a
… read more rare quality nowadays. This is truly a gift in our throw away culture and we appreciated his self starter approach to things without 'watching the clock' ... he would want to see a job completed. Adrienne helped me with many things preparing food and organizing. She always had a positive attitude and grateful to be at our farm, enjoying nature and the experience. Because they cheerfully gave so much, it was a pleasure to give back and show them special spots in Hana and enrich their experience here. We would hightly recommend this lovely couple and welcome them back any time. A hui hou!
Dear Melanie and Kevin!
Thank you for the time spent together on the farm. We loved Maui, Hana, the area, the programs. We gained a lot of new knowledge.
Thank you is probably not enough.
Mahalo!
Adrienn & Zsolt
Left by host for Workawayer (Seda & Ellie)
Seda and Ellie were here for 3 months and we would have gladly extended their stay if they had not already made a commitment to go to a Workaway on the Big Island. Both girls were helpful in so many aspects of the farm operation. I found that after a while, they were self starters and could anticipate what I would need help on and dig in. Their
… read more positive attitude was so much appreciated and over the course of their stay, there was always gratitude, smiles and a cheerful approach to everything we did. They were fabulous team members and worked with our other guests in harmony....we had a variety of celebrations together and explored some of my favorite spots together with our other guests. Over time, Seda and Ellie were more like additional daughters in my life and I would welcome them back in a heartbeat. A hui hou to two wonderful human beings!
Left by Workawayer (Seda & Ellie) for host
Melanie was an exceptional host! As two girls who had never done work exchange before, we felt safe, accommodated and cared for during our 3 month stay. Hana is such an amazing place with beautiful sights, beaches and people. It is a very small and rural community which has pros and cons, so if you're looking for an escape from the rest of the
… read more world and to come back to nature Hana is the place for you. The work is varied from weeding/landscaping, moving rocks in the river bed, picking and processing fruit to helping Melanie clean and organize around the house. Be ready for hard work in hot and humid weather as well as lots of mosquitos! We would definitely recommend bringing bug spray and long pants and sleeves for work to avoid excessive mosquito bites. Our accommodations were incredible! We stayed in the bunkhouse which has a screened-in private kitchen and living area as well as a separate bedroom and private bathroom/shower. Melanie is super generous and fair with the food staples she provides. We couldn't recommend staying with Melanie more; she is a very special soul who we had a wonderful connection with. She has a ton of knowledge about Hawaiian plants, animals, places and culture. We can't wait until we cross paths with Melanie again, or come and visit! Mahalo Melanie! <3You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Ludmila)
Ludmila was an exceptional guest with skill sets way beyond her years. She is a self starter and knows how to tackle a job, whether it be fence building or stone work or demonstrating the fine art of French cuisine. She shared her knowledge of processing chickens after they are no longer laying and making a secure laying area away from
… read more predators... although she only stayed 5 weeks at our farm during her world tour, we enjoyed each day and got so much accomplished. She's a team player and a leader. We hope to see her again in the future as she is destined to do great things with her gifts and positive attitude towards life. A hui hou Ludmila dear!
Left by Workawayer (Ludmila) for host
First MAHALO Melanie for accept my request 1 year before even if I didn't had any review .
I spent 5 weeks in Hana with Melanie and the others workaway , it was really interesting I was the most skilled so I really enjoy teaching the others about construction , butchered chicken etc
everyone was there for helping and work as a team , teaching
… read more and learning was a part of the deal and I loved that , Melanie teach me about her culture, the island , the food , just amazing I will miss ulu !
5 weeks was going so fast but I'm proud of everyone on the farm we finish a lot of things ; Melanie have chicken and ducks you will need to take care of them but they are not so many so it's really easy , after most of the time will be taking care of the land , the fruct trees , cleaning around and some construction work if you know how to do it .
she have a beautiful property , really spacious and so many things . you will live in a caban with everything inside , kitchen , some basic food like spices peanuts butter etc . all was perfect ! the view , the sound of the waves 🌊
also one really good things it's on Friday it's the farmers market so you will have the opportunity to prepare dry fruct , sale product from the farm etc what I really enjoyed I was able to practice my English it was an amazing experience for me thanks for your trust Melanie .
I think Melanie need to have some people with construction skills for helping her in the project and build more things, the property got a lot of potential .
in reality the work is not really hard , but you will need to deal with mosquitos , so bring bug spray .
Melanie was really understanding and flexible , she was working with us everyday , she is really brave im impress by her mentality. so strong it reminds me how my grandma was and how people need to be ! not lazy , full of passion , simple , open minded , positive and kind
mahalo Melanie for everything see you soon in France 🇫🇷 you are a part of my ohana now ❤️
Left by Workawayer (Carly) for host
Aloha!!! I'm sitting here reminiscing about my time spent in Hana and I realized I never left a review on my experience at Melanie and Kevin's farm.... wow where do I even begin. This experience changed my life!!! It was my first workaway and honestly the longest I've ever been away from home. I was honestly pretty nervous and unsure about the
… read more adventure i was getting ready to embark upon but the moment I stepped off the plane I knew that I made the right decision. Melanie is warm and comforting mana. Hana is a very healing place where you will connect with the aina and yourself on a whole other level. We practiced Lokahi daily and got our hands dirty tending to the aina. Melanie is a very hard worker... the invasive vines stood no chance against warrior Melanie. The work is meditative until you are faced with a thick African Tulip that's not going down without a fight. I miss indulging in all the fresh juicy fruit, working the farmers markets, Crystal's yoga classes, Rumba, Kiko, Archie, Kevin's stories, Kaihalulu, Karaoke.... the list could go on forever. I'm so grateful to have experienced and learned about the beautiful culture and sacred land of Hawaii. I think about my time spent there everyday. Mahalo Melanie for being an amazing teacher and friend. Aloha <3You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Calli) for host
I'm writing this extremely late as I have been traveling non-stop this summer so I apologize haha! I finally have some time to write back. My time at Melanies was one that I will cherish forever, this was my first workaway experience so I was going blind into this! I was lucky enough to learn so much culture from the community and everyone was so
… read more nice and welcoming, which made it extremely hard to leave. The animals on the farm are so cute and precious and I miss all of them dearly! Melanie is truly the definition of a hard worker. I've really never met anyone like her where she can power through with a smile on her face. Anyone who meets her is lucky to have her. The work is extremely tough! I enjoyed it and it left me feeling very satisfied, I hope years from now I'll be lucky enough to come and see the farm again and still see it thriving. If you are someone who is in need of taking a break from living a busy life, and just something different this is the place for you. I hope whoever reads this enjoys their journey and thrives!
Thank you, Melanie! :)
Chloe and "Kelpie" were wonderful guests who appreciated every day at the place and gave 100% to their tasks. They are the kind of people who give us faith in humanity...conscientious, kind, hard working, sensitive culturally and respectful of the land and its gifts. We enjoyed every day with these lovely people from England who are seekers and
… read more exploring life's possibilities. They made a special contribution to the homestead in the weeks here and it was a pleasure spending time working side by side or exploring Hana and its special places. I only have the highest praise for these two. We were blessed.
We will be forever grateful for our time with Melanie, Kevin. It was our first WorkAway experience, and we learnt so much in our five weeks there - we didn't want to leave! It truly became a new home and we miss it dearly. The work was varied enough and as long as you are meeting the hours and needs of the land and Farmer's Market, you have plenty
… read more of time to explore beautiful Hana. During our stay, the work mainly consisted of weeding, landscaping, fencing, clearing the stream, building wooden frames for the car-port, painting, and cutting down the ample fruit that the aina bares. To work with the land can be rather physically demanding, especially in the tropical heat, so a good level of fitness is beneficial to the experience. Opening the coconuts every day for the chickens and ducks was always a cute task too! As well as this, we spent a lot of time helping to organise and clean the house, fix various things, and prepare the goodies (such as dried banana, coconut, starfruit, liliko'i butter, lemonade, and other juices) for the Farmer's Market which occurs every Friday. It is in a great location despite how remote the east side of Maui is - you get phone reception and are only 30-minutes' walk to some of the most stunning beaches. The cabin in which we stayed was also great, very comfortable with beautiful views over the stream and ranch. You quickly get used to the many geckos and the few spiders (which are harmless). We enjoyed several lovely dinners (wish I could still eat ulu everyday!!) with Melanie and Kevin who have great stories and warmth, we loved playing Yahtzee and jamming on the congas with them. Melanie was amazing at taking us to see some of the local sights such as the incredible Wailua Falls and Waioka Pond. We also got to spend the day in the super hipster town of Paia (about two hours away) which was really cool. This whole experience is perfect for those who want to switch-off, perhaps escape busier lives, to learn about native plants, Hawaiian traditions, and truly heal from the aina. We also bonded closely with the other WorkAwayers who were there, to which we have built a lifelong friendship with. It has been nothing short of a life-changing experience for us and so there will forever be a special place in our hearts for Melanie, Kevin, Archie, Kiko - and Maui as a whole. Lots of love from us and MAHALO!
Left by host for Workawayer (María & Paula)
Paula and Maria were delightful guests from Spain who represented their home country well. We really enjoyed their enthusiasm for the farm and all the tasks associated with making it work well. They were always so considerate and hard working, making sure things were done properly and with a cheerful approach to each day. We had special times
… read more exploring Hana together and they were flexible in helping with additional priorities that came up. Our dogs loved them and they became the face of the place at the farmers market. These wonderful guests contributed so much to the aina and also were able to receive its gifts as they are fully open to the experience. Fondest Aloha
Left by Workawayer (María & Paula) for host
Staying with Melanie and Kevin was our first workaway experience, and we couldn't have chosen better hosts. Melanie was available for us from moment one, she is very generous and considered. Since we arrive, she made sure we had the best Hawaiian experience, showing us about the culture of the islands and Maui itself, taking us to discover the
… read more best places of the island. She invited us for a few diners as well, where we shared interesting conversations, Yahtzee games and Hana tonics. She made us feel at home. The property is just lovely, with many native flora which allows you to inmerse even more in Hana's and Hawaiian culture. Our cabin was just perfect: a little flat (kitchen, toilet, living room, bedroom) in the middle of the garden. The different tasks and jobs varied everyday, but mainly were working on the garden, doing some landscaping, maintenance and weeding, fruit and food preparation and Farmer's market on Fridays. The other workaways which joined were a great addition to the team and to our experience in Hana. Thank you again for everything Melanie. We just felt at home and still miss it. We hope our paths cross again some time sooner than we expect. Mahalo and aloha.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Francesca) for host
Hello! I'm so late in writing this (ah!) but I wanted to say, Melanie and Kevin, staying with you was so cool. I was looking back at pictures the other day and found myself missing my room in Hana (I took such lovely naps after work on the fluffy green couch). Living half outdoors in the beach breeze became so natural; I think I've hated walls
… read more ever since. Where are the HUMAN-sized leaves decorating every frame I walk through? Where is the constant background music of birds and waves for my personal soundtrack? I remember a video I took from this summer of the pink sun-soaked clouds floating past your porch; there's a negative space in the clouds forming the shape of a heart, and the sound of drums playing along to a song in the background saying, "I wish you were here with me, on the beach in Hawaii." I miss being in love with every sight. Oops sorry, this is getting more sentimental than review-helpful. Maybe that's okay; your little hill in Hawaii (topped off with a gazebo for pre-sunrise sea-viewing) made me want to be outside always. I already wanted that! but being able to wake up with the light, run up the hill trailed by waddling chickens, and watch the leaves in the ulu tree become gold ovals making matching shadow-stripes on the ground, gave me memories of feelings I think I won't ever forget.
The first time you took me, Melanie, to the crescent moon shaped beach down the road, I think I cried. I hope people take care of the earth (if you are traveling to Hawaii please please do!) I don't think I could see an ocean so beautiful and not be conscious of how I interact with my surrounds. Hana seems like it is a special place; I want it to last as long as possible; I think the fruit trees and the little sea creatures stuck to rocks, the ones that we can eat, the ones that let people live alongside the earth, ask that we take care of them. Thank you for letting me be a part of taking care of the earth with you. Thank you for sharing your sweet coconut water and pineapples and lilikoi and oranges and starfruit and berries and mountain apples with me. I hope I was able to give something back to you and to the earth in some small way.
And thank you Kevin for your stories. The other day my friend asked me to tell her about someone interesting I know; I said, I met someone who took a sailboat from the mainland to Hawaii. I don't know if you guys remember me much, you must have so many visitors, but I remember you telling me about asking questions. I loved to ask them and you had such amazing stories about your lives and about Hawaii! Ever since then, I remind myself to ask questions; your stories are a part of me and I never would have gotten them if I'd only talked about myself. I think, I hope, I grew a little bit while I stayed with you. Maybe if you write a book someday you can send me a copy :)
I learned so many things while I was with you two, not just about weeding and mulching and drying candy; I learned stories of a culture that's different than my own, I learned about someone's world that's wholly different than the one I've been taught to see, we talked about love and about growing up and about ghosts! I tried to play the drums, but I think I was terribly off beat. I talked to chickens and two of the happiest dogs (dose Archer still have a vendetta against chickens?) and got to teach myself how to use watercolor while painting them. I'm sorry, I want to keep writing because I'm remembering along the way.
I hope the farm is doing well, I hope everyone is. Say hello to Soli for me? Tell her I can't find any flowers here to make leis with :( and I've forgotten all my dance moves without her to show me! I hope she keeps drawing eyebrows! And say hello to Dustin too; how are the parrotfish? What are they saying these days?
Things I'd say to anyone who wants to do workaway with Melanie and Kevin are, I guess, be open and kind. Thats sort of cliche, but if you look at all the things around you, all the wonderful people, the names and the stories behind them, the rainbow colors of the trees, and watch them grow instead of cutting them down... I don't know, maybe you'll feel happy or something. Feeling the dirt with my hands and drinking from a coconut shell made me think I was more a part of the land than a tourist. I hope I left something good behind to say thank you with. Because I really am so grateful to all four of you, and to Hana.
I am even grateful to the nonpoisonous spider whose giant web was my noon-time nap neighbor. It's true really haha, I miss having nature alive so close to me!
Well, that was more of a letter I guess :) Anyway,
Love,
FrancescaYou can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Eric & Linda) for host
Wow, what an absolutely once in a lifetime opportunity to spend time on the Ranch in Hana with Melanie and her beautiful family. I would not hesitate to recommend this Workaway experience to anybody that feels called to it. It is a work exchange so the work can be challenging at times but always rewarding as the Aina seems to return the energy
… read more two-fold that is put into it!
We feel extremely grateful to Melanie and the beautiful people (and animals) in her life for whole-heartedly accepting us into their close circle and really treating us as Ohana. We learned so much not just about Hawaii and local culture but also about things that go beyond words such as living Aloha.
The bunkhouse and living areas are so comfortable and Melanie always made sure we had everything we needed. Hana is very remote so be sure that this is not a "city" experience but more for somebody that wants to get as far away from that experience as they can so to speak. It is magical in that sense and allows one to re-connect to energies and introspective insights that are easily lost in the modern western style of living. There is a nice balance here though where you still have modern conveniences.
This is an experience that we will remember forever and the things we felt and learned will continue to serve us for the rest of our lives.
Mahalo nui loa Melanie and Family!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Kristen) for host
Where do I start? Melanie and Kevin are wonderful, wonderful people. This opportunity was an amazing first Workaway experience. Melanie really makes an effort to make sure you are comfortable and have everything you need. She is also flexible with the times for working, as long as you work 25 hours of course. For example, you can work extra for a
… read more few days and then get a few days off- which I really appreciate. I got to celebrate Christmas and my birthday here, which was so magical. For my birthday, Melanie got us fresh, local caught ahi from the farmers market. (Oh yeah- definitely make your way to the Hana's farmers market when staying here. So many lovely people in the Hana community and yummy treats.) We made the most delicious dinners with their family. Ulu fries, four corner beans, ulu "potato" salad, mahi mahi, fresh salads with veggies from the property and market, farm fresh eggs, coconut candy, lilikoi butter, dried bananas, starfruit jam, and more. I learned quite a bit about the local hawaiian (as well as the invasive) plants and herbs. Once you identify what the invasive African tulip tree and sticker grass looks like, you will want to pull it everywhere you go. Their granddaughter, Soli, is so sweet, hilarious, and has magical Yahtzee-winning powers. If you need a hair cut, I highly recommend "Soli's Salon"; I let Soli cut my hair and she did a wonderful job. She also taught a little hula class for Christmas! Speaking of dancing and music, drum nights are fantastic. Kevin has really nice bongo drums and it is so much fun to loose yourself in drumming. It is truly a piece of paradise here. Oh, and don't even get me started about the chickens and ducks. Adorable! When you are weeding, the chickens follow you around and eat the bugs. Tip: show them the centipedes, they are special treats for the chickens! The work here is a nice mix of outside work (garden/farm maintenance) and house work (cooking, food-prep, cleaning, etc). This place is a really great place to chill out, be introspective, and enjoy the peace and simple lifestyle. The accommodation is really nice, whether you get the bunkhouse or the cabin. Their daughter is an amazing artist, and her beautiful art is put up everywhere. Finally, the location is spectacular. Simply driving the road to hana is one of the most amazing experiences. Hana is a small town that is not overrun with tourists. It is a very special place, and you will feel it being there. 15 minutes walk to the left there is Kaihalulu Red Sand beach, and 25 minutes to the right is Koki beach and Hamoa black sand beach. In consideration of how far into the jungle it is, it is difficult to get places around here, so I would strongly recommend investing in a car or motorcycle for your stay.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Natasha & Brent)
Natasha and Brent brought great energy and skill sets to the farm. They were willing to tackle difficult tasks and help repair certain projects areas that had not been well thought out initially.
They worked as a team and focused on making a difference at the place while still enjoying the magic of the Hana area and other parts of Maui. We wished
… read more they could have stayed longer but other obligations pulled them away, however their positive mark was made in the short visit to our little piece of paradise.
Left by Workawayer (Natasha & Brent) for host
We had the pleasure of staying at Melanie's July/Aug of 2019. This was our first Workaway experience and we truly enjoyed it! We stayed in the cabin with the screened in porch and kitchenette area. Brent and I helped screen in the sink and stove area, and re-purposed a light into a pendant light, which was challenging but SO worth it. Melanie's
… read more place offers so many opportunities to be creative and let your natural abilities work their magic. Whether it be tending to the beautiful plants on an amazing landscape or fixing up tools or fixtures or building structures. We helped build the privacy fence between the two cabins and hope the lilies, that our dear friends planted, will blossom into something even more magical. Melanie was very understanding and flexible about our work schedules. As long as we completed our tasks for the week we were able to go and explore the island as we pleased. We mostly walked everywhere. For one week we rented a car to explore the other side of the island. Things we would recommend for future Workawayers would be to bring and/or buy bug spray (LOTS), sunscreen, hat, hardy boots, leather gloves and sun glasses. Melanie communicated extremely well with us, and let us know what we would need prior to arrival; This made everything seamless. She provided breakfast items and always made sure we had enough condiments as well as clean towels and linens. We ended up washing clothes once a week and hand washing in between. The fresh coconut water helped us stay hydrated and tasted amazing after a day's work. You must try it! This place and experience was a breath of fresh air! We were able to slow down from our fast-paced lives and really enjoy life, while contributing in a meaningful way. We are very thankful for this opportunity that Melanie and Kevin were so kind to have shared with us.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Indira)
Indira was a wonderful short term guest to fill the gap for a scheduled workaway who had to cancel last minute. She was a hard worker and eager to assist with little direction on any task assigned. She helped with the chickens, painting, weeding and drying jackfruit to name a few tasks. Her command of the English language and bright personality
… read more are exceptional aspects of her character. We are grateful to Indira for her positive contribution, even if only for a short time.
Left by Workawayer (Indira) for host
My stay at Melanie's and Kevin's place was my first workaway experience and it could not have been better.
I felt so welcome and Melanie showed me around the property with such passion. It's a huge garden with lots of fruits which I was always allowed to eat! The chickens are very cute and easy to look after. I harvested, did some weeding,
… read more watering and painting. The work was fun and very diverse which I loved because it never got boring. I made my own schedule so I was flexible with my free time.
Even though I was staying alone with Melanie and Kevin it was such a great time! Hey recommended beaches and I also got to see nice waterfalls!
I am so thankful for everything they shared with me and that I had the chance to stay with them.
Thank you Melanie and Kevin for having me. I won't ever forget my time with you and I am super grateful for all the experiences I made while staying with you!
I am sending you a big MAHALO
Indira <3You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Sporea & Jasmin)
Sporea and Jasmin: We enjoyed this couple so much for their positive approach to life and learning new things. They took such joy in being in nature and making their contribution to the aina. Hard and willing workers who always approached each day with a smile and eagerness to be fully present with their Hana experience. I appreciated the efforts
… read more to expand the language skills and tackle difficult tasks in an unfamiliar environment. If the world had more young people like Sporea and Jasmin, we all could rest easier that the planet is in good hands. Mahalo for your great energy and approach to life.
Left by Workawayer (Sporea & Jasmin) for host
Aloha !
Our time at Melanie and Kevin farm was amazing. We had the chance to learn about all different plants and fruits. We ate many bananas, avocados, papayas, starfruits, goyava, pineapples... All the fruits were delightful.
Melanie is a positive person and she is very thankful for all the work we do. It’s pleasant having her around and
… read more she’s always looking for our well-being. She is very generous and she has a wonderful soul. It’s a truly blessing working at her place. Kevin is also an awesome guy, very funny and if you are lucky, he will tell you about some amazing stories of his life !
We enjoyed our privacy. Our cabin was well equipped. We had everything we needed. The outdoor shower was very nice !
We worked hard, sometime under the sun, but it was not too much intense.
Mahalo for everything Melanie, we already miss you ! We were really lucky to meet you.
Rosalie and Andrei from Montreal, CanadaYou can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Abbie & Errin)
Abbie and Errin were a consummate joy to have on the farm for three months. They took ownership of the duties and initiative to care for the aina without needing direction. Both are spiritual and conscientious young people who are a welcome addition as guests and make the world a better place by their attitude and approach to life. They worked
… read more hard to improve the farm and made a significant contribution in so many ways. We really loved getting to know them as friends and spending time in the evenings over the holidays...they were part of our family.
Left by Workawayer (Abbie & Errin) for host
We began our journey here in beautiful Hana with these beautiful, kind, loving people and we’re so glad it was Kevin and Melanie hosting us for our first Workaway. We spent many evenings laughing, talking story and sharing our life experiences in a very open way. The work is flexible, fair and rewarding. You may learn a lot if you listen. In
… read more visiting their home in Hana and helping care for the land and it’s inhabitants (chickens) our ohana has grown and we love them dearly for that. Thank you for showing us what pono and aloha truly mean. A hui hou, Kevin and Melanie.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Calvin & Caitlin)
Calvin and Caitlyn were a great asset to our place and provided the farm with positive energy and valuable skill sets. They worked together to build a pavilion and it's a special spot to enjoy watching for pueo and wild pigs and other animals free in the forest nearby. Both were appreciative and conscientious and we enjoyed their company as
… read more friends and guests on the aina. They are intelligent and special souls who make the world a better place with their joy of just being. Mahalo for sharing time with us here in Hana!
Left by host for Workawayer (Sonia & Jacob)
Sonia and Jacob assisted with the landscaping and then focused on a chicken house remodel to make it predator proof and build nesting boxes and finish our the infrastructure. It turned out beautifully and currently houses 14 young egg layers. They were cheerful helpers and enjoyed the environment we had to offer out in the wet and wild East end of
… read more Maui. We had to deal with a male duck that we were caring for while out of town and they were adventuresome and great problem solvers. We would highly recommend them for their intelligence and willingness to apply their skills and talents to the projects at hand.
Left by Workawayer (Sonia & Jacob) for host
Melanie and Kevin were very hospitable and nice to us. We had our own hut which was beautiful. Melanie told us that we could eat any of the fruits in the garden, and it was really delicious! The avocados were absolutely amazing. We really liked the pineapple, lychee, bananas and free range eggs from the chickens, as well. Maui is beautiful and the
… read more beaches were great. We didn’t have a car the first week, and Melanie was really nice to drive us to the beaches and picking us up again, but we got a rental car for the last two weeks we stayed there, which made it much easier for everybody and we could really see all of Maui’s beauty!
The work was alright. It was hard work weeding for full days, but on the second day we got to start the project of building the chicken house which we got to finish together. It was more fun to work on a project together and we got to be in the shade most of the time.
Melanie was really nice to bring us bread, rice, beans, oats, granola, mayo and whatever we needed that she had told us that she provided. And seeing the prices of meat and dairy at the general stores, we understood why these items weren’t a part of what she and Kevin provided. If you are a vegan or vegetarian, Maui is great, especially because Melanie was so generous with the fruits in her garden and bread and ranch. We went to Costco with Melanie and got a big bag of chicken so we could make that, and Melanie had crockpots and so on, so it was really easy and delicious food we could make for ourselves.
Now, if you are allergic to mosquitoes, I have to warn, that somewhere, maybe at a neighbour’s place, mosquitoes must breed heavily. Nowhere on Maui or the big island did we see as many mosquitoes. Also, the beds weren’t the best. Melanie was really nice and asked on the second day how the bed had been, and I think I had been so tired that I hadn’t noticed, so I just said they were fine, but Jacob did say that they could be better. They are futons, as far as we could tell. But we did find out, that my pillow was a lot better than Jacob’s, and we switched on one of the last days – man, did it make a difference. Maybe a new mattress and a couple of good pillows would do wonders, but obviously it’s easy to “spend” other people’s money so to speak.
Watch out for coconuts overhead or falling banana trees when trimming together – the fruits are delicious, though!
Mahalo, Melanie and Kevin, and aloha from Jacob and Sonia!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Julian & Nadin)
Wonderful people who made a positive contribution to the farm. They are truly exceptional human beings and we are blessed to have met both of them.
Left by host for Workawayer (Ariane & Jordan)
It was a pleasure having Ariane and Jordan at our farm with their positive energy and willingness to work at all tasks assigned with a cheerful attitude. They appreciated all of the aspects of being in Hana and took good care of the animals and plants with loving care. They gave their best efforts and wanting to reciprocate was a natural
… read more progression. Ariane and Jordan would be a welcome addition to any workaway opportunity.
Left by Workawayer (Ariane & Jordan) for host
We loved our stay at Melanie’s place! We were happy to be surrounded with animals (ducks, chicken and a cute cat), flowers, plants and a lot of fruits which we could eat as much as we wanted. The accommodations were great, our cabin was comfortable, especially the bed and we liked the outdoor shower a lot! The work was hard mostly because it was
… read more physical and under the sun, but it was not too hard and it was completely worth it. Melanie is a wonderful person and she really did her best to make sure our stay was enjoyable (and it was)!!! She always checked if we had everything we needed and she often offered to drive us to the beach. She even did something to celebrate my birthday which was so nice and thoughtful of her! Also, she was always smiling and in a good mood so it was very pleasant to work with her. We are really grateful for this experience and meeting Melanie was a true pleasure, we would definitely love to go back in the future!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Kacper & Andżelika)
Kasper and Angelique were absolutely fabulous guests at our place and always approached their days with positivity and appreciation. We exchanged cultural notes between Poland and Hawaii and the enriching experience was a total win-win with this wonderful young couple. Their skill sets were valuable and they worked conscientiously and with total
… read more commitment. We were blessed to have shared these times together.
Left by Workawayer (Kacper & Andżelika) for host
Hana is a lovely and very peaceful place on Hawaii.
You can really take a rest from civilization there. You can feel the power of nature. Nearby there are amazing spots to swim and snorkel. The property is a beautiful garden full of fruit bearing trees. The cabin we stayed at was very comfortable and well equipped. Melanie was always helpful,
… read more kind, cordial and communicative to us. We left a piece of our heart in Hana. We wish we can come back in the future. Thank you so much for your hospitality! Mahalo Melanie and Kevin!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Akiko) for host
The 2weeks I spend time with Melanine and Kevin was so special in my life.
Their hearts are ALOHA, and always think about how I can stay comfortable.
Even, English is my second language, some times I couldn't understand , I felt heartful Aloha spirit.
I could feel and enjoy beautiful nature every moment, and find inner peace .
It was my own
… read more retreat to healing myself.
I never forget this special experience.
Thanks a lot!!!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Akiko)
Akiko was a pleasure to have at our place. She works hard and has a very spiritual outlook on life and the service she provides in the garden. We were able to enjoy working together on landscaping projects and Akiko always was appreciative and felt blessed for the opportunity to stay in such a beautiful and magical spot in Hana. Akiko always
… read more respected our privacy and was a self starter who knew how to follow through on tasks in my absence. Highly recommended as someone who is open to the beauty of nature's bounty and wants to learn.
Left by host for Workawayer (Pierre)
Pierre was a delightful guest, full of intelligence and humor. An artist with many other skills and talents. He assisted with screening in the cabin to keep bugs and mainly mosquitoes out. He fixed my daughter's broken ukulele so that other guests can enjoy the music! Another project was to organize the tools and work space and then begin a
… read more chicken house remodel. Having Pierre working at the farm was a great cultural exchange and we were able to teach much of Hawaiian life and culture and he shared his Basque songs and artwork with us. A total win-win.
Left by Workawayer (Pierre) for host
In a biological universe in the middle of the Pacific, where we met an exceptional couple who opened the gates to the Hawaiian world for us, a world of fruit, mysticism and fascinating natural discoveries. Living with Kevin and Melanie is opening your heart to nature to understand the deep meaning of the word "Aloha". We worked fairly and Melanie
… read more was always there to help us. This place is exceptional and the people who live there are too. I will never forget that night under the Hawaiian stars punctuated by an improvised percussion concert on the terrace of the house. Thank you for having welcomed us I wish you the best for the future and I recommend to anyone to discover the wild spirit from excellence. Aloha. Pierre and NicolasYou can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Nicolas)
Nicholas made a significant contribution to our farm. He utilized his engineering skills to assist with framing and screening in the porch of the cabin and deconstructed an old building to begin the construction of a new chicken house. Nicholas honored our privacy and was a self-starter, always polite and considerate as a guest. He has
… read more organizational skills and works well as a team player. I would recommend Nicholas as someone of high integrity, intelligence, humor and with a good work ethic. Hearing the Basque songs coming from the cabin at night was a pleasure.
Left by Workawayer (Nicolas) for host
Melanie, Kev, i think i spent one of the most wonderful moment of my life in your place. Hana, is a very spiritual and pure place to refill the batteries, enjoying the beach, fauna, flora and the surf too ^^ Melanie and Kev's home is also a place to share with them what we really think about all, to play drums on saturday nights, to speak about
… read more our own stories with wild animals, to sing, to eat... all. The garden is really full of fruit trees, lemon trees, coconut trees, passion fruit trees, there is also chickens, a duck, plenty of birds and wild mangousts. They are very kind and involved to make well the daily life of workawayers. If you like the essence of nature, that could be a great experiement. Mahalo Melanie, mahalo Kev, Aloha.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Come participate in a non profit eco-farm community on top of the Santa Cruz Mountains, USA
Aliens are everywhere. Come and see ours in Roswell, USA
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A cultural exchange, learning about organic gardening in Hawaii, United States
Information for those planning to visit the US
If you are NOT a US CITIZEN and are planning to visit to work, volunteer or study, YOU WILL NEED THE CORRECT VISA. To find out more information you need to contact the embassy in your home country BEFORE travelling. Do NOT attempt to enter the USA without the correct visa!
Art Projects
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