Between Maui's stunning sunrises and sunsets, I discovered something equally beautiful: the simple joy of giving back with Treecovery Hawaii.
I don't have a green thumb by any stretch of the imagination, but that didn't matter when I joined Treecovery's mission to grow 30,000 trees to replace those lost in the devastating wildfires. What started as a volunteer opportunity became something deeply meaningful.
Treecovery Hawaii was formed in November 2023 to address the catastrophic tree loss in Lahaina, including the historic Banyan tree that's slowly recovering from severe fire damage. The organization is growing native trees, shade trees and fruit-bearing varieties like mangoes that were beloved in Lahaina before the fire.
The concept is brilliant: Thousands of trees are being nurtured around Maui before being gifted to impacted families and businesses. As people rebuild after the fire, they'll receive mature trees for their landscaping—hope planted in soil, growing while communities heal.
Giving back with Treecovery on Maui with ALG Vacations' Pros in Paradise. (Photo Credit: Janeen Christoff)
I got my hands dirty at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa during ALG Vacations' Pros in Paradise event. We planted wiliwili trees and repotted smaller saplings into larger containers so they could flourish. Trees are grown in hubs across the island, and visitors can help plant seeds and transplant young trees as they grow.
The island-wide collaboration is remarkable. The Hyatt Regency Maui is hosting 200 trees, the Outrigger Kaanapali Beach Resort has 80, the Royal Lahaina Resort is nurturing 250 and Marriott's Maui Ocean Club is raising 125. Even branches of the famous Lahaina Banyan tree are being fostered at hotels—I spotted one section in a pot near the Marriott Maui Ocean Club's reception desk.
Lahaina Banyan tree at Marriott Ocean Club Maui (Photo Credit: Janeen Christoff)
The experience was great, fun and deeply rewarding. There's something profound about participating in renewal, about being part of a story that reaches far beyond your vacation. Every seed planted represents more than reforestation—it's about restoring the spirit of a community that refuses to give up.
As I watched the sunset that evening, soil still under my nails, I realized giving back had given me something in return: a deeper connection to this place and its resilient ohana.
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