Resource | Kupu

Organization Description: Founded in 2007, Kupu is a Honolulu-based 501(c)(3) non-profit, that works to empower future generations of environmental stewards to create a more sustainable Hawai‘i and Pacific. Our hands-on programs and job opportunities educate and mentor the next generation to become stewards of Hawaii’s culture and the environment. It is our goal to place young adults on a pathway to success in both their personal and professional lives, by providing them with the training, mentorship, work experience and the skills needed to serve their communities and to preserve our precious natural resources. 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 & 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. To empower youth to serve their communities through character-building, service-learning, and environmental stewardship opportunities that encourage Pono (integrity) with Ke Ahua (God), Self, and Others.

Service Description: Kupu’s Hawaiʻi Youth Conservation Corps (HYCC) programs provide short-term opportunities for young adults to learn about conservation in a collaborative group setting. Participants will serve alongside one another on a team for 2-4 months. These programs are ideal for youth ages 16-24 who are eager to spend time outdoors participating in restoration efforts with a variety of organizations, and for those seeking academic support through mentorship in order to complete a secondary education degree, or have an interest in earning college credit & education awards.