Maui's Skyline Hawaii ziplines itself to island conservation

MAUI, Hawaii (KGO) -- Located on the slopes of Maui's Mt. Haleakal sits Skyline Hawaii. What started as the first ziplining business in Hawaii has morphed into an important participant in Maui's ecosystem.

Skyline Hawaii is a leader in the efforts of building back Maui's unique environment.

Known as the 'tree guy' is Joe Imhoff, an employee that started working here when he was 23 years old. Joe fell in love with Maui and the company's culture of restoring it.

"You come here, you ride a zipline and you can plant trees and it's a really amazing way to connect with what makes Maui a really special place," Joe said.

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From the very beginning Danny Baron, Zkpline Hawaii's owner, wanted to give back to the island. He became a member of 1% for the Planet, a global network that connects businesses and environmental organizations together to help support our global environment.

"He became part of 1% for the planet and started donating 1% of all revenues to local conservation nonprofits," Joe explained.

Maui is home to some of the most unique native plants in the world and Skyline Hawaii is doing their best at preserving and restoring it.

"We have the most endemic plants on Earth, meaning they don't grow anywhere else on Earth ... and we're doing the best that we can to bring it back, to restore it. It's so important to restore a native habitat because that's the ecological identity of this place," Joe added.

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Maui has had a lot of hardships such as the wildfires, as well as COVID. Joe feels that the visitors who come here are eager to participate and give back and secure Maui's environmental future.

"... this place is really special and it's worth saving. Visitors come to the island of Maui and they really want to give back," Joe stated.

Through partnerships with organizations and businesses like The Fairmont Kea Lani, thousands of dollars have been raised to continue these efforts.

"Just staying at the Fairmont Kea Lani, a portion of the proceeds go to help restore forests like this behind me. We've been partnering together since 2018 skyline and the Fairmont through the rooted in Aloha program..." Joe emphasized.

To learn, visit here.