Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
mix. Accommodations range from an oceanfront cabin with mostly windows to a mosquito-
proof tree house overlooking a waterfall.
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
When the name WWOOF was innocently coined in 1971, it wasn't imagined that
the word “work” would cause such serious problems for immigration authorities,
who in some countries view WWOOF as a clandestine migrant worker organiza-
tion. The WW part of the name was changed from Working Weekends to Willing
Workers (when it grew past weekends) to the now accepted, World-Wide Opportun-
ities. The phrase “to WWOOF” has become an accepted part of the vernacular in
Europe and North America.
To become a WWOOfer, simply fill out the application on the WWOOF Hawaii website
and send $20 to the listed address. Upon receipt, organizers will send you a booklet with con-
tact information for all the farms. Once you've got the list, sift through it and decide whether
you want to pick nuts, keep bees, harvest medicinal herbs, grow flowers, or make soap and
essential oils. In return for several hours work a day, you'll get accommodations (some hosts
also offer meals), as much fruit as you can eat, and the chance to experience Hawaii far off
the beaten track.
You're in charge of setting up the details. Most host farms welcome volunteers for a
week or longer. Some require a minimum of two weeks. No farming experience necessary,
but it does help to have a willingness to learn and to laugh.
HOW TO GET IN TOUCH
WWOOF Hawaii,
4429 Carlson Road, Nelson, BC V1L 6X3, Canada, 250-354-4417,
www.wwoofhawaii.org.
