The Kohala Center: Employment/Opportunities/Events

Employment

Hāmākua Ag Co-op seeking a CPA
Hāmākua Ag Co-op is seeking a certified public accountant to work on income tax preparation and yearly audits. Send a resume and references to hamakuaagcoop@gmail.com or call (808) 775-1107 to apply.

Join The Kohala Center’s Team
TKC is hiring three positions: a temporary nonprofit accountant, a grants administrator, and a kohala mālama ʻāina specialist. Visit our career center for more information and to apply.

Open positions at Kupu
Kupu is hiring several positions, including Environmental Education Leaders to serve K-12 schools across Hawaiʻi, providing hands-on, ʻāina-based learning experiences. Early professionals (ages 17+) can apply for the Conservation Leadership Development Program, which provides paid, entry-level positions in conservation.

Opportunities

Participate in crop cost production survey for a stipend
UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR) is looking for farms to participate in their research on the costs of agricultural production in Hawaiʻi. Participation will involve a 1.5-hour in-person survey at your farm. In return, each farm will receive a $200 stipend. Sign up here.

Take GoFarm’s survey for an e-gift certificate
GoFarm, in collaboration with the Islands and Remote Areas Regional Food Business Center, is gathering input to better understand how producers search for information, what resources they need, and where gaps or challenges exist. Complete the 5-10 minute survey to receive a $20 e-gift certificate.

Events

Food Safety Summit
Friday, July 18 • 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
UH-Hilo Campus Center Sodexo Dining Room, 200 West Kāwili St, Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island (map)
The Food Safety Summit, hosted by CTAHR Farm Food Safety Program and North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership Program, will bring together experts to share their knowledge and experience on USDA Good Agricultural Practice audits and farm food safety practices. The Summit is expected to be a valuable resource for all farmers–including learning from the speakers during the sessions, talking to vendors and service providers, meeting produce buyers, or networking over lunch. With funding support from the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture, this event is being offered free of charge, including lunch and refreshments. Registration is required, and space is limited.
»Register online

Hawaiʻi County Agricultural Real Property Tax Workshops
Saturday, August 2 • 10 a.m.–12 p.m. (via Zoom)
Join representatives from UH CTAHR and the County of Hawaiʻi to learn more about Hawaiʻi County’s three agricultural tax programs including how to file and on-site support completing paperwork. The workshops are intended to help landowners understand how to reduce property taxes by dedicating land to agricultural use.
»Register online or call (808) 961-8764

GoFarm AgCurious webinar
Tuesday, July 22 • 5:30–7 p.m. (via Zoom)
GoFarm’s Hawaiʻi Island site is gearing up for their next cohort of farmer trainees. AgCurious is the first phase of involvement in the course in which participants attend an informational webinar to learn what the next phases of the course will entail.
»Register online

West Hawaiʻi Farmer’s, Rancher’s, and Forester’s Resource Workshop
Friday, July 25 • 3–5:40 p.m.
Kona Imin Center, 76-5877 Old Government Rd, Hōlualoa, Hawaiʻi Island (map)
Hear from the Soil and Water Conservation District, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, and Risk Management Agency about conservation programs, financial and technical assistance, farm loans, and improving soil health. For more information, contact Jolene Lau (jolene.lau@usda.gov).

Mauna Kea SWCD / NRCS Local Working Group meeting
Friday, July 25 • 3:30–5:30 p.m.
Waimea Civic Center, 67-5189 Kamāmalu St, Waimea, Hawaiʻi Island (map)
The Mauna Kea Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are holding their annual Local Working Group meeting to discuss the Waimea Field Office’s priority resource concerns for fiscal year 2026. RSVP to Nicole Fernandez by emailing mkswcd@gmail.com or calling (808) 785-4807.

Hāmākua SWCD / NRCS Local Working Group meeting
Tuesday, July 29 • 5–7 p.m.
Honokaʻa High School Cafeteria, 45-527 Pakalana St, Honokaʻa, Hawaiʻi Island (map)
The Hāmākua Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are holding their annual Local Working Group meeting to discuss Hāmākua’s priority resource concerns for fiscal year 2026. RSVP by emailing hamakuaswcd1990@gmail.com. If you’re unable to attend in-person, you may share your feedback in this survey.

Greenhouse Construction Workshop
Saturdays, August 9, 16, 23, and 30 • 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
ʻAkala Berry Farm, Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island
Join GoFarm for a 4-week training through full installation of a NRCS-funded greenhouse. The course will cover foundation setup, concrete pouring, post setting, wall installation, NRCS grant information and process, and tools needed and additional considerations. Cost is $50 and space is limited.
»Register online

Ranching for Profit workshop
Thursday, August 21–Saturday, August 23 • 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Grand Naniloa Hotel, 93 Banyan Dr, Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island (map)
This 3-day workshop will help ranchers identify opportunities to improve productivity and increase profitability. Cost is $550 with discounts for Hawaiʻi Cattlemen’s Council members, and space is limited.
»Register online