CONNECTING: WITH YOURSELF, WITH OTHERS, WITH THE EARTH
Residential Learning Opportunities at La’akea Community
Through our non-profit organization, La’akea Permaculture Education Programs, we host conferences and events relating to permaculture, and provide long term residential study and work exchange positions.
For short term visits and tours, please see Visiting Us.
“It was a great experience for me all in all, and the new perspectives I gained are now a part of everyday life” – Heather Coad, Winter 2012
“I learned so much more than just about permaculture” – Marta, summer ’08
Part of the vision at La’akea is to provide opportunities for people to come to La’akea; to spread the experience of living in an intentional community, to educate about permaculture, and to teach personal development skills. In exchange, we receive the benefit of additional labor, outside perspective and new friends.
We are very open to WWOOFers, although we do not offer a complete work trade situation. We still need our work exchange people to cover their own expenses for food and utilities, because we do not have a cottage industry or grow enough food yet on our land. We do have a low work requirement, only 14 hours per week of farm work, so you have a lot of free time to enjoy the beauty of Hawaii.
We are open to volunteer work exchangers from overseas. Please contact us for information.
“Thank you for opening your home, your kitchen and your hearts to us the last few weeks. We are so thankful to have had the time and space to share in this piece of paradise. You have inspired us greatly! Thank you…” Paul and Brittney
We would like you to know about life in this part of Hawaii to help you decide if La’akea would be the right place for you.
Site: Temperatures range between 80′s during the day and 60′s at night. We receive over 100 inches of rain per year.
We are located in the sub-tropical rain forest. It is both a magical and wild place. We receive approx. 150 inches of rain/year, which makes it very green and lush, as well as moldy and mildewy. We are situated at 1200 ft. elevation, which means it is cooler in the morning and evenings (65 degrees or so in winter months) than at sea level. We live close to nature, and share the land with ants, mice, rats, mongeese, feral pigs, night-chirping coqui frogs,and yes, mosquitoes. (there are also butterflies, free range chickens, ducks, and 2 sweet cats).
We love this property–it’s fertility and abundance, the gentle light and mist, the arching double rainbows, and the warm sunny days that shine on us. We live “off the grid,” and rely on solar energy. There is electricity in our main house, but none in the accommodations.
Our intern program provides an integrated, supportive introduction to permaculture, community life and the tropics. We prefer initial visitors to come as interns, then stay on as work exchangers if this is mutually desirable. We will make exceptions for individuals with prior experience in community life and/or permaculture farming.
Click here for information on the Intern Program!
Click here for information on our Work Exchange Program.
Would you like to get our monthly newsletter about our events? Just fill out this simple form to be on our mailing list. We never trade our lists.
If you would like to support our educational permaculture programs with any size donation, we will be very grateful and use it well! We would love to expand our programs to reach many more people, and want to build more temporary housing for our guests and students. Simply log in to your paypal account, click on the “Send money” tab at the top, and enter our email info@permaculture-hawaii.com, and the amount. Thanks! (If you want to make a donation over $25 and have it be tax deductible, we can also provide that option also if you email us.)
What others have said:
See the Update on the Winter 2012 internship.
“Your community truly inspired me—the diversity, the acceptance and the celebration of life’s opportunities. Thank you so much for welcoming me as a work-exchanger—and as a friend.” - Carolyn April 2011
“It’s not just fruit and vegetables we’re cultivating here. It is so much more…. so amazing. Mandi, ’08
“During my stay at La’akea I gorged myself on the bountiful nectars of life. Pele was very kind to me and the punaverse took care of me. Thank you all. Puede vita!!!” – Matt Gubelmann, New Jersey, ’05
“This is a sacred space where we can witness the co-evolution of human beings.” – Mateo Tryllium, Hawaii, ’05
“I will begin by saying mahalo (thanks), can’t begin to explain everything I have learned and how I have grown.” – Laura Schmidt, ’05
“I truly believe I have been able to redirect my path to a more focused humanitarian based life mission with your guys help.” – Mitch, ’06
“I enjoyed putting work and energy into this land, and harvesting the fruits and food of other people’s labor. To plant seeds and trees that will grow into the future. Making friends that will remain in my heart and mind forever. Getting down to the earth, dirt, sweet and blood; this island is full of fun!” – Isa, ’06
