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Kula, Maui

Go behind-the-scenes with the stewards of Haleakalā National Park and zipline over restored native forests.

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Step beyond the usual Maui itinerary and step into the living forests of Haleakalā. This private conservation Immersion brings you alongside local conservationists, bird biologists, and cultural practitioners working to restore one of Hawai’i’s vital watersheds in Upcountry Maui. Get your hands dirty in a native plant nursery, help replant trees in recovering forest, then zipline above the canopy of native forests you just helped restore. Part adventure, part restoration—this is Maui from the inside out.

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Immersion overview

From high above the clouds to rooted in soil, experience a day of action and impact.

This immersive conservation journey invites a small group of guests into the National Park, in a way that few ever experience, guided by the people who have dedicated their lives to protecting Haleakalā’s forests, watersheds, and endemic species.

The day begins with a warm welcome at the entrance to Haleakalā National Park, followed by a visit to the summit, where you see the iconic views overlooking Maui, learn about the history of the National Park, and the work their team is doing to protect endemic species only found in this special place. 

Embark on a guided hike through the Hosmer Grove Loop with experts. As you move through this high-elevation forest, bird biologists share insight into native and endangered species, the delicate balance of the ecosystem, and why watershed health is foundational to Maui’s future.

Enjoy a locally sourced picnic lunch surrounded by towering trees and birdsong, where you engage in intimate conversation with conservation experts, learning how forest restoration directly impacts freshwater recharge, wildfire resilience, biodiversity recovery, and climate adaptation across the island.

In the afternoon, you’ll  gain rare, behind-the-scenes access to Haleakalā Conservancy’s operational spaces with Executive Director, Olena Alec. This includes access to the baseyard, the native plant nursery, and protected areas where endemic species such as the iconic silversword, found nowhere else on earth, are cultivated and safeguarded. Here, guests roll up their sleeves to repot native ʻōhiʻa and sandalwood seedlings, preparing them for reintroduction into their natural habitat.

Your journey continues downslope to Skyline Hawaiʻi’s Haleakalā location, where conservation meets action. Under the guidance of Skyline’s conservationists you’ll have the opportunity to plant your trees directly into their protected native forest. For over 20 years, Skyline has led one of Maui’s most impactful private-land reforestation initiatives, planting more than 20,000 native trees, removing invasive species, restoring watershed function, and helping bring wildlife back from the brink of local extinction.

With a deeper understanding of the land beneath your feet, the day culminates in a fun zipline journey soaring above the very native forest you helped restore—offering a rare perspective of regeneration in action.

This Immersion is not just about observation, it’s about relationship, responsibility, and reciprocity—leaving Haleakalā stronger because you were here.

Learn more about this important work from our local experts.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Go beyond the beaten path.

  • Duration: 7 hours – 10:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Welcome Protocol: Meet the Haleakalā Conservancy team before entering the space 
  • Summit Exploration: Head to the Summit to learn about the National Park’s history and its work, enjoy the spectacular views and native species found nowhere else in the world.
  • Hike Hosmer Grove: Take a walk through Hosmer Grove with bird biologists and learn about the bird song, the native bird population, and the restoration work happening. 
  • Picnic Lunch: Amongst the trees, enjoy a picnic lunch with the experts. 
  • Behind-the-Scenes Access: Access spaces at the National Park that is not available to tourists, from the baseyard to the native plant nursery.
  • Native Tree Potting: At the nursery, pot your own sandalwood and ohi’a trees to be replanted at Skyline’s native forest site.
  • Tree Planting at Skyline: With conservationists, replant your native trees in the reforestation site. 
  • Zipline over Native Forests: End your day with action, ziplining over the canopy of native forests you helped regenerate.
Hear from our guests.

WHY THIS MATTERS

When the forest is cared for, the water will return.

Haleakalā’s forests are an important source of the island’s water and biodiversity, and integral to building the island’s climate resilience. When native ecosystems are degraded, the impacts ripple across the entire island—from freshwater scarcity to wildfire risk and species loss. This Immersion directly supports the people and organizations restoring these critical watersheds and ecosystems, turning travel into an act of stewardship rather than extraction.
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Haleakalā is one of the most iconic National Parks, and contains some of the world’s  most endangered species. With the cut in federal funding to National Parks across the US, each park is having to devise a plan to retain their necessary staff while ensuring the visitor experience remains intact. Now, more than ever, Haleakalā National Park and the conservation efforts happening on the ground need our support.

COST:

  • $13,350 for a private tour of up to 10 people.
  • 50% of the costs go directly to Haleakalā Conservancy to support the conservation work at the National Park.
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What’s Included:

  • Private transportation with hotel pick-up & drop-off
  • Behind-the-scenes access to Haleakalā National Park 
  • Farm-to-table picnic lunch & snack
  • Conservation experts 
  • Replanting native plants 
  • Zipline experience 

About Haleakalā Conservancy & Skyline Hawaiʻi

Protecting the majestic mountain, Maui’s water resources and endemic species.

Haleakalā Conservancy, the philanthropic partner to Haleakalā National Park, dedicated to preserving and protecting this sacred landscape beyond what government funding can support. Focused on preservation, conservation, and education, the Conservancy funds critical programs that safeguard native ecosystems, endangered species, and cultural resources. Their work ensures that the unique beauty and biodiversity of Haleakalā remain resilient in the face of climate change and invasive threats. Skyline Hawaiʻi is a model example of tourism used as a force for good, with its long-standing stewardship of native forest restoration on the slopes of Haleakalā. Through its Skyline Conservation initiative, Skyline has planted over 20,000 native trees, removed invasive species that threaten water and wildlife, and committed to carbon neutrality and community stewardship. Their deep environmental ethos and decades of reforestation work help protect the watershed and create thriving habitats for endemic species. They were one of the founding supporters of the conservancy.

Curious to learn more before you book?

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