Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 39, Number 5, 1 May 2022 — Supporting the Mālama 'Āina Economy [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Supporting the Mālama 'Āina Economy

With the help of an OHA grant, Kupu is training future conservation leaders on Hawai'i, Maui, Moloka'i and Kaua'i By Ed Kalama "He ali'i ka 'āina; he kauwā ke kanaka; Ihe land is chief; man is its servant." Land has no needfor man, but man needs the land and works itfora livelihood. It's part of the collective identity of Native Hawaiians. The land is chief, and man is its servant. The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness. Of all the wisdom left to us by our ancestors, caring for the 'āina is one of the most valuable lessons. "It's important for Native Hawaiian youth to be trained for careers in conservation, for their benefit and for the benefit of all of Hawai' i," said Kawika Riley, senior director for external affairs at Kupu. 'Anyone born and raised here has a ehanee to develop a deep love, affection and understanding for the needs and possibilities that eome from our 'āina. But the Native Hawaiian community is uniquely suited to do amazing things in this area. "Caring for the 'āina is something that we are already raised to do. In a healthy, thriving Native Hawaiian family, you learn how to do that and for many

of us, we think of it as a way of life. But, if given the opportunity to have a career in conservation and natural resource management, it also ean be a way to feed your family, grow our economy, and give back." Over the last 20 years, Kupu has trained and created pathways for more than 5,000 youth and young adults preparing them for what they eall the "Mālama 'Āina Economy." Through its Conservation Leadership Development Program, Kupu provides rigorous, entry-level employment opportunities for developing 'Ōiwi professionals age 17 and older who want to commit to a career in conservation. Most paid positions in conservation are currently held by non-Hawaiians. Kupu works to address the barriers that limit Native Hawaiian access to conservation jobs. Kupu's Conservation Leadership Development Program partners with federal, state, and community nonprofits whose primary goals are environmentally and sustainably focused, such as invasive species removal of plants and animals, habitat restoration, animal husbandry, trail restoration, nursery, and Native Hawaiian cultural stewardship. The program currently has about 100 participants, with about a dozen participants across the pae 'āina receiving funding through an Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) grant awarded in response to the COVID-19 pandemic with the goal of getting Native Hawaiians back to work.

Participants are paid for 11 months of service (plus heahh benefits) with a hosting organization and, upon completion of the program, are eligible for up to $6,100 in additional educational awards. Essentially a paid service term with scholarship money awaiting its graduates. "We pay the participants in the Conservation Leadership Development Program because we expect a lot out of them. They are there to learn, they are there to SEE SUPPORTING THE MĀLAMA 'ĀINA EC0N0MY ON PAGE 6

"This partnership with OHA is solely focused on providing training, ineome and opportunity for Native Hawaiians. But another thing that we've worked hard to do is to plaee them at organizations that are owned, led or managed by Native Hawaiians as well - KAWIKA RILEY

Program participant Hanoa Pua'a-Freitas explains to his son the importance of kilo, and why observation is a significant skill to learn in conservation work and 'āina restoration,- Photo: KA'EHU

Upcountry Farm Specialities from Kula, Maui, is another Kupu Conservation Leadership Development Progrom partner. Here, participant lammy Apana is pictured with some of the farm's produce. - Photo: Upcountry Farm Specialities

Kupu participants conduct stream species trapping as part of their work with nonprofit KA'EHU who promotes conservation and restoration of the 'āina in and around Ka'ehu Bay neor Paukūkalo, Maui. - Photo: KA'EHU