THE KOHALA CENTER: Employment/Opportunities/Events

Employment

Kohala Food Hub is hiring a part-time driver/packer
Kohala Food Hub is looking for a part-time driver/packer to handle and transport boxes of local produce. Review the job description here. To apply, send a resume and cover letter to director@kohalafoodhub.com.

Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden is hiring a nursery coordinator
The Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden is seeking an experienced nursery coordinator to lead plant nursery operations in Captain Cook, Hawaiʻi Island. This position is responsible for overseeing the nursery functions including tracking and ordering supplies, propagating native Hawaiian and heritage canoe plants and maintaining inventory, seeking and managing accounts, supporting plant sales, overseeing volunteers and interns, and responding to customer queries. For more information visit their website.

Terraformation is hiring an agroforestry technician
Terraformation is seeking an agroforestry technician to help with maintenance and care of tropical fruit and nut orchards in the Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island area. View more information and apply online.

The Kohala Center is hiring an ʻāina operations manager
The Kohala Center is hiring an ‘āina operations manager at Keawewai in the ahupuaʻa of Kawaihae on Kohala Mountain. Visit our Career Center for more information and to apply.

Opportunities

Grant opportunity for Hawaiʻi Island nonprofits
Hawaiʻi County is accepting applications for its Impact Grants program, which awards $10,000– $25,000 grants to nonprofit organizations driving positive change in various program areas, one of which includes agriculture and food systems. Applications are due October 1.

Grants for small businesses to conduct innovative research in agriculture
USDA is accepting applications for its Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer (SBIR/STTR) grants. Grants up to $650,000 will be competitively awarded to small businesses to support innovative research in agriculture that could lead to significant public benefits. Applications are due September 23.

Get reimbursed for agricultural transport costs
Enrollment is now open for USDA’s Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment (RTCP) program, which reimburses agricultural producers for transport costs in geographically disadvantaged areas, which includes Hawaiʻi. The enrollment period will close September 30. Contact your Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office or call 1-866-794-1079 to get an application.

USDA NIFA–AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Program accepting applications
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) provides funding for fundamental and applied research, education, and extension projects in the food and agricultural sciences. The Foundational and Applied Science Program is open for applications that address one of six AFRI priority areas for FY 2026, including: 1) Plant health and production and plant products; 2) Animal health and production and animal products; 3) Food safety, nutrition, and health; 4) Bioenergy, natural resources, and environment; 5) Agriculture systems and technology; and 6) Agriculture economics and rural communities. The maximum award amount ranges $50,000–$1.15 million depending on the type of project, with varying application deadlines between October 2–November 13. Review the RFA and apply online.

Hawaiʻi County offering free plant giveaways
Hawaiʻi County’s Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience is launching a new initiative called Lāʻau Love, a new initiative that puts native and canoe plants in the hands of residents. Visit their website for more information and sign up to be notified of upcoming adoption events.

Events

Paniolo Festival
Monday, September 15–Saturday, September 20
Waimea, Hawaiʻi Island (various locations)
The weeklong festival will feature country bingo, line dancing, bonfire mele and moʻolelo, and a beef cook-off and will conclude with a parade on Saturday. View the schedule on their website below.
»More information

Capitalization workshop
Thursday, September 18 • 1–4 p.m.
Hawaiʻi Farm-to-Car, 230 Kekuanaoa St, Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island (map)
Join Hawaiʻi Commercial Kitchens and Hoʻōla Farms for a free workshop on grants, loans, and financial planning featuring Dr. Brett Carey of Edward Jones. Virtual attendance is also available.
»Register online

Pesticide safety training
Friday, September 19 • 4–6 p.m.
Komohana Research and Extension Center, 875 Komohana St, Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island (map)
Learn to calibrate small-scale pesticide equipment and apply products correctly following label instructions. The workshop will be trilingual in English, Mandarin, and Korean. Email Emilie Kirk (erkirk@hawaii.edu) with any questions.

Hāmākua Harvest Farm Fest
Sunday September 21 • 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Hāmākua Harvest Farmers Market, 44-2600 Mamalahoa Hwy, Honokaʻa, Hawaiʻi Island (map)
Join Hāmākua Harvest for the 10th annual Farm Fest, featuring live music, food and artisanal vendors, educational booths, and keiki activities.

Hawaiʻi Master Food Preservers Conference
Thursday, October 23 • 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, 71 Banyan Dr, Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island (map)
Join Hawaiʻi Master Food Preservers and Hawaiʻi Tropical Fruit Growers for the first year of this conference focused on food preservation in Hawaiʻi, featuring speakers from National Center for Home Food Preservation, Pacific Pectin, Maui Food Innovation Center, and the USDA Agricultural Research Service. Tickets are available for purchase online, with discounts from Hawaiʻi Tropical Fruit Growers members.
»Purchase tickets online

Hawaiʻi Tropical Fruit Growers Conference
Friday, October 24–Sunday, October 26
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, 71 Banyan Dr, Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island (map)
Join Hawaiʻi Tropical Fruit Growers for their 35th annual conference, with speakers to include farmers, government officials, and various fruit experts. The conference will also feature a fruit tasting on Saturday and farm tours in Hilo on Sunday. Buy your tickets before September 1 for early bird pricing, with discounts for Hawaiʻi Tropical Fruit Growers members.
»Purchase tickets online

Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United annual convention
Saturday, October 25–Sunday, October 26
Kahaluʻu Ma Kai, 78-6780 Aliʻi Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi Island (map)
Join Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United (HFUU) for their 15th annual convention. Saturday will feature speakers and demonstrations will take place throughout the day, with breaks for makahiki games and lunch, followed by dinner and live music. Sunday will hold HFUU’s annual meeting and elections. Attendance is free. Visit their website for more details.
»Register online