About this Event
This is a family-friendly event for kids 8+ years old and their adult guardians. If kids are in attendance, please expect an experience more suited to their attention spans and interests.
"Healing Trees" is offered as a gift to the people of Maui after last year’s tragic wildfires. This monthly series of mindful walks is inspired by the practice of Shinrin-yoku (translated as “forest bathing”) that began as a public health initiative in Japan. Today, forest bathing is a growing global wellness movement backed by more than 40 years of scientific research on the physical and mental health benefits of immersing yourself in nature.
On your 2-hour forest bathing walk, you'll be guided on a sensory-opening stroll from the sand dunes of Keōpūolani Park through the native plants of Maui Nui Botanical Garden. As we move under the shade on mostly level ground, your certified forest therapy guide will offer a series of fun “invitations” to help you find your own present connection with the natural world. A highly interactive and respectful experience, you'll have opportunities to play with and calmly observe the nature beings and elements, as well as share with other human beings in the small group, all at a safe physical distance outdoors.
Please bring a small towel or mat to sit/lie on, a rain jacket or waterproof poncho (if it promises to be a rainy day), plus a backpack to carry everything in (you'll want to keep your hands free so you can touch the grass, leaves, tree trunks). We also recommend wearing walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
And for more walks throughout 2024 showcasing some of Maui's most beautiful green spaces and healing trees, go to bit.ly/healingtreesmaui.
The Healing Trees series is participating in research conducted by the University of California, San Diego's Department of Psychiatry on the effects of forest bathing as an effective therapy for climate trauma. All participants are encouraged to respond to the pre- and post-walk surveys and cognitive tests. You will receive an email directly from UCSD's . For completing both the pre- and post-walk surveys and tests, you will receive a $20 Amazon giftcard.
You will also be asked to share an email of a family member who is NOT going on the forest bathing walk and they will be contacted to answer the same surveys and tests. (They are the "control" subjects). They will also be able to receive a $20 Amazon gift card on completion.
Healing Trees: A Series of Free Forest Bathing Walks for Maui is presented by and . With this series, we are also hoping to encourage a handful of Maui residents to embark on the 6-month online training to become certified forest therapy guides. Their long-term, active service on the island will assist in the ongoing healing from the trauma of the wildfires.
MAHALO NUI LOA to , , , and all our location partners for their generous support.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, 150 Kanaloa Avenue, Kahului, United States
USD 0.00
