HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow). Many hands are needed to protect and restore Hawaii’s unique environment.
People in this line work often come from other parts of Hawaii. One group is working to change this.
They want to build an environmental army from Hawaii and for Hawaii.
KupuThe nonprofit is on a mission of empowering youth and protecting the land. The organization offers many programs that can be used individually or in a team. They provide hands-on experience for youth in conservation and sustainability by partnering them with environmental groups throughout the state.
Kupus CEO John Leeong stated that Kupus’s focus is to inspire youth to become interested in green jobs. He also said that Kupus will help them get started in the field, provide them with service opportunities, and give them the desire to give back.
There was a stigma that local kids weren’t interested in conservation because they were not able to find people who are from Hawaii. But we discovered that these jobs can be made available to young people.
HNN interviewed Leong and other central members to discuss the many possibilities this organization offers in the third episode.
Kupu’s interactive programs include the Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps Summer Program. The program is available to anyone 16 years old and older. They will be placed in various aina-based organisations, where they can get outdoors and learn about the importance of hardwork.
Members learn through five days of work each week, including planting kalo at the loi patches, dredging old fish ponds and hiking to clear trails for native plant growth.
Kupu was established in 2007 and has provided opportunities for over 4,000 youth. With their support, more than 1 million native plants were planted and approximately 100,000 acres of invasive species were removed. This is equivalent to 75,000 football pitches.
Kupu offers a unique diploma program for students who have not been able to succeed in traditional classrooms.
The program is open to anyone between 16 and 24, but most participants are between 17 and 19.
Mahinalani Cavaleri from Kupus, one of Kupus teachers, said that many people in our community face challenges such as housing, homeless, and toxic relationships. These can all hinder their success. We provide them with stability, consistency, structure, and the opportunity to learn, grow, thrive.
Youth can learn about agriculture at Kupus farm and culinary skills from highly-trained chefs. They do all this while working towards a certificate of high-school equivalency.
Kupu’s opportunities not only have a huge impact on the land, but they also inspire Hawaii’s youth.
Cavaleri stated that personally, I have witnessed the students’ growth. The most difficult moments out on the field, with the sun beating down, are what they remember the most.
Although the work can be hard, many who have been involved in this process know that there is always more to do. And that the best way to care for the land is with us.
Kupu taught me that it is important to keep moving forward and to continue integrating ourselves into the community. It will take a lot more people before we can make a difference, stated Malia Aiello who was a participant in the HYCC Summer program.
Who knows when all the goals, especially in Hawaii’s environment, will be achieved, but programs like Kupu will ensure that they are always possible.
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