The Hawaii Nature Center

F.A.Q.

"A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions."

-Oliver Wendell Holmes

THE HAWAI’I NATURE CENTER

The mission of the Hawaii Nature Center is to foster awareness, appreciation and understanding of Hawaii’s environment and to encourage wise stewardship of the Hawaiian Islands by educating children with an interactive and immersive approach.

Established in 1981, the Hawaii Nature Center has been a leader in environmental education in Hawaii for more than thirty years. We deliver award-winning programs to nearly 20,000 elementary and middle school children from both public and private institutions each year, helping to encourage environmental stewardship through hands-on investigative field study and experiences. Our programs are primarily conducted outdoors in the field, exposing children to a range of ecosystems in watershed, coastal, marsh and forest environments. More than 850,000 children and adults have participated in our programs since our inception.

Located on the islands of Oahu and Maui, the Hawaii Nature Center features programs at various field sites throughout the islands. These include the Makiki Valley Watershed, Pu‘u ‘Ualaka‘a State Park, Honouliuli National Wildlife Refuge, and Pouhala Marsh on Oahu – and also ’Iao Valley and Kealia Pond on Maui.

Children, families, adults and visitors are welcome to exercise their interest in nature by participating in our weekend calendar activities, nature excursions, week-long school intersession programs and our community-based environmental restoration projects.

Our goal at the Hawaii Nature Center is to connect kids with nature – with the hope to inspire within them, as well as their parents, families and teachers, a deeper appreciation for the environment. By fostering a respect for nature, we are confident that children will grow into environmental stewards and impress upon future generations the importance of protecting our planet.

CONTACT THE HAWAI’I NATURE CENTER

If you have any questions, please e-mail the Nature Center at hncinfo@hawaiinaturecenter.org or use the e-mail form below.

Contact

BECOME A MEMBER

The Hawaii Nature Center encourages you to share the responsibility of our environment. When you join the Hawaii Nature Center you are investing in the future of Hawaii through education of children. Your membership helps fund programs for 15,000 students a year.

Each member receives a newsletter plus advance notices and discount offers on hikes, classes and nature adventures.

Membership Levels
Family Membership...$50 (includes 2 adults and immediate children 17 & under)
Contributing Member...$250
Sustaining Member...$500
Steward...$1000

Download A Membership Application Here

Membership and contributions are 100% tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. For more information on becoming a Hawaii Nature Center Member, please call (808) 955-0100.

LOCATIONS MAPS DIRECTIONS

On Oahu:
2131 Makiki Heights Dr
Honolulu, Hawaii 96822

Telephone: (808) 955-0100

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On Maui:
875 Iao Valley Road
Wailuku, Hawaii 96793

Telephone: (808) 244-6500

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GET INVOLVED

Beneath canopies of trees, in sunny marshes, beside rushing mountain streams, Hawaii’s children are discovering the wonders of our island home first-hand, hands-on in the great green out-of-doors. You can help encourage children to discover the natural world around them and share your own love of nature by being a volunteer.

F.A.Q.

On Oahu

Trails

Do I need to check-in to go hiking?

No. The trails are open from early morning until sunset.

Where do I get a trail map?

You can pick one up in our office, or go to www.hawaiitrails.org and go to O`ahu, Makiki Valley. Also, the State Forestry office has maps. They are located just past HNC on the left.

Where does the trail start?

The trail head is just past the parking lot. The Arboretum Trail, a short interpretive trail, leads up to the State Park area, just mauka (toward the mountains) of HNC. Just across the bridge, the main portion of the Makiki-Tantalus trail system begins.

Are the trails safe?

Yes. Trails are well-marked and maintained by Na Ala Hele, the State trail agency. Note the pig-hunting signs. You may occasionally run into hunters and their dogs. The dogs are required to be under control.

Parking

Where do I park?

All hikers should park in the parking lot to the left as you first enter the Makiki-Tantalus State Recreation Area. Parking in front of the Center is reserved for employees and participants of HNC programs.

Are the parking lots safe?

There has been some theft of cars in the parking lot. Please Do Not Leave Valuables in your car.

Is there anything to see or do in the Center?

On Oahu Interactive, interpretive displays are currently being developed. Many of you will remember our fun, hands-on displays in the old Center. Check back with us soon to see if our new displays are up and running. There will be exhibits for both kids and adults.

The Maui site has an Interactive Nature Museum that is temporarily closed. Please check back for information regarding reopening.

Trail Guides

Are there any interpretive trail or plant guides for the area?

HNC, Oahu has a trail guide for the Makiki Loop Trail, one for the Kalawahine Trail, and a plant guide for the Manoa Cliff Trail. There is a small fee for the guides.

HNC, Maui offers a self-guided hike brochure for visitors to use while walking the trails at the 'Iao Valley site.

Facility Rentals

Are there group facilities to rent or reserve?

Please see our Oahu Facility Rental section.

Please see our Maui Facility Rental section.

Individual Activities

Are their things for individuals or families to do on their own?

HNC, Oahu has a fun, cell phone-guided interpretive walk, from the parking lot to the State Park trail head. You can learn a lot about the natural and cultural history of the valley. Also, there are interpretive signs at the State Park area, and along the beginning of the Maunalaha Trail. Besides hiking, exploring the stream, bird-watching and picnicking are also enjoyable pursuits. Pick up a Calendar of Events and join the Nature Center for a scheduled program.

HNC, Mauiu offers the self-guided hike suited for children 5 and over.

Native Plants

Are there any native plants in the area?

There are some native plants at the Center. Also, there is an area of out-planted natives at the beginning of Kanealole Trail on Oahu. In the mountains, the Kalawahine and Manoa cliff trails offer the most native plants.

Funding

Does the Nature Center get its funding from the State?

No. We are a private, non-profit organization dependent on program fees and contributions from the public, corporations, foundations, etc. Occasionally we get seed money from the State. Please consider becoming a member!

Structures

What is the house across the street in Makiki Valley?
Does someone live there? What about the other houses?

On Oahu, the green house holds HNC’s administrative offices and an apartment for a State Forestry employee. The other homes along the road are private residences that are part of the Maunalaha Hawaiian Community.

What are all the other buildings in the valley?

On Oahu, we share the valley with several organizations. Just past us on the left are the State Department of Land and Natural Resources Forestry offices. Behind us on the right is the State Parks area with rest rooms, water, etc. At the beginning of the access road on the right is the campus of Halau Ku Mana, a Hawaiian charter school. The trailers farther up in the valley, before HNC, are also part of Halau Ku Mana. The Green Machine is behind the State Park area. It recycles HNC’s waste water.

On Maui, HNC sits on 32 acres that are nestled between the 'Iao Valley State park and the County Park.

STAFF & BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Board of Directors

2012 Officers

President - Jan Sullivan
Vice President - Bettina Mehnert
Treasurer - Lynn McCrory
Secretary - Michele Loudermilk

Directors

Kalei Cadinha-Pua'a
Jeff Case (Past President)
Ryan Churchill
Kris Kobayashi
Dee Dee Letts
Steve Rodgers
Julie Rogers
Pono Shim
Marc Tilker
Susan Yamada
Alan Yee

Staff

Administrative

Dyanna Okazaki, Executive Director

E-mail Dyanna Okazaki

Jamie Nakama, Education Program Manager

Jamie holds a bachelor’s degree in individualized studies from the University of Minnesota (1999), and a master’s degree in ecological anthropology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa (2006). Jamie has been an Environmental Educator at the Hawaii Nature Center since 2001. She became the Senior Educator in 2006 and took on the role of Program Manager in 2008. Jamie is extremely passionate about place-based, experiential education in Hawaii. She also teaches anthropology courses (with a Hawaii and sustainability focus) at the University of Hawaii, Kapi`olani Community College and Hawaii Tokai International College. She incorporates a place-based, hands-on teaching philosophy into everything she teaches from 2nd grade outdoor science classes to college level anthropology courses! Jamie’s personal mission in life is to help create a new generation of critical thinkers whose value system is based on interconnectedness, reciprocity, and respect for the environment and for each other.

Jamie currently sits on the Sustainability Committee at Kapi’olani Community College. In addition to her love for teaching and nature, Jamie also has over ten years experience in the fields of mental health and social work. She has worked extensively with various special needs populations, including children with autism, at-risk teenagers, and developmentally challenged adults. Her other passions include capoeira, dance, and performing. She dances with hula halau Ka La Onohi Mai O Ha`eha`e, IONA Contemporary Dance Theater, and Capoeira Besouro Hawaii. Jamie also performs and teaches aerial dance with Samadhi Hawaii, the only aerial dance company in Hawai’i.

E-mail Jamie Nakama

Pauline Kawamata, Volunteer Program Manager

Pauline holds an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts, a Bachelor of Arts in Hawaiian Studies, a Professional Diploma in Secondary Studies, Social Studies, and a Master's Degree in Education, Secondary Education, Social Studies.

Her past work experience includes serving on a teaching team for the Community Quest Program at Kailua High School, and assisting with curriculum development and coordination of Individual Quest, a career exploration and development course. She was a Staff Advisor for the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT)'s Energy Division, and assisted with their energy and environmental leadership training conference. She is a Faculty Advisor for the Sierra Club High School Hikers, and has interned with the Institute for Hawaii History Teachers and for Project BEST (Business Encouraging Superior Teaching). Pauline has also been an active member of the Executive Council for the Network of Volunteer Leaders (NOVL) since 1995 and is serving as NOVL President in 2004.

Jennie Peterson, Education Specialist

Jennie received a B.A. in Psychology with emphasis in Child Development from the University of Hawaii. For 15 years, she worked as an archaeologist employed by the Bishop Museum and Hawaii Marine Research, Inc. She has supervised archaeological field teams and has taught high school reading, English as a second language, and archaeology to disadvantaged youths. On her own time, Jennie participates in the Hawaiian Humane Society, the Makiki/Tantalus Community Association and occasionally leads interpretive hikes on weekends.

E-mail Jennie Peterson

Environmental Educators

Rachel Felling

Kathleen Freeman

John French

Michelle Harman

Yvonne Line

Jeremy Percich

Kapua Sanborn