Learn more about HWF intern Alex Xia’s experience on Maui during the late summer of 2023, which unfortunately encompassed the devastating wildfires in Lahaina. Not only did Alex help make our sea turtle recovery project a success, he also helped support our Maui community during the very difficult aftermath of the fires. We are so appreciative of the time he spent with us. Here’s Alex:
Aloha! The three weeks I spent with the Hawai’i Wildlife Fund created some of the most memorable moments of my life. I connected with nature more deeply than I thought possible, gaining experiences and an ‘ohana that’ll always stay with me.
Through my internship, I learned how deep of a role we play in nature’s survival—and it in ours. I spent lots of time with turtles through the honu watch project, night patrol, and nest patrol. And every day, I discovered more about their stories and how treasured their existence is to our planet.
Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund intern, Alex Xia (far left), with HWF staff. PC: HWF
On Friday, August 4th, something special happened that I’ll never forget. It was my second night camping at the beach, and the sky was beautiful. As I fell asleep, the stars silently twinkled above us and the waves rustled along the sand.
I was woken by a hushed whisper, calling me to get up and crawl around to the side. When I joined the others, I heard her. It was mama, who earlier crawled right past my sleeping bag and went into the prickly bushes to lay her nest. And we got to crawl through the sand and see her! That first glimpse, shorter than a shooting star, was surreal. To see the miracle of life happening is unforgettable, and I’m so grateful to have witnessed it in real time. And when she finished, we removed the satellite tracker from her back and released her back into the sea. That work showed me what conservationists and naturalists constantly do, and it was a genuine inspiration. That night was one of many we would spend camping by the ocean, and they were adventures—where nature’s secrets would reveal themselves and we would be invited inside of them.
My internship showed me how precious every turtle is, in a world where only one in several thousand survive to adulthood due to unending threats from predators and humans alike. It means that when one is in need, we must help save it. That’s what I got to experience one morning at the Maui Ocean Center working with the biologists. I really enjoyed the opportunity to go behind-the-scenes and learn how turtles are taken care of. From measuring the pH of the water to cleaning tiny corals and scrubbing the turtle tanks, I learned about the work it takes to protect our oceans and how each of us can get involved. We even got to meet several turtles in the process of healing—one was bitten by a shark, one was entangled in a fishing net, and one was recovering from a case of fibropapillomatosis (a tumor-causing disease that affects some sea turtles).
That same day, the wildfires happened. They destroyed historic parts of Maui that I was fortunate enough to visit just days before. Our close encounter with the blaze showed me, first hand, how no one could escape the effects of climate change and a warming planet.
Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund intern, Alex Xia, and other HWF staff helped create the miles long ti leaf lei to help honor the victims of the Lahaina wildfires. PC: HWF
But in the midst of the tragedy, something beautiful happened: a sense of unbreakable resilience and determination to help those who lost everything. And with that, we got to work—helping to pack donations, organize clothing and other essentials to send directly to Lahaina. And I couldn’t help but think about how in the past, my family would be the ones donating clothes and essentials to a cause, but never thinking about what happens after. This time, we were at the heart of the mission. We were the ones helping collect the donations, speaking with victims, and seeing the actual scope of the crisis. And that made everything so much more real.
Between the days, one central project that kept me anchored was honu watch. Many afternoons, we would go to Ho’okipa Beach to patrol the turtles that were basking. I was amazed by the number of them! Whether there were 10, 50, or 100, we were kept busy counting them, monitoring their behavior, and educating tourists about the importance of keeping a safe distance. Not every moment was perfect—there were mistakes I made and difficult conversations with others. But ultimately, every turtle on that beach deserves a safe space, and it matters to be courageous and speak up even when you hesitate to. Even when it’s easier not to. And that’s what I hope I was able to do.
Another incredible moment I experienced was the excavation of the turtle nest. I never knew this could be done before, and to me, it symbolized the importance of conservation and the role humans play in giving these creatures another chance at life. It was wild to see hatchlings crawl right out of the sand and make their way to the water without a second thought! I marveled at their tiny tracks, their life-filled energy, as they embraced the salty waves that would whisk them away into the great unknown. It makes me realize how every moment is impermanent. Life comes and goes, and we soak in its gifts while we can.
Throughout my internship, I had so much time to explore Maui and even Oahu. I got to see so much— from volcanic beaches to fire dances and drum circles and upcountry markets. I climbed mountains and tried surfing and visited a harbor of battle. And my time was made complete with a visit to Kāʻanapali, where the Hawai’i Wildlife Discovery Center was located. I walked in expecting educational displays and came out with a renewed passion about our blue planet and its life-giving elements. The center was both interactive and had academic connections. And before I leave, I just want you to know that that space made me stop and reflect. From the brilliant short film to the “is this yours” plastic display, I was reminded of why I embarked on this adventure and how much I can still do to help. I’m honestly so grateful to have experienced it and I know it’ll inspire countless future ocean guardians.
I think it was all these experiences together that made my internship so extraordinary. The connections I made—be it with turtles, humans, or the shine of the sun—opened my eyes to the vast world out there, filled with the treasures of intimate experiences. I am lucky to have discovered the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, and forever grateful for being able to spend my summer with you. Mahalo a million times.
May you forever keep doing all you do for our earth.
Aloha,
Alex Xia
