Jungle Queen Program

Archive Page: Hedonisia Hawaii EcoFeminist Community

RIP: August 2004 - May 4, 2018. (Evacuation date) 

The 2018 Kilauea volcanic eruption destroyed our community in Hawaii.
This page will remain part of the Pre-Volcano Hedonisia Virtual Memorial.

We continue to work on the Hedonisia EcoFeminist Web Portfolio.

With our approach to community living based on ecotourism and ecofeminism, we attracted amazing people from around the world.

Hedonisia Post-Volcano Volunteer, Intern & Guest Programs

We are still waiting for the county to restore road access. If that happens, the Hedonisia Post-Volcano Property will be available March 2023. In the interim, we offer scaled down programs at the following locations:

  1. Hedonisia Guava Land. Until we can return to our post-volcano land, we are building a sustainable tiny home using locally sourced wood. This will be a temporary base for Hedonisia until we can return to our volcano home.
  2. Kamaili Forest Farm. We are working with the owners of this property to provide lodgings and volunteer opportunities under many of the pre-volcano Hedonisia community guidelines.

Hedonisia is an eco-feminist community. Over the years we noticed that, despite our focus on female empowerment and equality, many women who arrive here are often a little afraid of nature.

Urban females can sometimes freak out if they see a spider or other 'creepy crawlies'. They will shudder if they hear a strange sound and treat the jungle like it's a horror movie.

We are not being gender-specific. However, we describe a real issue; the fact that many urban dwellers of any gender, are challenged by living harmoniously in nature.

We help you rediscover your inner Jane or Tarzan to be a 'Jungle Queen' or 'King of the Jungle' rather than a complaining 'Prissy Prince(ss)'. It is more empowering feeling for women rather than feeling dependent on a man to protect them from nature.

We try our best to accommodate the sensitivities of all of our visitors. However, it only takes one complaining prince(ss) to bring down the energy of everyone in the community.

It's totally fine to come to Hedonisia as a Prissy Princess. We have accepted many urban female applicants who have delicate sensibilities when it comes to living in a jungle. However, they all want to be Jungle Queens! Even the most urban 'prissy princess' female can adapt to rainforest living if they arrive with an open mind.

Life begins outside of your comfort zone! You're a lot less fragile than you think! We hope to inspire you to be a Jungle Queen.

As part of their Heart work, many women have created inspirational murals on the property depicting strong warrior jungle queens.

Hedonisia Community Jungle Queen Alumni

Here is a small fraction of women who for the most part, have never lived in a jungle but who adapted well to their rain forest home at Hedonisia up to when the volcano hit our property. There will be no more photos until we can return.

We only list 3 Jungle Queens per year. For returning visitors, please don't be offended if you are not listed!

2018
The year our community was taken by the volcano.

intern in Hawaii
Kim started as an Intern when the volcano hit.

Hawaii Jungle Queen Volunteer!
Olivia Jungle Queen Volunteer

Volunteer Carpenter & Builder in Hawaii
Volunteer Carpenter & Builder - Beaulah

2017

Female Jungle Intern
Francesca: Eco-Feminism

Female Eco-Builders
Karrie: Building Work

Jungle Queen Interns
Kesi on Heart Work

2016

Fire Ant Control in Puna
German Alexandra on Fire Ant Patrol!

Intern in Hawaii
Intern Katelyn

Eco-Feminist Community
Emma from England - Eco-Feminist Focus

2015

Hawaii Heart, Body, Brain Focus Intern!

Heather: Eco-Feminist

Anchor Intern in Hawaii

Kate - Anchor Intern

2014

Canadian Volunteer in Hawaii
Ashlynn: Volunteer

Jungle Intern in Hawaii
Sierra: Jungle Queen

Manager in Hawaii
Susan: Jungle Garden

2013

Senior Volunteers in Hawaii
Elka Volunteer 2013

Austrian Intern in Hawaii
Vanilla Intern 2013

Fiona with BB Gun. Empowered Intern!
Fiona Intern 2013/4

2012

German Voluntourist in Hawaii
German Tourist Denise

Hawaii Winter Intern
Colleen - Intern

Hawaii Volunteer EcoTourism
EcoTourist Alice

2011

Female Interns in Hawaii
Christina Interning with Barbara the Chicken

Hawaii Bookings and Reservations Director
Former Bookings Director Linda

English EcoTourist in Hawaii
Nadia - UK Monthly Guest

 2010

Jasmine 2010 Artist Volunteer
Jasmine Art Volunteer

Canadian Artist Volunteer
Canadian Artist

Willi - Hawaii Manager
Willi - Hedo Manager

2009

British Volunteer in Hawaii
Leanda - UK Volunteer

Michaella UK Volunteer
Michaella UK Volunteer

Shae Yoga Volunteer
Shae - Yoga Volunteer

2008

Volunteers from England in Hawaii
Michaella Volunteer

Intentional Community Manager in Hawaii
Lisa Manager

Hawai'i Eco-Community Volunteer
Christian Volunteer

2007

Chishimba Hawaii Community Manager
Chishimba Manager

Swedish Volunteer in Hawaii
Nastasjia Volunteer

Rachel Ecstatic Dance Volunteer
Rachel Volunteer

2006

New Yorker in Hawaii
Allison Volunteer

Karene in Hawaii
Karene BFF

From Mexico to Hawaii
Rosa Manager

2005

Volunteer Tattoo in Hawaii
Christine Volunteer

Angel in Hawaii
Angel Volunteer

Hawaii Jungle Queen
Emily Volunteer

2004

Althea Houk in Hawaii 2004
Althea Baby Queen

Mojo in Hawaii 2004
Mojo Original Princess!

Ex-wife in Hawaii
Leah Wisconsin

 

With tongue firmly in cheek, we have created a list of the main differences. We absolutely welcome you as a Prissy Princess. We hope that you will leave a Jungle Queen!

Prissy Prince(ss)

Empowered Jungle Queen or King

• Does not appreciate the work we are doing. Only complains that we are not like a 'normal' hotel. 

• Comes to a rain forest and then complains about the rain!

• Complains to anyone and everyone to make 'allies' for their 'cause' creating negativity for the entire community.

• Did not read the website thoroughly to understand the program, community, surroundings, transport, etc.

• Instead blames us for not being the fantasy community that they created in their head.

• Wants to sanitize, bleach, and kill all the germs and mold in the jungle.

• Sees an insect or hears a jungle sound and 'freaks out'!.

• Wants everything to be exact and predictable.

Ψ Sees the 'big picture' and appreciates that it took a lot of work to get this community to the place it is at.

Ψ Finds it challenging and rewarding to 'work in the land' and is okay with a little dirt and mud.

Ψ Knows that a woman can be strong and still feminine

Ψ Feels empowered in nature when she does not feel that she needs a man to 'scare away the spiders'.

Ψ Willing to work on solutions rather than just being a complainer.

Ψ Proud of the scratches that come from living in the rainforest.

Ψ Understands that living in a rain forest in a lava zone requires flexibility and adaptability and ENJOYS a little unpredictability.

Ψ Wants to learn and grow physically, emotionally and intellectually. Appreciates the rain forest as a great place to do so!