By: Ari Lunow-Luke, Program Coordinator at Ho’okua’aina
This year, we are excited to announce that we are piloting new partnerships with other ‘āina organizations across Ko’olaupoko for our Ahupua’a Systems Apprenticeship (ASA) program!
For the past four years, our ASA participants have worked with Hoʻokuaʻāina staff on-site to gain leadership skills in ahupuaʻa management through an intensive two-year program. Each semester, apprentices must complete 100 hours of work at Hoʻokuaʻāina while being enrolled in courses at Windward Community College. In turn, Hoʻokuaʻāina helps ASA participants with college tuition, provides a work stipend, and mentors ASA through Hawaiian values-based coaching that teaches life lessons and a strong work ethic.
Our new ASA cohort now has the opportunity to engage with multiple work sites in addition to Ho’okua’āina, such as Papahana Kuaola, Paepae o He’eia, and Kāko’o ‘Ōiwi! In partnership with these organizations, we hope to provide a range of experiences in aloha ‘āina and a network of people on the Windward side who can support young kamaʻāina in career and leadership development. We currently have eight hard-working ASA participants in Cohort 4 who are pursuing Associates degrees in fields such as Hawaiian Studies, Business, and Liberal Arts, and can’t wait to welcome new members to Cohort 5!
Applications are still open for ASA Cohort 5 so please spread the word to family and friends! Check out the graphics and application link below for more information. NOTE: DATES ON THE POSTER NO LONGER APPLY, AS THE APPLICATION DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED.
Webpage Link: https://hookuaaina.org/asa/
Application Link: https://hookuaaina.org/asa/application/
