It was my senior year in high school. Being a shy and timid person, I had few friends, wasn't popular, wasn't in any group, didn't play sports or attend any school functions, not even the prom. However, I did do something while I was in high school. I joined the school's hiking club when I was a junior and tried it out. We went hiking and camping and met other students from their school's hiking/science/environmental club through the High School Hikers Program (HSH). My senior year, I stayed in it.
At the HSH Ecology Camp in February, I was approached with an invitation to join 7 students and 5 adults to go on a service trip to Maui. Spend 4 days working at a nature center and then spend 3 days backpacking Haleakala. At that moment, my answer was simply "no". There was no way I was going to another island and spend a week with people I didn't know. Remember, I was a very shy person. But with strong encouragement from my club advisor, Ms. Rogan, and the trip leader, Mr. Keane, I hesitantly said "...okay".
I met the crew at a pre-trip meeting during which last minute details were being ironed out. We also did a practice backpacking hike to get an idea of the weight we'll be carrying and for any adjustments to our pack if needed.
It was March 21st, the first day of the Spring Break Service Trip, sponsored jointly by the Hawaii Service Trip Program (HSTP) and HSH Program of the Sierra Club, Hawaii Chapter. We met up at the airport at daybreak, nervous and excited, checked in our gear and coolers/boxes of food, and waited anxiously to board the plane. This was my first trip away from home, camping on Oahu didn't count.
When we reached Maui, we got our rental cars, loaded up and drove to our home away from home - Iao Valley's Hawaii Nature Center. The center provided us on-site cabins with kitchen. I shared a room with 3 female students - Stephanie, Ahina and Suzie. The guys - Corey, Ryan, Jackson and Mark, shared a room. After settling in, we explored our new surroundings, including checking out the Iao Needle.
From March 22nd to the 25th, we worked at the nature center by helping to maintain and repair the nature trails. We pulled, cut down or dug up coffee tree seedlings/stumps and such weeds from the trail. Special projects included installing a waterbar and a small rock bridge so that elementary kids won't get their feet/shoes wet. Our last day of work was spent cleaning the interpretive classroom by wiping off the dust, cleaning the windows and organizing the space.
Our backpacking experience began at 6am the next morning. We loaded the remainder of our framed backpacks and then waited in line for them to get weighted. If they were more than 35lbs, then you had to lessen it. From what I remember, mine was about 34lbs. After that, we loaded the cars and headed up Haleakala. By the time we reached the summit, it was about 9am. We quickly toured the visitor center and then started on the trail - Sliding Sands Trail. The air was chilly but as you made your way down, the sun got further up in the sky and you were soon shedding your jacket. The dry land sent up small dust clouds with each step.
As we hiked further in the crater, the flora increased. Pass Kapalaoa cabin, the scenery was green with clouds rolling in. On our way to Paliku cabin located at the eastern end of the crater, we hiked in thick clouds that made it appear to be evening. A rainbow appeared overhead as we spotted the cabin and rain started to fall. The night was spent playing cards while our trip leaders kept an eye on the wood stove and boiled water for us from the water catchment tank.
The next day, I awoke slightly sore but eager to continue. The rain continued to fall as we departed the cabin and made our way to Holua cabin in the northwestern part of the crater. The rain ceased, sky cleared and the sun dried us off as we continued our hike on the pahoehoe and aa lava flows. It was about 3pm when we arrived at Holua cabin. With the sun still up, we grabbed our flashlights and gloves and made our way to the lava tube and hiked in. It was dark, damp, and chilly. At one point in the tube, there was a ladder installed due to a 15 feet drop. We continued on and made our way out at a skylight opening some 100 feet from where we entered. On our way back to the cabin, we spotted a few nene (hawaiian goose) in a patch of grass.
Back at the cabin, we prepared dinner and played more card games. As night fell, we gathered outside and looked in awe at the starry sky. The moon was no where in sight. Never had I seen so many stars, constellations, shooting stars and satellites moving across the sky. As the time passed and still mesmerized by the night sky, a few of them decided to sleep under the stars. Tempted to join them but with the temperature dipping to the 40's, it was just too cold for me to bear, even with my sleeping bag, so I retreated back to the cabin.
The next morning, we casually packed up and spent the morning conserving our energy for the 4 mile trek up steep switchbacks, gaining 2500 feet in elevation. It was a beautiful day and the sun shone brightly upon us as we played cards at the picnic tables next to the cabin. We then had lunch and prepared for our journey out. Just after noon, we started on the Halemauu trail, over the lava flows, through the grass field, then up the steep cliff carved with switchbacks and pass the native shrubland 'til we spotted the parking lot. Everyone made it safely out and with still daylight left for our group picture.
As we got into the car and descended down the 10,000ft volcano, I knew that someday, I would return. Maybe in a year, maybe in 5 years, or maybe more further down the line. I didn't know when, and it didn't matter.
After 3 days of hiking without showering, it was long overdue for me. At the nature center, we got cleaned up and helped with kitchen duties. That night, we saw the same stars but without the intensity as in the crater, having been secluded from the city lights.
And then it came to an end. A day more than a week of service, learning, trust, friendship, camaraderie, fun, adventure and most importantly for me - growing. Had I not taken this ride of a lifetime, I don't know where I would be.
And so it was, on March 29th, we arrived back in Honolulu with memories that I would cherish for a lifetime and 8 rolls of film to develop and to serve as visual reminders of a time I started a new chapter in my life.
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