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KMK OVERVIEW:
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NATURALIST TOPICS:
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VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES AND RESOURCES
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Use this section to learn more about this program, and to find resources you'll need as a volunteer.
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What is my role and responsibility as a Kanaka Malama Kai volunteer marine naturalist? |
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Your role and responsibility as a Kanaka Malama Kai volunteer is to interact with people in order to enhance their experience, by providing them with information that they will appreciate because of the way you present it to them. As a “roving marine naturalist,” you will have the flexibility to go where you want, for however long you want, whenever you want, and interact with people in an informal manner. You are not there to point out what people are doing wrong, but rather help prevent people from doing these negative things by talking with them BEFORE they have a chance to be destructive. In most cases, people don't even realize that what they do and how they do it can have negative impacts…that's where you come in. You are there to gently educate our visitors, give them information that they can use to make better judgments, and hopefully they will alter their behavior to be more sustainable towards the reef and its inhabitants.
The term “naturalist” can sometimes seem intimidating. However, you are by no means expected to be an expert on everything out there! Part of being a naturalist is a natural curiosity, and the desire to continue learning. So, it is important that you learn what resources are out there and take advantage of them. That is exactly the reason this website was created: as a resource for you that will provide additional resources to explore.
Before you begin volunteering you will need to sign and turn in the liability release, which can be downloaded below. There is also a media release attached that you can sign, giving your consent to appear in photos on this website or in other materials. (Hopefully no one is in the witness protection program!) If you're under 18 you'll need to have a parent or guardian sign along with you.
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How should I conduct myself as a volunteer? |
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What you actually do as a volunteer depends on your own comfort level. See the “Volunteer Spotlight” page to learn how others have adopted and adapted the roving marine naturalist method.
You are NOT there to serve as “reef police,” or act confrontational with people in any way.
There are a few other “DOs and DON'Ts” that need to be addressed here:
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Don't....
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DO...
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| Make judgments or reprimand people |
Engage people in a positive manner: Rather than lecture, or reprimand them…be nice and friendly! Remember, we are not “reef police!” Focus on being preemptive and proactive..we're not there to catch them in the act..we're there to interact with them BEFORE they have a chance to act destructively (remember, they usually don't REALIZE they're being destructive!) |
| Speak in a manner that causes a person to become defensive: if you are friendly and open-minded this won't be an issue. |
| Touch anyone |
| Tell someone to do or not to do something: let THEM process the information you provide, and then decide for themselves what to do. Most people would prefer to think something is their idea, and do it of their own free will. |
Provide information and let people decide for themselves how to behave: people will respond more positively if they are not being TOLD what to do or what not to do, let them decide what to do based on the information and guidelines you provide. |
| Contradict authority figures: This refers mainly to boat captains and crews. |
Shift initial focus to safety & welfare concerns: for example, instead of telling them to get off the coral, or that they SHOULDN'T stand on the coral, explain how coral is sharp and they can cut themselves…THEN explain why this ALSO damages the coral. Same strategy for fish-feeding….stress how fish can bite and THEN tell them about the ecological consequences of fish feeding. |
| Recommend specific businesses |
| Swim: If you want to enter the water or interact with people in the water, you can do so as an individual and not as a representative/volunteer from Project S.E.A.-Link. |
Stay friendly and open-minded; respect others: Remember that everyone has a different background, perspective, and level of experience. |
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What is the uniform I should wear? |
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A few components of a uniform is all you need to look “official,” and therefore make you approachable to people at snorkel sites. To look “official” you should at least wear a name badge. We also have bright yellow t-shirts that say “volunteer naturalist” on the front. You will receive the name badge and tshirt upon completion of training. Of course you can always make your own name badge, and you can wear your own shirt (but please, don't wear anything that might offend anyone!). Khaki or neutral-colored shorts are a good fit for the “naturalist” look as well. And, the absolute must-have for any naturalist is the hat. It's all about The Hat! Click here for the officially sanctioned Kanaka Malama Kai hat of choice, from REI. |
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What should I have in my “naturalist kit”?
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Upon completion of the training course, you will receive a starter set of 8x11” photos. You will also receive a CD with additional photos and resources, so you can choose more images to print on your own. These images are scanned from books and are to be used for educational purposes only. You can use plastic sheet protectors to display your photos in a 3-ring binder…seal the top with packing tape and you have a waterproof set-up! There are also other materials you can put in your binder…the Sustainable Diving & Snorkeling Practices, and any educational brochures and pamphlets you come across. You can download the Sustainable Diving and Snorkeling Practices below. The Sanctuary, DLNR, and Pacific Whale Foundation produce publications and pamphlets that are very informative. Also, you can bring books with you, or have educational models on hand, or use natural artifacts such as coral rubble that has washed up on shore. There are many different things you can use to make up your own “naturalist kit.”
There is also a page of Enforcement Contacts (download below) that you should keep in your naturalist kit; check out the “Rules and Regulations” section to learn how to recognize violations and make a report to the Department of Conservation and Resource Enforcement (DOCARE). You can download the Violation Report Form below, too. Understanding and abiding by the rules and regulations that govern Hawaii's marine resources is necessary for any ocean user, particularly naturalists.
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What are the communication requirements? |
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Please stay in communication and report your experiences. This is necessary in order to evaluate the program as well as a requirement for volunteering aboard the boats. To make it as easy as possible, a report form was created to use as a guideline. You can download it below. The key things to note are: location, date and time you volunteered; for how long; and approximately how many people you interacted with. You can email a periodic summary of your activities, or if you prefer, you can call to make a report. In addition, we will try to have quarterly volunteers' meetings, which will present another opportunity to communicate and share your experiences with others.
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How do I get to volunteer onboard a boat? |
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There are two requirements for volunteering aboard the boats. First, you'll need to answer and turn in the Assessment Questions. You can download them below. Next, you'll need to volunteer several times at shore-based sites, and report on your experiences before going aboard the boats. Completing the assessment questions will demonstrate your content knowledge, and volunteering as a roving marine naturalist will give you a degree of experience you'll need before going on the boats. |
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What are the guidelines for volunteering aboard a boat? |
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Volunteering on a boat is very different from volunteering at shore-based sites. You are there to provide a service, and the way in which you approach your role will depend on the wishes of the Management as well as the Captain and Crew.
Please be familiar with the following guidelines before going out on a boat as a volunteer.
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• Arrive slightly earlier than the check-in time so you can introduce yourself to the Captain and Crew; show them the “Note to Crew” (download it below) if they are unfamiliar with the program
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• Wear your Kanaka Malama Kai t-shirt and name badge.
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• Please do not wear inappropriate (i.e. skimpy and revealing!) swimwear.
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• Make sure you make it clear to the Captain and Crew that you are there to help them as a volunteer naturalist, and will play a low-key role onboard the charter. Ask them if they have any instructions or guidelines for you. You can ask them if they would consider introducing you at the beginning of the charter so people know they can come up to you and ask questions.
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• If there is already a naturalist or a crewmember who serves as one onboard, ask them directly how you can help them…they may have a routine, and may have you focus on a particular time during the day when they are occupied with crew tasks, or they may send you to one area of the boat to interact with people. You should also be sensitive to their role; we don't want anyone to think we're there to “take over their job!”
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• Remember that the Captain and Crew are the final authority…what they say, goes!
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• Be sure the stay out of the crew's way when they are handling lines, mooring or docking. It is not your job to help with any of the crew's tasks involving the boat.
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• Do not contradict the Captain and Crew when speaking with the passengers. If you notice a crewmember providing incorrect information or promoting irresponsible behavior regarding the reef (i.e. fish feeding), please do not create a scene in front of the passengers. Instead, please let Liz know about it and we can address the situation in a tactful manner. Use your judgment; you may be able to speak with the Captain and/or crew when the charter is over.
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• Do not help yourself to the food and snacks until all the paying customers have had a chance to eat; it would be a good idea to check with the crew first as a courtesy to them and the passengers.
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• Under no circumstances should you consume alcohol while you are volunteering, even if it is offered to you. That goes without saying for those under 21!
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• Abide by the Sustainable Diving and Snorkeling guidelines yourself, and promote them to others.
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• Remember you are there to work as a volunteer, so conduct yourself in a professional manner. You are not there for a free boat trip, you are there to provide a service to the passengers, and help to reduce negative impacts to the reef and its inhabitants.
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• Please submit a volunteer report after working on a boat, and note the name of the company/boat, Captain and crewmembers.
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How do I learn more? |
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An intent of this program and website is to provide you with a starting point, and the basic techniques and information needed to begin volunteering. You will find that people constantly ask you questions you don't know the answer to that will inspire you to find more resources, study new topics, and generally enhance your own knowledge in a continual, ongoing manner. Read as many books and papers as you can, visit websites, share experiences with and learn from other volunteers, and talk story with local kupuna.
You can visit the Kanaka Malama Kai section of the Community Forum, and check out the Local Resources and Opportunities section of the Hawaii Reef Report. There are many opportunities here on Maui to learn more about topics that are interesting to you. For instance, the Sea Talks at the Maui Ocean Center, the Sanctuary's Lecture Series, and other organizations' naturalist training courses. There is also the Marine Option Program through Maui Community College that includes marine science classes, and there are Naturalist Certification courses offered through VITEC. But most importantly, get out there and volunteer, as experience will be your best method of increasing your knowledge base and improving your technique.
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When will the next training session be offered? How long is it, and what is involved? |
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Send a message to join the Project S.E.A.-Link email list in order to receive notices about upcoming KMK training. Kanaka Malama Kai training usually consists of a series of 5-6 evening workshops with guest speakers. You will learn about the most important topics for a volunteer marine naturalist, such as coral reefs, reef fishes, Hawaii's protected species, rules & regulations, and interpretation basics. |
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