Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary Joins the Mālama Hawaiʻi Program

Just a short drive from the historic town of Lānaʻi City is the popular Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary. Among the newest members of the Mālama Hawaiʻi program in Maui Nui, and the only Mālama Hawaiʻi partner on the island of Lānaʻi, the Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary is loved by cat lovers from all over the world. They are now welcoming visitors to not only enjoy the cats but also to volunteer. 

This refuge provides more than just a home for cats in need. They also protect native birds. The Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary rescues cats from protected areas, home to native and endangered ground-nesting birds such as the ʻUaʻu, the Hawaiian Petrel. Cats are also rescued from Lānaʻi City. As a result, the Sanctuary has brought in more than 1,800 cats since 2014. More than 1,000 have been adopted. Funding for this nonprofit comes from vacationers who visit the sanctuary and give to support their mission. Visitors seeking to volunteer are welcome to help for a few hours or full days with a customized experience. Internships are also available to Oʻahu university students to get hands-on experience in nonprofit management by providing support services in social media, website development, fundraising, communications and operations. 

The Maui Visitors Bureau produced a 3:00 minute TV spot with HI Now to promote the Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary and their volunteer opportunity.  This effort was done with the support of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, the Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary and the Lānaʻi Advisory Group to increase awareness about this regenerative tourism opportunity.