Kupu, Hawaii’s leading conservation and youth education nonprofit, announced this week the program results and impacts of the Kupu Aina Corps workforce development program, created in 2020 to address the drastic effects of COVID-19 on the local economy.
Using an economic impact assessment developed by Columbia University, Kupu estimated that the work done by its participants during this time period produced over $6.5 million in economic benefit for Hawaii — more than twice the estimated cost of the program.
From September to December, Kupu partnered with the state and used federal coronavirus relief funding to provide short-term “green collar” work and training opportunities for displaced workers and recent graduates impacted by COVID-19. More than 350 program participants selected from over 1,000 applicants logged over 89,000 staff hours at 150 host sites across the islands, with close to half of all positions on the neighbor islands. Over 90% of all participants were retained for the entire length of the program. Based on a survey of participants, one in three were able to stay working after CARES Act funds were no longer available, and nearly half of all participants are either currently working or pursuing higher education.
Post program evaluations also indicated other positive impacts. On the ecological front, Kupu Aina Corps participants collectively treated (directly cared for) over 21,000 acres in Hawaii, removing invasive species, planting native plants, clearing debris and otherwise managing precious natural and cultural resources. While the program concluded in December due to limited CARES Act funding, Kupu noted strong program performance and promising outcomes in terms of long-term participant employment as well as environmental and economic impact.
“We’re pleased at the outcome of the program, which started out as a proactive response to community need and an effort to revitalize our state’s economy that was adversely affected by COVID-19,” said John Leong, Kupu’s CEO. “This program got people working in meaningful jobs, supported businesses, farmers, and non-profit organizations in agriculture and conservation, and it was economically impactful for our state. Overall, hope and aloha were deployed into our community through everyone who supported Kupu Aina Corps, including our local and federal government, partner sites, staff, and those who participated in the program. We’re hoping to continue to sustain this after 2020 and are looking forward to other community partnerships that will help make this possible.”
KAC participants like Mariah Li‘awahine Ha‘o hope to continue the work this year. Previously a food and beverage services supervisor at Outrigger Reef Beach Resort on Oahu, 27-year-old Ha‘o found herself unemployed during the pandemic. Through KAC, she joined Pohaha I Ka Lani, a Native Hawaiian nonprofit based in Waipi‘o Valley.
She cleared Guinea grass, removed invasive plants from choking out native species, planted various native trees, tended to various overgrown lo‘i kalo, and learned different styles for mulching and propagating plants.
“Spiritually, I connected myself to the wahi pana of Waipi‘o and feel extremely blessed as a kanaka to have that opportunity,” Ha‘o said. “This experience has affirmed my change in career. I’ve worked in tourism for most of my adult life but this has made me rededicate myself to ‘Aina. A major lesson I’ve learned is true perseverance. Personally, It has been a difficult few months and this job has helped me establish different levels of steadfastness.”
To donate or for more information, visit www.kupuhawaii.org/ainainnovation.
