ORANIZATION

The Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is a non-profit organization with members worldwide who have experienced the wonder and power of the Park's living volcanoes. In Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, friends and visitors can walk on new lava fields, hike thorough ancient rainforests, see plants and animals found nowhere else on earth, and learn to respect and celebrate the culture and traditions of Hawai'i's indigenous people.

The Friends follows in the footsteps of Hui O Pele, an organization that originated in the Park in the early 1900s with an impressive membership of 33,000 supporters from throughout the world. Originally incorporated in 1997 as Na Hoaloha 'Ainahou ("The Friends of 'Ainahou"), the organization changed its name and expanded its focus to become Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park in 2002.

A 501(c)(3), not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization, the Friends operates under a cooperating agreement with the Park. Our purpose is to provide support and assistance to the interpretive, resource management, visitor services, and research activities of the Park and to provide interpretive and educational services to the visiting public.

The Friends continues to grow our long-standing relationship and collaboration with the Park by supporting and encouraging resource protection, offering volunteer support and stewardship, enhancing visitor educational and interpretive experiences, and communicating the purpose and values of the Park through fundraising and other support activities.

Executive Committee

Irenio 'Ab' Valencia, President
Nick Shema, Vice President
Diana Kelley, Treasurer
Marilyn Nicholson, Secretary

Board Members

Melanie Baca
Carol Bebb
Nancy Chaney
Mark Johnson
Patty Kupchak
Marta Lepes
Paul Morgan
Natalie Pfeifer
Ann C. Peterson
Rosemary Schatzlein