Decide what type of work-trade you're interested in and how many weeks you want to devote to working. Work-trade positions on Maui typically revolve around gardening, landscaping and permaculture, but not exclusively. Farmers want workers who will be available from at least a month to a full season to help harvest and usually request 15 to 25 hours of work per week.
Find employers who offer the type of work-trade you're interested in. On sites like WWOOF USA (World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms), land owners advertise what type of work they are looking for -- opportunities range from beekeeping to working with animals -- and what they offer in return. Wwoofers can rate or leave reviews about their experiences with farms on each ad or discuss their experiences in the WWOOF forum.
Network with others who have done work-trade in the past. Maui is a word-of-mouth community, so the more connections you make, the better. Tribe.net is a great place to reach out and ask questions if you're looking to make an arrangement before landing on the island. Get as much information as possible about potential opportunities. Ask other work-traders what their experiences have been like, especially if you find a place that you are interested in working for.
Use that telephone. Make sure you connect directly with the farm manager before you arrive if you can't meet in person.
