My Account
Charlie and co-worker Matt on Kure atoll. A curious Laysan albatross. Volunteers remove washed up debris, including fishing nets. Charlie painted this watercolour of a juvenile Laysan albatross.
It’s been a whirlwind of interviews and a big adjustment for Red Beach teenager Charlie Thomas, who returned last month from nine months of clean up work on a little Hawaiian atoll.
Not only did the teen emerge from a remote and Covid-19-free tropical island to a world of mask wearing, quarantine and nose swabs, but even electricity, Wifi and driving felt weird.
Although the adjustment was fairly rapid, and Charlie is enjoying sharing photos and stories online, social media was not missed.
“I realised how little I need all that,” Charlie says. “If the world lost Wifi right now, I would be totally fine – in fact, stoked.”
For nine months, Charlie’s companions on the atoll were three other volunteers, seabirds (mainly albatross), rare endangered species including Hawaiian monk seals and the Laysan teal duck, and cane spiders the size of a human hand.
The environment was a white coral beach, turquoise crystal clear lagoon and no trees, and it was “unbelievably hot” with 100 percent humidity.
Living was simple – home was a cabin with no power.
“I lived my life out of four five-gallon buckets and I was the happiest I’ve ever been,” Charlie says. “I now know that I can pack up a bag with some clothes and a few possessions and be totally happy with that. As long as you’re doing what you love and you’re having a positive impact, that’s all you need.”
There is no doubt that the team’s nine months on Kure had a positive impact. Their work included habitat restoration, removing invasive species, clearing up rubbish and monitoring wildlife.
Although it’s lovely to be home and see family, friends and, “most of all, the dogs,” it’s a lifestyle that Charlie can’t wait to return to, and it wasn’t long before the next opportunity came along. On December 5 Charlie went to Great Mercury Island off the eastern Coromandel coast, to work with other volunteers on eradicating Argentine ants.
No doubt Charlie’s family is pleased that the work on Great Mercury ends just in time for Christmas at home.
The 18-year-old is happy in the meantime to continue doing volunteer work while looking for a paid conservation job.
Charlie especially wishes to thank the local Rotarians and Lions who helped make the trip to Kure possible (HM February 5).
