The Maui News

KAHULUI–Kupu, Hawai’i’s leading conservation and youth education organization, today announced that applications are now open for the 2024-2025 Kupu ‘Āina Corps (KAC) program, which is actively seeking host sites and participants for paid opportunities in sustainability-focused sectors like renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and climate adaptation on Hawai’i island, Kaua’i, Maui, Molokai, O’ahu.

KAC participants gain up to a year of paid experience in a sustainability-focused profession, while KAC host sites get the chance to train and grow future leaders for their organization. For participants, Fall Cohort 1 will start on October 7, 2024; Cohort 2 will start on November 4, 2024; and Cohort 3 will start on December 2, 2024.

KAC host sites can include nonprofit organizations, for-profit businesses, and State and County government agencies. This is an ideal program for organizations that are trying to grow and are eager to train emerging professionals. KAC positions are structured as a cost share; therefore, host sites pay only a small fraction of the true cost of adding to their workforce and growing their industry this way.

“KAC gave me the chance to work at the organization of my dreams,” Philip Kitamura, KAC Participant at DLNR DOFAW Snail Extinction Prevention Program (2021-2024). “I was able to work with such a wonderful team and had some extremely cool experiences. My host site showed me how important and interconnected everything is in the ecosystem. What we do not know, we cannot save.”

To date, KAC has provided paid training to 560 participants, generating millions in economic benefits for Hawai’i. Graduates of the KAC program have gone on to jobs like GIS specialist, food systems manager, and conservation positions in forestry, trail management, and native/endangered species protection.

Host Site Priority Application Deadline: August 2, 2024

Host Site Application form: https://kupuhawaii.tfaforms.net/320

Participant Priority Application Deadline: August 16, 2024

Participant Application form: https://kupuhawaii.tfaforms.net/321