kupuhawaii.org

BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR HAWAI ‘ I ’S YOUTH

M I SS I O N

To empower youth to serve their communities through character-building, service-learning, and environmental stewardship opportunities that encourage pono (integrity) with ke Akua (God), self and others.

Kupu was founded in 2007, as a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded on the principle

of empowering future generations to create a more sustainable Hawai‘i.

Our hands-on training programs educate and mentor the next generation to

become stewards of our culture and the environment. Our programs place

young adults on a pathway to success in both their personal and professional

lives, providing them with the training, experience and skills needed to serve

their communities and preserve our precious natural resources.

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Conservation-minded young adults enter Kupu’s programs from a wide range of educational backgrounds. For participants aged 16 to 30 who are considering or actively pursuing a career in conservation, Kupu’s programs can provide a meaningful way to gain experience over summer breaks, during gap years, or after studying. In addition to students and recent graduates, Kupu works with underrepresented young adults—opportunity youth who may be disconnected from or unaware of prospects in the environmental field. Through positive engagement and connection to a strong and supportive community, Kupu promotes educational opportunities, constructive skill building, and vocational development for everyone.

By building upon the long-established ‘Corps Model,’ our team leverages extensive local partnerships to empower the next generation of leaders with the character, passion, knowledge, skill sets, and cultural sensitivity needed to guide Hawai‘i towards a more sustainable future. In addition to individual growth, Kupu’s programs benefit Hawai‘i’s local communities, environment, and economy by connecting energetic and resourceful participants with a wide network of impactful, yet often under-resourced projects.

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P R O G R A M S

INDIVIDUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Conservation Leadership Development Program Provides intensive entry-level opportunities for emerging professionals interested in conservation careers. Participants 17 years or older are placed within an organization for a summer or up to a year, during which they gain hands-on experience as conservation leaders. Participants build skills and increase their exposure to a professional network, furthering their career path. Positions are available on Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui, Moloka‘i, Hawai‘i Island, American Samoa and Pihemanu Kauihelani (Midway Atoll).

Environmental Education Leadership Development ProgramConnects education-minded leaders with teachers and students to provide supplemental environmental education in public schools. Program participants 21 years or older are trained to lead the Kökua Camp, a hands-on conservation program for students that runs during school breaks. The camp serves youth aged between 12–17 and provides project-based learning at cultural and conservation sites throughout O‘ahu.

Americorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA)Provides full-time volunteers to nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and governmental agencies. The program works to expand the capacity of communities to become self-sufficient and resilient in the face of the local challenges induced by global climate change.

LEARN

SERVE

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P R O G R A M S ( con t i nued )

TEAM-BASED OPPORTUNITIES

Hawai‘i Youth Conservation Corps Community Program Provides under-served young adults or opportunity youth with green jobs training, skill-building and encouragement to meaningfully impact their lives and communities through service. Kupu staff members and Community Youth Team Leaders provide mentorship to participants, aged 16–24. The program includes engagement in culturally significant activities across the island, including out-planting native species, farming in the lo‘i kalo (taro fields) and restoring loko i‘a (traditional fishponds). Participants receive a Certificate of High School Equivalency upon completing the program.

Hawai‘i Youth Conservation Corps Summer Program Delivers exposure of a diverse spectrum of conservation careers through hands-on outdoor field experiences. Program participants are assigned to a specific island and spend the summer supporting local environmental organizations. For those interested in further developing management skills, consider serving as a team leader. In addition to being a team member, team leaders coordinate service days with sites, set the daily agenda and provide mentorship and guidance to their members.

Hawai‘i Youth Sustainability ChallengeEmpowers Hawai‘i youth to create solutions for conservation and sustainability challenges in their schools and communities. Supported in partnership between Kupu and Kökua Hawai‘i Foundation, students in public, private, and charter schools from grades 6–12 can apply to receive funding, mentorship, and training from an expert in conservation, sustain-ability, and/or technology to support their innovative and grassroots environmental initiatives.

Kupu Culinary ProgramDelivers introductory culinary training, including hands-on cooking and food preparation skills to young adults, aged 16–24. Kupu Culinary utilizes the newly constructed commercial kitchen at the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Ho‘okupu Center to build job experience and service-learning opportunities, including knowledge of sustainable resources and the cultural significance of food preparation in Hawai‘i.

HAWAI‘ I ’S GREEN WORKFORCE

86% of alumni agreed or strongly agreed they were inspired to pursue a career in an environ-mental field

52% of alumni indicated they were continuing their edu-cation upon program completion

Approximately Half of Conservation Leader Interns were hired at their site upon program completion

RESTORE

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Kupu aims to grow a green workforce across the Pacific to become a global voice of change. Our organization has been involved with and leads/supports programs in the following locations:

O U R V I S I O N

HAWAI'I (ALL ISLANDS)

PALMYRA ATOLL

MIDWAY ATOLL NEVADA

SAIPAN

GUAM

RAPA NUI

CALIFORNIA

SAMOA

RESTORE

Over 1 Million Native Plants Planted

Kupu has contributed more than $113 million in economic benefit through community service, education awards, and job training opportunities to Hawai‘i since 2007.

87% of alumni surveyed are working in or towards a career in the environmental field* *within one year after they completed their position with Kupu

IMPACT

Over 100,000 acres worth of invasive species removed (equivalent to over 75,000 football fields)

Over 3.5 Million hours served by youth and volunteers

Over $5.5 million in education awards distributed

More than 4,000 youth served since 2001

74 alternative high school diplomas provided since 2015

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T H E H A R R Y & J E A N E T T E W E I N B E R G H O ‘O K U P U C E N T E R

Located in Kewalo Basin Park, the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg

Ho‘okupu Center supports Kupu’s community programs, offer-

ing job skills training in the conservation and culinary fields for

Hawai‘i’s youth. The Ho‘okupu Center is available to the public

as an event venue with a commercial kitchen, training rooms,

classrooms, meeting spaces, and equipment rental. Catering is

available through the Kupu Culinary Program.

CO N N E C T W I T H U S

1125 Ala Moana Blvd. F

Honolulu, HI 96813

For additional information or to book an event,

email hc@kupuhawaii.org.

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“When we partner with Kupu to provide top-notch catering for our company gatherings, we’re also directly supporting their Culinary Program. The center serves as a hands-on training lab for program participants; this is why I highly recommend choosing the Ho‘okupu Center for corporate events. It’s definitely an honor for us to work alongside Kupu, and we’re looking forward to seeing the center and Kupu’s programs continue to uplift and inspire people in Hawai‘i and beyond.”

BETH WHITEHEAD American Savings Bank Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer

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“There is a crucial need for Kupu—it is vital for anyone who is interested in giving back to the community and to the islands. Kupu taught me how to become a leader, have compassion towards the environment, and respect the cultural heritage of the land. The skills I learned are directly applicable to my position today. It opened doors for me professionally and exposed me to opportunities for future employment.”

NICK VARGASAlumni, Conservation Leadership Development Program

“I love that no two days are alike! Some highlights include teaching students lo‘i maintenance, planning a career fair at Kalāheo, accompanying Waipahu students on a camping trip to learn about conservation, attending con-ferences, and shadowing experienced teachers within the Hawai‘i State Department of Education who work hard every day to improve outcomes for Hawai‘i kids.”

KISA MATLIN Participant, Environmental Education Leadership Development Program

“Through the leadership development program, I help by hosting school and community groups in addition to planting kalo with the afterschool participants. After the program, I’d like to continue to mālama ‘āina (care for the land) for life, in whatever capacity that may be.”

KODIE SOLIS-KALANI Participant, Conservation Leadership Development Program

GET INVOLVED AND MAKE YOUR IMPACT!Donate, volunteer, sponsor or apply for one of Kupu’s programs today.

Email info@kupuhawaii.org or call 808-735-1221.

677 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 1200, Honolulu, HI 96813

phone 808-735-1221email info@kupuhawaii.orgweb kupuhawaii.org

kupuhawaii

kupuhawaii

KupuHI

Kupu, which means “to sprout” or “to grow”

in Hawaiian, has a two-fold mission: to

preserve the land while empowering the next

generation of environmental and cultural

stewards. Kupu’s work has been likened to

the role of the Kupukupu fern which is one

of the first plants to cultivate the land after

a lava flow. The fern not only serves as a

foundational species for rebuilding a healthy,

native ecosystem, but it is also symbolic of

a place where knowledge can grow. Kupu

program participants have the opportunity to

gain vital work experience, develop skills and

further expand their professional networks.