My Nonprofit Reviews

Only the purest of heart carry out what Helena (and her on-site volunteers) does 24/7 at Magical Creatures of Hamakua Sanctuary for rescue animals.

Every animal has a name, enough space to roam, gets medical care when needed, is fed daily and, most of all, receives love and attention.

During Sunday morning feedings (our weekly volunteer shift), Helena and on-site staff are often up & out before we arrive between 6:50-7am. Aside from healthy and at-risk animals, the Sanctuary cares for “Special Needs” animals; some can’t walk unaided due to injury, others require bandaging or special accommodations, and one requires night-time as well as round-the-clock attention and/or awareness.

Normally, our feeding shift is uneventful. Maybe we’ll encounter a leaking water hose or an overturned water container (courtesy of the pigs) needing attention.

Well, one day, as a feeding volunteer opened the goat pasture gate, a few goats escaped with more eyeing the “possibility.” Lan, an on-site volunteer, called out and Helena, Alyssa and Scott quickly appeared out of nowhere and lovingly guided them back in, operating in synch like a well-oiled machine!

Another time, Vincent, whose hind legs are paralyzed, got stuck backing out of a tight, tall grassy area, ending up on his back. He screamed out. In literally seconds, in response to his call out, Helena runs out of the house, a good hundred-plus yards away, along with Lan. In short order Vincent is back to grazing as if nothing happened.

It’s the on-site staff’s calmness, awareness, their positive energy, the camaraderie, the confidence, the appreciation of all life, and the “ahhhh” one feels walking on the property that make this animal sanctuary stand out.

All animal areas are clean, the property is amazingly well-maintained, pastures are suited for the animals housed, and Helena has skillfully set-out/organized everything volunteers need to know for their shifts.

A bonus is how the on-site, young volunteers have all been so refreshing to interact with and watch in action.

I have land and animals and have no idea how Helena makes it all work. A few small local businesses with excess (animal edible) vegetable scraps, make scraps available at times, yet those are gone in one feeding. It’s the generous donations that make all the rest possible.

Magical Creatures of Hamakua Sanctuary’s magic is not just for the animals in need. It’s also for those fortunate to visit or cross its path, for our hearts need extra grounding sometimes, and who better to offer us that opportunity than animals living in harmony, in a safe environment. Thank you, Helena.

Kyra