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"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 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: La'akea is a 23+ acre property at 1300 foot elevation, on the lush east side of the Big Island of Hawaii. We are located 4 miles from the town of Pahoa and about 6 miles from the ocean, where there is a beautiful black sand beach. Other attractions in the area include: Volcano National Park with active lava flows to the ocean, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa mountains (over 13,000 feet), natural steam vents, warm ponds, tide pools for snorkeling, Pohoiki beach for surfing, other permaculture sites and intentional communities. 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). Still, 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. What others have said: "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 "Some events not to forget: the chickens (especially #66, Ruby for snuggle time); Coqui eye spy, catch and then let go...not the most favorable ending; learning how to harvest jackfruit (oil baby, it's all about the oil); THE FOOD!; the booty bumpin' kitchen cleaning hustle; marimba playing; kava ceremony; Biko at the coco bar; 20 days of lifetime memories." - Shell, '06
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