Kupu
Kupu’s programs aim to provide life-changing opportunities that promote personal and professional growth for young adults and emerging professionals throughout the state.
Kupu partners with various conservation and sustainability focused organizations throughout the state and Pacific in order to provide these opportunities. Such partners range from large federal and state entities such as the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Department for Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), to smaller non-profits such as Mālama Loko Ea and Hui o Koʻolaupoko.
It is our hope that participants in Kupu’s program will gain valuable experiences and skills that will assist them in their personal and professional pursuits, while gaining a further appreciation for Hawaii’s amazing natural and cultural resources.
Many alumni of Kupu’s programs go on to pursue higher education or careers in the green job sector, and in some cases even obtain jobs at the partner site in which they served.
Purpose of Activity
Kupu’s mission is: To empower youth to serve their communities through character-building, service-learning, and environmental stewardship opportunities that encourage integrity (pono) with Ke Akua (God), self and others.
Kupu in Hawaiian means, “to sprout, grow, germinate, or increase.” Like the kupukupu fern, Kupu’s heart is to bring life back to the land, ocean, and communities we serve.
Activities
Each year, Kupu offers hundreds of service opportunities that create positive environmental, cultural and community impact across Hawaii and the Pacific region.
Kupu offers summer and year long positions. All participants serve alongside experts, receiving valuable mentorship, and hands-on experience. These programs are ideal for youth ages 16-24 who are eager to spend time outdoors and seek educational support — through a high school education equivalency certificate, or earning college credit and education awards.
For the most current program openings please see the following link:
History
- 2001
- Pono Pacific, LLC restarts the Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps through a contract with the Department for Land and Natural Resources (DLNR)
- 2006
- Additional programs such as the Conservation Leadership Development Program year round (formerly Year Round Program and Extended Internship Program) and Summer (formerly Frontiers and Hana Hou Program) launched
- 2007
- Kupu is established as a non-profit organization in Hawaii to run and expand Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps (HYCC) programs
- 2009
- Kupu earns federal recognition as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
- 2011
- Kupu expands program offerings with Sustainability Initiatives fellowships and HYCC Community programs for under-resourced youth
- 2013
- Kupu launches Environmental Education Leadership Program in partnership with the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) schools
- 2017
- Kupu celebrates its 10th year anniversary, engaging more than 3,250 youth and young adults in environmental service-learning, internships and professional fellowships over the past decade
- 2018
- Kupu opens the newly renovated Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Hoʻokupu Center at Kewalo Basin for program and public use
- 2020
- Kupu establishes the Kupu ʻĀina Corps program; temporarily employing over 350 people who were negatively impacted or displaced from employment due to the global COVID-19 Pandemic.
- 2022
- Kupu assists in signing HB 1176 Green Job Youth Corps into law, and launches the Kupu Food Truck through Kupu's Culinary Program.
