Kupu was developed in response to the growing needs of Hawai`i’s communities to train up the next generation in natural resource management, renewable energy, energy conservation and other green job skill sets. Kupu is predicated on the Hawaiian concept of maka hana ka`ike, “in working one learns.” Kupu programs teach youth vital work skills as well as leadership, responsibility and learning to serve the community, incorporating vocational training, educational degree achievement and service learning. Kupu provides hundreds of paid internships, engages up to 17,000 volunteers, and provides more than $9 million benefit to Hawai`i through its programs annually. This includes over 230,000 service hours and close to a half million dollars in college and continued education funds to Hawai`i’s youth. Download our Annual Report→