As students from Kamehameha Schools Maui’s Just Serve club arrived at the Boo Boo Zoo Animal Sanctuary Friday, they were met with the lively sounds of clucking chickens, grunting pigs, and playful goats. Armed with paintbrushes, shovels and a willingness to work, the volunteers spent the day helping care for the sanctuary’s many rescued animals, all while learning about the mission behind this hidden gem in Maui’s Upcountry.
The Boo Boo Zoo, officially known as the East Maui Animal Refuge, is not a zoo in the traditional sense—there are no structured exhibits or guided tours.
Instead, it serves as a lifelong sanctuary for injured, orphaned and special-needs animals, ranging from pigs and goats to chickens, cats and even the occasional deer.
The sanctuary was founded nearly 50 years ago by Sylvan Schwab, whose wife found healing in caring for a pigeon while undergoing cancer treatment. Today, it continues to operate almost entirely through volunteer support and community donations.
Alaula Kaopuiki-Santos, vice president of Just Serve, organized the visit after connecting with KSM operations staff “Veni” Villarimo, who has ties to the organization. The club, which is open to all students, seeks out meaningful service projects that help both the community and the environment.
“Opportunities like this are rare,” Kaopuiki-Santos said, but they’re “important for students to connect with the ʻāina and the animals that are part of our ecosystem.”
Once at the sanctuary, students rolled up their sleeves and got to work. They hosed down the driveway, clearing off hay and animal waste. Inside the barn, they removed scraps and unpacked fresh hay for the animals.
Others refreshed the sanctuary’s main building by painting its interior, while some helped prepare food by opening cans and distributing meals to the animals. Throughout the day, they had the chance to interact with the sanctuary’s diverse residents—feeding goats, mingling with pigs and observing the hundreds of free-roaming chickens that surround the property.
“The students were incredibly hardworking and made a huge difference,” said Andrea Werner-Gillum, the sanctuary’s operations manager. “We don’t have a paid staff—just a few live-in caretakers—so we rely on volunteers to keep this place running.”
The experience was eye-opening for many students, some of whom were unaware the Boo Boo Zoo even existed before the visit. Beyond earning community service hours—a graduation requirement at Kamehameha Schools Maui—the volunteers left with a deeper appreciation for Maui’s wildlife and the people dedicated to protecting it.
The sanctuary welcomes visitors daily from 8 a.m. to noon, inviting the public to see firsthand the impact of their work. Whether through one-time visits or regular volunteer shifts, every helping hand is appreciated.
The Just Serve club hopes to return in the future to continue supporting the sanctuary’s mission.
“Our volunteers are really what keeps this place going,” Werner-Gillum emphasized.
Kealii Mossman • Feb 19, 2025 at 9:17 am
Cool! I’m not an animal person, so I couldn’t do this myself, but I’m glad to see students were able to contribute to the community outside the walls of our campus. It’s a great thing to be selfless and to help others. Good job everyone (students and kumu advisors) 🙂