Kohala Center Help Wanted Positions
Come work at Nāmoku through Kupu ‘Āina Corps
The Kohala Center (TKC) is offering a one-year, full-time, paid apprenticeship at Nāmoku, our demonstration farm in Honoka‘a. This rewarding opportunity is being offered through Kupu ‘Āina Corps and the successful candidate will be employed by Kupu and supervised by a team of TKC ‘āina practitioners. We are seeking a community member interested in (re)turning ancestral knowledge and research into daily practice by pursuing a career in farming, food production, soil fertility, and/or strengthening local food systems through both ancestral and contemporary approaches. Compensation is $20/hour plus benefits. For a position description, eligibility requirements, and instructions on how to apply, visit kohalacenter.org/kupu-namoku-2023.
Māla‘ai is hiring
Located in Waimea on Hawai‘i Island, Māla‘ai is hiring a program director for the Hawai‘i Island School Garden Network and a lead garden educator for the Culinary Garden of Waimea Middle School. Visit their website for more information on the positions and to download an application form, and send questions to hiring@malaai.org.
Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Co-op is hiring an agricultural processor in Kona
The agricultural processor position is responsible for carrying out Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Co-op’s Standard Operating Procedures, following co-op policies, and adhering to the instruction and guidance of processing supervisors and management in a food manufacturing environment. Please check out the HUC website for further information. Resumes can be sent to operations@eatbreadfruit.com. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
Hawaiʻi Land Trust is hiring a director of land acquisition
Hawaiʻi Land Trust (HILT) is looking for a director of land acquisitions to lead related projects over lands with natural, cultural, agricultural, or other value to Hawaiʻi and its communities. HILT protects the lands that sustain Hawaiʻi, and teaches future generations to do the same. The position will be involved in all parts of acquisitions, including working with communities and landowners, identifying and scoping opportunities, fundraising, negotiating, due diligence, and completing legal processes to close transactions. If the candidate is an attorney licensed in Hawaiʻi, the position may be expanded to also serve as in-house counsel. Further information on the position and how to apply can be found here.
Feed The Hunger Fund is hiring a lending officer
Feed The Hunger Fund (FTHF) is hiring a lending officer/business development officer that will be responsible for generating a strong pipeline of prospective borrowers while maintaining an active presence in the communities served by FTHF, and collecting required loan documentation, extracting relevant information, analyzing financial and business documents. FTHF is a nonprofit, certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that aims to drive systemic change across the food system by providing loan funding and business technical assistance to farmers and food entrepreneurs, primarily among immigrants, women, and communities of color. Visit their website for further information about the position. For more information, please email Kelly Teamey at kteamey@kohalacenter.org
Kōkua Kalihi Valley is hiring an administrative assistant for the Roots Program
Founded in 1972 by community leaders, Kōkua Kalihi Valley (KKV) pioneers holistic approaches to individual and community well-being in Kalihi Valley and beyond. KKV’s Roots Program works to improve the social, physical, and mental health of Kalihi residents through the preparing and sharing of food. Visit their website for more information on this and other available positions.
Kohala Food Hub is hiring an operations manager
Kohala Food Hub is a mission-based project focused on contributing to North Kohala’s food security by supporting local producers and residents through food aggregation, distribution, marketing, and an online marketplace. The operations manager position will support executive management and other team members in all facets of the operation. Visit their website for further information about the business.
»View/download the application
Kupu ʻĀina Corps
Kupu is offering an opportunity to gain real-world job experience within the green jobs sector of the economy in emerging industries (green jobs, agriculture, environmental technology, renewable energy, GIS/GPS, and sustainable infrastructure). Kupu is a non-profit organization that aims to empower emerging professionals in Hawaiʻi with meaningful, hands-on opportunities in the conservation field. Positions are available for ages 17+ for a full-time (40 hrs/week) or part-time (20 hrs/week), one-year term, July 2023–July 2024, on Hawaiʻi island, Kauaʻi, Maui, Molokai, and Oʻahu. Financial compensation is $16-$20/hour with benefits including medical insurance, paid time off, retention bonus, certifications, and networking opportunities. See Kupu ʻĀina Corps for further information.
»Apply here
Time is running out to complete the Census of Agriculture
This is the last chance to respond to the 2022 Census of Agriculture. The ag census shapes decisions that will impact agricultural operations, community, and the future of U.S. agriculture for the next several years. Not being represented in widely used ag census data means risking being underserved. Farmers who produced and sold $1,000 or more of agricultural products in 2022, or normally would have produced and sold that much, meet the USDA’s definition of a farm. Respond online at agcounts.usda.gov or return the form by mail today.
Office of Hawaiian Affairs introduces new Mahi ‘Ai Agricultural Loan Program
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund program is introducing a new program this month to support Native Hawaiian farmers on Hawai‘i Island and across Hawaiʻi. In addition to low interest rates, new borrowers have the option of deferring their loan payments for the first six months without incurring additional interest. For more information on the Mahi ‘Ai Agricultural Loan Program, email NHRLF@ohaloanfund.org, or call the OHA office in East Hawai‘i (Hilo) at (808) 933-3106 or West Hawai‘i (Kona) at (808) 327-9525.
