With her affinity for nature and biology, working as a guide at Hike Maui is the perfect calling for Shelby. “My favorite part about the job is climbing trees to pick fruits,” she says, noting that she sources cacao and guava (when they’re in season) to give her guests a taste.
Shelby is also an avid animal lover. She initially moved from Colorado to Maui for a conservation internship with the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute, focusing on turtle rescues. “I did a lot of ‘stranding’ responses where you get calls about turtles tangled in ocean debris, and you try to locate and release them.” Shelby is especially fond of dogs, and currently has two of her own: a 9-year-old black lab/Jack Russell terrier mix who accompanied her to Maui, as well as a 3-year-old pitbull-bulldog mix she adopted after she moved here.
When she’s not working or volunteering at the Pacific Primate Sanctuary, Shelby enjoys hiking with her dogs, and doing anything that gets her into the water, including scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and surfing. “There’s so much magic to be found here.”
Guest quote: Shelby was the best kind of guide we could ask for! She brought three groups of strangers together to bond during our fact-filled hike with private trails, pools, and waterfalls. She’s energetic, cheerful, professional, and helpful.
