Hawaii Short-Term Work

Believe it or not, traveling for long periods of time can be hard on the wallet. Many travelers try their hand at odd jobs for a few weeks at a time to help pay for another month or two of touring around. Short-term work in exchange for room and board can be found at organic farms, B&Bs, and hostels across Hawaii. A popular option is to work several hours a day at a hostel in exchange for free or discounted room and/or board. Most often, these short-term jobs are found by word of mouth or by expressing interest to the owner of a hostel or restaurant. Due to high turnover in the tourism industry, many places are eager for help, even if it is only temporary. This is especially prevalent in Hawaii as tourism is the largest industry—hunt around hotels and restaurants for odd jobs. Let’s Go: Hawaii lists temporary jobs of this nature whenever possible; look in the Practical Information sections of larger cities or see below.

Evie’s Natural Food, 79-7460 Mamalahoa Hwy. 11 (☎808-322-0739), in Mango Court south of Kainaliu on the Big Island. A bulletin board lists current short-term work possibilities provided by the nearby Kona coffee industry. There are often farm jobs available that trade room and board for labor.
Kalani Oceanside Retreat, RR2 Box 4500, Pahoa, HI 96778 (☎808-965-0468, volunteer coordinator ext. 117; www.kalani.com). This retreat center for wellness, culture, and nature offers several programs in which visitors can volunteer for 2 weeks to 3 months.Meals, room and board, and other benefits are included for a fee.
Willing Workers on Organic Farms (WWOOF), 4429 Carlson Rd., Nelson, BC, VIL 6X3, Canada (☎250-354-4417; www.wwoofhawaii.org). Matches visitors with host farms. Program applicants are required to fill out a short form and pay a small fee ($20). They then receive a booklet of all the available hosts in their desired destination; travelers are expected to contact farms and arrange a situation with the host. Most volunteers stay at the farms for 1-3 weeks. There are WWOOF farms on 5 of Hawaii’s islands: the Big Island, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu.

The following hostels offer the possibility of trading room and board for part-time work around the establishment in maintenance and housekeeping.

Backpackers, 59-788 Kamehameha Hwy., Waimea, HI 96731 (☎808-638-7838; http://backpackers-hawaii.com). Short-term work in exchange for room and board.
Banana Bungalow, 310 N. Market St., Wailuku, HI 96793 (☎800-846-7835; www.mauihostel.com). Call about the availability of short-term work.
Hostelling International Honolulu, 2323A Seaview Ave., Honolulu, HI 96822 (☎808-946-0591; www.hiayh.org). Contact Mrs. Akau Naki.
Kalani Oceanside Retreat, RR2 Box 4500, Pahoa, HI 96778 (☎808-965-7828; www.kalani.com) offers a 1 or 3 mo. volunteer program which provides a unique short-term work alternative working on a plantation.
Koa-wood, 75-184 Ala Ona Ona St., Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 (☎808-326-7018; www.alternative-hawaii.com/affordable/kona.htm). Occasionally needs inn help.
Pineapple Park Hostel, 7927 Pikake St., Pahoa, HI 96778 (☎877-800-3800; www.pineapple-park.com). Ask about trading a bed for a few hr. of housekeeping per week.
Waikiki Beachside Hostel, 2556 Lemon Rd., Ste. B101, Honolulu, HI 96815 (☎808-923-9566; www.hokondo.com). Offers short-term work in exchange for accommodations depending on availability and duration of stay. Longer stays preferred.
YMCA Camp Erdman, 69-385 Farrington Hwy., Waialua, HI 96791 (☎808-637-4615; www.camperdman.net). After completing a lengthy application process, travelers can work short-term in exchange for room and board.

Further Reading On Beyond Tourism
Alternatives to the Peace Corps: A Guide of Global Volunteer Opportunities, edited by Paul Backhurst. Food First, 2005 (US$12).
The Back Door Guide to Short-Term Job Adventures: Internships, Summer Jobs, Seasonal Work, Volunteer Vacations, and Transitions Abroad, by Michael Landes. Ten Speed Press, 2005 (US$22).
Green Volunteers: The World Guide to Voluntary Work in Nature Conservation, by Fabio Ausenda. Universe, 2007 (US$15).
How to Get a Job in Europe, by Cheryl Matherly and Robert Sanborn. Planning Communications, 2003 (US$23).
International Job Finder: Where the Jobs Are Worldwide, by Daniel Lauber and Kraig Rice. Planning Communications, 2002 (US$20).
Live and Work Abroad: A Guide for Modern Nomads, by Huw Francis and Michelyne Callan. Vacation Work Publications, 2001 (US$20).
Volunteer Vacations: Short-Term Adventures That Will Benefit You and Others, by Doug Cutchins, Anne Geissinger, and Bill McMillon. Chicago Review Press, 2006 (US$18).
Work Abroad: The Complete Guide to Finding a Job Overseas, edited by Clayton A. Hubbs. Transitions Abroad, 2002 (US$16).
Work Your Way Around the World, by Susan Griffith. Vacation Work Publications, 2007 (US$22).