The Kohala Center……Opportunity/Employment/Events

Employment

Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy is hiring two interns
Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy (HPA) is hiring for two paid internships for the Sustainable Agriculture and Community Outreach program. The interns will apprentice at HPA campus gardens and support community food outreach, assist in garden education, and gain experience in regenerative agriculture. The positions run for one year at 17 hours per week, starting July 2025. Applications are due April 15. View the job posting and apply here.

Hawaiʻi Farmers Union is hiring two Maui County positions
The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union is hiring two positions, a full-time Field Technician for its Puʻuwai restoration project in West Maui, and a part-time Membership & Outreach Coordinator to support its Maui County Chapters. Visit the links above for more information and to apply.

The Kohala Center (TKC) is hiring two positions
TKC is hiring a grants account manager and a financial controller. Visit the links above for more information and to apply.

HuiMAU is hiring two ʻāina education positions
HuiMAU is hiring an ʻāina education specialist and an ʻāina education assistant to support the local community’s knowledge of place through ʻāina and Hawaiian culture-based educational initiatives. For more information visit the HuiMAU website. To apply, send a cover letter and resume to kealaulili@gmail.com.

Terraformation is hiring three forestry operations positions
Terraformation is hiring a restoration technician, a climate impact coordinator, and a facilities maintenance technician on Hawaiʻi Island. Terraformation Hawaiʻi aims to restore Hawaiʻi Island’s forests to capture carbon and revitalize nature through native ecosystem restoration projects, seed banking, agroforestry operations, accessible technology, community engagement, and capacity building. Visit the links above for more information and to apply.

The Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Cooperative (HUC) is hiring agricultural processors
HUC is hiring part-time and full-time agricultural processors at their Kona headquarters on Hawaiʻi Island. Both day and night shifts are available. Visit the HUC website for more information. To apply call (808) 322-3064 or email operations@eatbreadfruit.com.

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Opportunities

USDA offering Value-Added Producer Grants
USDA is currently accepting applications for the Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG) program. These grants help agricultural producers generate new products, create marketing opportunities, and increase their incomes through value-added activities. Applications are due April 17. Learn more and apply here.

Mālama Kaua‘i seeking farmers and agricultural projects for a new ag park
Mālama Kauaʻi is seeking prospective farmers interested in licensing a farm plot on their new Olohena ‘ĀINA Center (OAC), an 87-acre ag park,which includes farm plots, agroforestry, and shared facilities for farmers including a wash and pack area, greenhouse, cold storage, and a meeting/business space. Interested producers can submit their information here to get updates on the project and receive invitations to participate in feedback sessions on facility planning. Visit the OAC website or email Megan Fox for more information.

Mālama Da Farmer grant deadline extended to April 7, 2025
The Hawaiʻi Food Basket (HFB) Mālama Da Farmer grant program is still accepting applications. These grants aim to support economic recovery of small food producers in Hawaiʻi County whose businesses were financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The County awarded funds to HFB to drive an increase in local food production by providing support to eligible small businesses and nonprofits interested in expanding their operations. Grant awards range from $5,000–$25,000. The deadline to apply is April 7, 2025 (11:59 p.m. HST). For more information and to apply, visit the HFB Mālama da Farmer website.

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Events

Farm Loans Webinar
Thursday, April 3 • 5–6 p.m.
The Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Cooperative is hosting a free webinar for attendees to learn about specific programs from representatives of the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, Feed The Hunger Fund, and the Hawaiʻi Ag Finance Network.
»Register online

The Easy Way to Business Bookkeeping: Paper & Excel webinar
Tuesday, April 8 • 10–11:30 a.m.
The Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center is offering a webinar to help small businesses track money and expenses simply with paper and Excel. Fee is $15.
»Register online

Webinar series: Tools to enhance your business management
Join experts online from the Center for Farm Financial Management at the University of Minnesota for a free weekly webinar series designed to enhance business management skills. The series will run every Thursday at 10 a.m. HST through May 1st with a different topic each week:

• April 10: Where should I market my products?
• April 17: How much did that market make?
• April 24: FSA Programs, Farm Answers, and USDA Beginning Farmer Programs
• May 1: Putting it all together

» Register online

ʻUlu (Breadfruit) Air Layering Workshop
Saturday, April 19 • 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
O.K. Farms, Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island (register for location details)
Join the Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Cooperative (HUC) and local farmers in a farm tour and learn about successful breadfruit propagation practices on this orchard of over 200 young trees. Participants are encouraged to bring a potluck dish to share.
»Register online

GoFarm 6-Week Composting Course
Tuesday, April 29–Tuesday, June 3
GoFarm is accepting applications for their 6-Week Composting Course, designed for farmers who want to learn practical, cost-effective methods for producing high-quality compost on their own farms. The course involves evening Zoom sessions and two Oʻahu field trips. Applications are due April 18. Tuition is $50 and includes a free quality testing for your first batch of compost.
»Apply online

Variety Showcase
Wednesday, May 21 • 4–7 p.m.
Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa, 78-128 Ehukai St, Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi Island (map)
The Culinary Breeding Network and GoFarm invite food enthusiasts, farmers, chefs, and plant breeders to the Variety Showcase, a public event celebrating the vibrant world of tropical plant breeding. Attendees will have the opportunity to taste new and in-development vegetable, fruit, and grain varieties, including those with deep cultural and agricultural roots in Hawaiʻi, and to learn about the important work that breeders and seed growers are doing to shape the future of food.
»Buy tickets with farmer discount