THE KOHALA CENTER: Employment/Opportunities/Events

Employment

The Kohala Center is hiring a donor and volunteer engagement specialist
The Kohala Center is hiring a donor and volunteer engagement specialist who is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with supporters who contribute financially and/or donate their time. This position is based in Waimea with occasional travel to TKC-stewarded ʻāina in North Kohala, Honokaʻa, and Kahaluʻu. Visit our Career Center for more information and to apply.

HuiMAU is hiring two positions on Hawaiʻi Island
Hui Mālama i ke ala ʻŪlili (huiMAU) is hiring an ʻāina education program specialist and a mālama ʻāina technician. The ʻāina education program specialist will lead huiMAU’s keiki programs, develop and implement ʻāina- and Hawaiian culture-based curriculum, and maintain partnerships with DOE schools. The mālama ʻāina technician will help with ʻāina restoration and maintenance, food cultivation, and equipment and vehicle maintenance. View the job descriptions here.

Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance Foundation is hiring an administrative coordinator
Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance Foundation is hiring an administrative coordinator for their Ahupuaʻa Accelerator Initiative (AAI), which addresses needs in ahupuaʻa restoration by focusing on community and culturally centered efforts that bridge terrestrial and marine stewardship, conservation, and restoration. View the job description here.

Opportunities

USDA Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) available for 2025 grazing losses
The USDA Farm Service Agency’s Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) provides financial assistance to livestock producers who experienced grazing losses due to drought conditions. Producers may be eligible for assistance tied to 2025 grazing losses and increased feed costs. Applications with supporting documentation is due March 2. If you are in Hawaiʻi County, contact the Hilo FSA Office at (808) 933-8334 as soon as possible to review eligibility and begin the application process.

USDA ELAP assistance available for water hauling and drought losses
The USDA Farm Service Agency’s Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybee, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) provides financial assistance to livestock producers for drought-related losses not covered under other programs, including the additional cost of hauling water to livestock when drought creates new or increased need beyond normal operations. Producers eligible for support tied to 2025 drought impacts must apply by March 2, 2026. Documentation is required to verify water hauling expenses above normal due to drought conditions. If you are in Hawaiʻi County, contact the Hilo FSA Office at (808) 933-8334 as soon as possible to review eligibility and begin the application process.

New USDA assistance for specialty crop farmers – acreage reporting due March 13
USDA has announced a new $1 billion Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program to provide one-time payments to producers impacted by market disruptions, rising input costs, inflation, and increased foreign competition. Administered through the Farm Service Agency, this program supports a wide range of specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, coffee, sweet potato, kalo, ʻulu, and other Hawaiʻi-grown crops. Payments will be based on reported 2025 planted acres. To be considered, producers must ensure their 2025 acreage is reported to FSA by 5 p.m. ET on March 13. Crop-specific payment rates will be announced later. For questions and to report acreage in Hawaiʻi County, contact the Hilo FSA Office at (808) 933-8334.

USDA conservation reserve program (CRP) accepting offers
CRP provides financial and technical support to landowners who voluntarily convert unproductive or marginal land to beneficial vegetative cover for a period of 10-15 years. The goal of the program is to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and support wildlife habitat. USDA is accepting offers for its Continuous CRP through March 20. Enrollment for General CRP will run from March 9–April 17. Dates for Grassland CRP will be announced in the near future. Learn more about CRP here.

Grants for native food sovereignty
First Nations is accepting applications for their 2026 Native Food Sovereignty grants. These grants support the inherent right of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities to exercise self-determination and self-governance in all aspects of their food systems. Grants range from $10,000–$40,000 and support the following focus areas: first foods and maternal health, native farm to school, GATHER emerging organizations and programs, and governance of native food systems. Apply online by March 17.

Kohala Food Hub accepting applications for Farm to Family program on Hawaiʻi Island
Kohala Food Hub’s Farm to Family program provides fresh and local produce to qualifying households at no charge. They are currently accepting applications for households located in North Kohala, Waimea, and Honokaʻa.

Beekeeping class in Honokaʻa, Hawaiʻi Island
Bird and Bee Hawaiʻi is offering a 4-part class to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed for successful beekeeping in Hawaiʻi, including basics of the hive, hive inspections, equipment construction and maintenance, honey extraction, and pests of the hive. The course will take place on four Sundays in March. Register online.

Hoʻolako Farmers Market accepting vendors in Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island
The Hoʻolako Campus Farmers Market is a new community-centered market in Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island offered by The Food Basket. The market is scheduled to start April 1 and is accepting new vendors. Vendors may apply online.

HIP Ag recruiting for beginner farmer training program
HIP Agriculture is accepting applicants for its 5.5-month Residential Beginner Farmer Training Program, running July 13–December 19 in North Kohala. This immersive program offers hands-on training in market gardening and tropical agroforestry, along with education, farm-grown food, housing, and a stipend. Apply online.

Grants for community forest projects
Kaulunani, the Urban and Community Forestry program of Hawaiʻi’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife, invites proposals that support local urban and community forestry initiatives and projects. This may include: tree plantings and giveaways, tree care and maintenance, agroforestry, education and outreach, cultural and artistic expression, and more. Grants are between $20,000–$50,000. Apply by March 1.

Events

Food canning workshops
Various dates in February–May
St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, 54-3801 Akoni Pule Hwy, Kapaʻau, Hawaiʻi Island (map)
These one- to two-day workshops will teach you the science behind canning and the proper techniques for water bath canning, high pressure canning, and fermentation and pickling to create shelf-stable foods without the need for refrigeration.
»Register online

Understanding rat lungworm disease
Saturday, February 21 • 9–10 a.m.
HPP Community Center, 15-1946 Lokelani Ave, Keaʻau, Hawaiʻi Island (map)
Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC) is hosting an educational session to share about the life cycle and biology of the rat lungworm parasite and measures you can take to reduce the risk of disease to you and your ʻohana.
»More information

Workshop: Catering, private cheffing, and culinary operations
Saturday, February 21 • 1–3 p.m.
Kohala Food Hub, 55-230 Hō‘ea Rd, Hāwī, Hawaiʻi Island (map)
Join Kohala Food Hub for a workshop on launching and running a successful catering or private chef business from Chef Dray Wilson and Shannon of Island Style Grindz. This hands-on workshop covers everything from startup costs and menu development to client management, event execution, and building sustainable growth in the culinary industry.
»Register online

Niu Festival: A hoʻopono event in Hilo
Sunday, February 22 • 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Haili Street and Palace Theater, Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island (map)
The Niu Festival is a full day of community gathering centered on niu, the tree of life. In the morning, Haili Street will feature hands-on niu activities, cultural practice, meaʻai, and community-led stations. At 2 p.m., doors will open to Palace Theater for a free screening of Niu Forever with filmmaker Alex Cantatore followed by a Hoʻopono: Mutual Emergence book celebration with Dr. Manulani Aluli Meyer.
»RSVP online

NRCS PIA state technical committee meeting
Tuesday, February 24 • 12:30 p.m. (via Microsoft Teams)
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in the Pacific Islands Area (PIA) is hosting a virtual State Technical Committee meeting as an opportunity for the community to provide information, analysis, and recommendations on conservation priorities. Participants may also help develop criteria for conservation activities, program enrollment and funding, recommended practices, and program payment percentages.
»Join online

Webinar: Food safety certification for market access
Wednesday, February 25 • 5 p.m. (via Zoom)
Join Hawaiʻi Farmers Union and North Shore EVP for a webinar about food safety certifications. Learn the benefits of certification, how to determine if it’s right for your operation, and what the process looks like in action, including an overview of the Hawaiʻi GroupGAP program.
»Register online

Ag Day at the Capitol
Thursday, February 26 • 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Hawaiʻi State Capitol, 4th floor, 415 S Beretania St, Honolulu, Oʻahu (map)
Join farmers, ranchers, ag partners, and policymakers to learn about opportunities and challenges around food production in Hawaiʻi. This event is hosted by Rep. Cory Chun, Rep. Matthias Kusch, Sen. Mike Gabbard, and Sen. Tim Richards.

Little fire ant management class
Thursday, February 26 • 6–7:30 p.m.
Kō Education Center, 45-539 Plumeria St, Honokaʻa, Hawaiʻi Island (map)
Join Hawaiʻi Ant Lab for a free class that will teach you everything you need to know to effectively manage little fire ants (LFA) on your property, including identification, testing, treatment strategies, prevention, and common mistakes. If you can’t make it, Hawaiʻi Ant Lab also holds monthly Zoom sessions.

Grow Hawaiian Festival
Saturday, February 28 • 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, 82-6160 Hawaiʻi Belt Rd, Captain Cook, Hawaiʻi Island (map)
The Grow Hawaiian Festival is an annual, free event featuring demonstrations, hands-on workshops, presentations, and garden tours. Participants engage in traditional plant-based practices such as kapa making, lauhala weaving, and poi pounding, while learning about the central role of native plants in Hawaiian lifeways.
»More information