THE KOHALA CENTER: Employment/Opportunities/Events

Employment

The Kohala Center is hiring a mahiʻāina specialist
The Kohala Center (TKC) is hiring a mahiʻāina specialist who is responsible for the long-term development and daily care of a 60-acre ʻili ʻāina nāhelehele, or native forested land division in Kawaihae-uka. This position supports TKC’s native seed bank, nursery, and planting efforts to include hosting learning and stewardship experiences, providing ongoing facilities operations and maintenance, and mālama ʻāina responsibilities. Visit our Career Center for more information and to apply.

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.

Hāmākua Agricultural Cooperative is hiring a website developer
Hāmākua Agricultural Cooperative is seeking a website developer to make updates to their website. Work is on a contract basis. Email your resume to hamakuaagcoop@gmail.com.

HPA is hiring for two internships
Hawaii Preparatory Academy (HPA) is hiring for two paid internships in Sustainable Agriculture and Community Outreach. The interns will apprentice at the campus gardens and support HPA’s community food outreach program, assist in garden education, and gain experience in regenerative agriculture. Apply online.

Lynker is hiring a marketing coordinator and technical service provider
The marketing coordinator and technical service provider support Lynker’s grant award from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) entitled Hawaiʻi-Grown Partnership for Agriculture. The marketing coordinator will be responsible for leading the development and tracking the implementation of a marketing and market expansion incentive program. The technical service provider delivers direct in-field and remote technical assistance to agricultural and forestry producers participating in voluntary incentive programs.

Opportunities

Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship
First Nations Development Institute is offering 10 fellowships of $75,000 each to outstanding Native knowledge holders and knowledge makers engaged in meaningful work that benefits Native people and communities in reservation or urban settings. The fellowship will run January 1, 2027–December 31, 2028 and is flexible in that it allows fellows to determine their own goals and decide how their funds are best used. Fellows will be required to submit two formal reports, one at the end of each year. Apply online by April 6.

Native Food Security grants
First Nations Development Institute is offering $10,000–$40,000 grants to Native-led and Native-serving organizations working to ensure consistent access and availability to an abundance of culturally relevant foods. Focus areas include Native Food Distribution, Food Life Cycle, Wild Food Harvesting, and Native Resilient Foodways. Apply online by April 14.

Report Damage from the March 2026 Kona Low to USDA FSA
Farmers facing impacts from the recent Kona Low storm can report agricultural damage to the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), including damage to crops, livestock, and infrastructure. Farmers are advised to record damage through photos and/or videos prior to cleanup and to save receipts for repairs and recovery costs. To report damage in Hawaiʻi County, contact the Hilo FSA Office at (808) 933-8334. Find your local FSA office here.

Complete the Hawaiʻi Agricultural Disaster Impact Survey
Report damage resulting from the March 2026 Kona Low system to The Hawaiʻi Ag Disaster Response’s Statewide Rapid Assessment Tool. This tool helps government farm agencies to direct resources and appropriate supports to help meet local needs following disaster impacts. Learn more about the survey and complete a report here.

Agricultural flood loss assessment tool
GoFarm’s agricultural flood loss assessment tool can be used to estimate flood-related crop and farm losses for insurance, disaster assistance, grant documentation, or your own records. After submission, you will receive a PDF summary by email.

USDA Value-Added Producer Grant applications open
The USDA Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) is now accepting applications to support farmers and ranchers interested in developing new products, expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing farm income through value-added activities such as processing, packaging, branding, and marketing. The FY2026 application window is currently open. Proposals must be submitted through the USDA Grant Application Portal by 1:00 p.m. ET on April 22, 2026. Planning grants of up to $50,000 and working capital grants of up to $200,000 are available with a 1:1 match requirement. Learn more about the program including funding eligibility and program overview here.

Noi Kōkua Business Builder and ʻUmeke ʻAi Pono Community Feeding grants
Hawaiʻi Good Food Alliance is offering two grant pathways. Noi Kōkua awards up to $15,000 for farm and food business needs like equipment, production, value-added, and operation improvements. ʻUmeke ʻAi Pono awards up to $30,000 for the purchase of locally grown foods for community distribution and recipes/story gathering. Application deadline extended to April 10.

ʻĀina to Mākeke incubator–Cohort 8 accepting applications
ʻĀina to Mākeke is a 12-week incubator offered by UH Leeward Community College that examines what it takes to become a successful food business entrepreneur, guiding participants in how to scale-up a kitchen recipe into a commercial product ready for market. Participants will receive $1,000 through HACA’s Cottage Industry to Commercial Enterprise Scholarship towards the $1,500 program tuition. Cohort 8 will run June 15–September 2. Classes are virtual on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30–7:30 p.m., with one in-person showcase at the end. Apply by April 20.

Events

Lift Up Farmers event
Saturday, April 4 • 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Touching The Earth Farm, 55-567 Lincoln Ave, Kapaʻau, Hawaiʻi Island (map)
Join HIP Agriculture and Touching The Earth Farm for a day of connection, learning, and community in coming together to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s agricultural future. The event will feature soil health education, coconut processing and value-added pathways, CRB awareness and prevention, and panels, demos, and talk story with farmers and food entrepreneurs.
»Register online

GoFarm AgCurious info sessions
Various dates and times in April–September (via Zoom)
GoFarm is holding informational webinars about their statewide beginner farmer training program. The webinar will cover an overview of the program, participant expectations, application process and next steps, and Q&A with the farm coach and alumni. Read more about the program on GoFarm’s website. Register for your island’s session online.
»Register online

Webinar: Becoming an authorized SNAP farmer
Tuesday, April 14 • 3–4 p.m. (via Zoom)
Join Hawaiʻi Good Food Alliance and Feed the Hunger Fund for a webinar about the essentials of accepting SNAP benefits and bridge the gap between your harvest and those who need it most.
»Register online

Korean Natural Farming monthly meetings
Monthly on 2nd Tuesday • 6–8 p.m.
UH Komohana Research & Extension Center, 875 Komohana St, Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island (map)
Join UH Komohana Research & Extension Center for monthly potlucks and get-together workshops to learn about Korean Natural Farming. All experience levels are welcome. The next session will be Tuesday, April 14 featuring a talk story with David Sansone of Hawaii Edible Landscaping.
»More information

Three-part workshop: The ecology of cultivation
Various dates in April–May • 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
One Village Farm, North Kohala, Hawaiʻi Island (address provided with registration)
One Village Farm is offering a three-part introduction to regenerative agriculture, observation, and agroforestry systems. Move beyond individual plants and learn to understand landscapes as living systems–where soil, water, biodiversity, and human intention interact in dynamic ways. Participants may attend a single workshop or the full three-part series.
»Register online

Produce Safety Alliance grower training
Monday, April 20–Wednesday, April 22 • 4–7 p.m. (via Zoom)
Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (HDAB) and UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR) is holding a produce safety training for fruit and vegetable growers. Learn about the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and good agricultural practices (GAPs). If you need to complete a food safety training as required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this course will satisfy that requirement. Cost is $150. The deadline to register is April 13.
»Register online

American National CattleWomen Region VI meeting
Monday, April 27–Wednesday, April 29
Hilton Waikōloa Village, 69-425 Waikōloa Beach Dr, Waikōloa Village, Hawaiʻi Island (map)
American National CattleWomen, in collaboration with Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, is hosting a three-day regional event focused on leadership, education, and connection for women in agriculture. The event will feature presentations, field trips, networking opportunities, and more.
»Register online