Before Joshua was a work trader, he first visited Rainbow Bridge, Hawaii, a few years ago. At the time he didn’t know the experience would stay with him so deeply. He had been invited by his friend Michael, a permanent resident at Rainbow Bridge, Hawaii, and came to stay for two weeks. During that time, Joshua got a glimpse of daily life on the land, the rhythm of the community, and the kind of connection that makes Rainbow Bridge Hawaii feel different from anywhere else. That first visit planted a seed that eventually inspired him to return as a Hawaii work trader.
For Joshua, being a work trader is both grounding and meaningful. The days can be full, and the work can be physical, but he says the effort is more than worth it.
“I feel grateful every day to be of service to this land and this community,” Joshua shared.
Each day begins with a morning meeting, where the community gathers before receiving their tasks for the day. From there, work traders step into the projects and responsibilities that help support the land and the people who call it home. For Joshua, that spirit of contribution is at the heart of the experience.
“Being of service is the most rewarding work you can do,” he said.
But the work is only one part of what makes Rainbow Bridge Hawaii so special to him. What stands out most is the way the community lives and cares for one another.
“The community itself is the most beautiful thing because everyone here works and lives as a family,” Joshua said. “The amount of love and acceptance and the desire for everyone to be their true, authentic selves really shows through in the way that the community holds itself.”
That sense of acceptance has offered Joshua a space for reflection and inner clarity. He describes the experience as “a subtle clarifying of the self that is allowed because of the pure intentions of the community.”
Life at Rainbow Bridge Hawaii also comes with a close connection to nature. One of Joshua’s favorite parts of being on the land is seeing the variety of animals that live there. He appreciates that they are able to simply be themselves, saying that “they get to exist in peace as animals are meant to do.”
And when he has free time, Joshua loves to explore the waterfalls on the land. One of his favorite things to do is jump into the waterfalls, especially the larger one that takes a bit more of a hike to reach. For him, those moments are part of the beauty and abundance of Rainbow Bridge Hawaii: the land, the water, the people, and the feeling of being connected to something bigger.
When asked what he would tell someone considering a visit or work trade experience, Joshua’s answer is clear.
“If you find yourself with the opportunity to come and experience Rainbow Bridge, I would highly recommend it and guarantee that it will be an experience that you’ll look back on for the rest of your life,” he said. “The connections you make here will be of profound importance, because those are the types of people that come to Rainbow Bridge.”
Joshua’s experience at Rainbow Bridge Hawaii has been so meaningful that he even wrote a haiku about it:
Abundance at hand
Gold’s weight in loving family
Rainbow Bridge means home
For Joshua, Rainbow Bridge Hawaii is more than a place to work or stay. It is a place of service, growth, connection, and home.
Follow along with more Work Trader Stories on Instagram and see Joshua’s Rainbow Bridge Hawaii feature.