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Current KAC Partners
The following organizations serve as Host Sites for our 2023 - 2024 KAC participants.
(Listed in alphabetical order).
Hawaiʻi Island
Hawaii Farm Trails Onomea Farm Hub
Hilo
The Onomea Farm Hub, operating as a subsidiary of Hawaii Farm Trails, endeavors to enhance the proficiency of local farmers by facilitating food production and the creation of consumer packaged goods. Within our host site, various personnel are required to fulfill crucial responsibilities, encompassing the cultivation of market gardens, food processing in a commercial kitchen, co-packing value-added products, brand development and marketing, as well as retail operations. Additionally, we provide direct0to0consumer farm-to-table experiences, emphasizing an educational approach that highlights the significance of canoe crops cultivated within agroforests - an agroecological and cultural practice that we strive to sustain both within our organization and among the farmers we assist.
DLNR DOFAW Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Project
Hilo
The goal of the project is to facilitate management that benefits Palila at Pu’u Mali and Ka’ohe Restoration Areas and on other lands in Palila Critical Habitat (PCH). There are seven staff—Project Coordinator, Field Crew Leader, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator, three Field Technicians, and one AmeriCorps intern. MKFRP is cooperatively managed by the Hawai‘i Division of Forestry and Wildlife and the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit.
DLNR DOFAW NARS East Hawaii
Hilo
The Natural Area Reserves System is a program within the State of Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife and manages eight reserves around the island of Hawaii. The program is engaged in many types of natural resource management work and preserves and protects some of Hawaii's unique native ecosystems as well as its cultural, geological, and natural resources.
DLNR DOFAW East Hawaii Wildlife Avian Malaria Project
Hilo
East Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife is located in Hilo, Hawaii and is responsible for protecting and preserving Hawaii State natural lands and native species on Hawaii Island. Work within the Wildlife department ranges from invasive species control to native plant propagation to monitoring native wildlife. The East Hawaii Wildlife Avian Malaria team surveys nine locations on Hawaii Island for avian malaria, a disease that is carried by invasive mosquitoes and is a primary driver of native bird extinctions. We trap mosquitoes and sample native bird communities to determine the distribution and intensity of avian malaria on Hawaii Island. This data is being used to directly inform conservation actions to prevent future native bird extinctions.
The Kohala Center
Honokaʻa
Founded in the year 2000, The Kohala Center is an independent, community-based nonprofit focused on research, education, and ‘āina stewardship for healthier ecosystems. By turning ancestral knowledge and research into daily practice, we cultivate conditions that reconnect us with our place, water, food, and people, so that communities in Hawai‘i and around the world can thrive—ecologically, culturally, economically, and socially.
DLNR DOFAW NEPM Hawaii Island Natural Area Reserves Systems
Kamuela
The statewide Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) was established to preserve in perpetuity specific land and water areas which support communities, as relatively unmodified as possible, of the natural flora and fauna, as well as geological sites, of Hawai‘i. The system presently consists of 21 reserves on five islands, encompassing 123,810 acres of the State’s most unique ecosystems. The diverse areas found in the NARS range from marine and coastal environments to lava flows, tropical rainforests, and even an alpine desert.
Blue Ocean Barns
Kailua-Kona
Blue Ocean Barns grows a special red seaweed that is having a huge impact in the fight against climate change. This seaweed, which is known by the scientific name Asparagopsis or the Hawaiian name limu kohu, can eliminate 5% of all greenhouse gases that are emitted around the world each year.
EcoHarvest Hawaiʻi
Kailua-Kona
Ecoharvest Hawaii is an aquaculture facility dedicated to farming important Hawaiian ornamental fish to provide the aquarium industry with a sustainable alternative to wild collection. We operate an innovative small footprint hatchery on the Kona coast to produce marine ornamental fish and develop automated hatchery technology to reduce labor in this traditionally labor dense field. Ecoharvest aims to make critical improvements to larval rearing and product yield in order to expand the commercial availability of all sought after aquarium fish in addition to Hawaiian fish, which will have a global impact on reef conservation.
Re-use Hawaiʻi
Kailua-Kona
Re-use Hawai‘i is an environmental nonprofit with a mission to reduce waste and cultivate a circular economy through reuse and recycling. By processing and redistributing material recovered by deconstruction, we transform ‘waste’ into treasure and provide the community with an affordable alternative to new building and other materials.
Punachicks Farm, LLC
Kurtistown
Punachicks Farm is a diversified regenerative farm located on 25 acres. Our main products are pastured poultry and eggs, however we have a lot of other smaller enterprises at the farm such as a herd share program with dairy cows, a small herd of beef cattle, a market garden with a veggie CSA, an agroforestry orchard area with bananas, ulu, fruit trees, and mamaki and we also run a farm stand twice a week selling our products and products from surrounding farms and small businesses.
Kauaʻi
Omao Lands LLC
Koloa
Omao Lands LLC is a certified organic hemp farm in Omao, Kauai that grows organic hemp on a solar-powered farm. We grow the highest quality hemp to make into value-added products at our sister business, Omao Labs LLC bda Kauai Hemp Co. Our farm uses organic best practices, Korean natural farming methods, mulching, and other ecologically sustainable farming methods to malama aina, produce green jobs, and create products our customers love.
DLNR DOFAW Wildlife Program - Kauaʻi
Lihue
The mission of the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife is to responsibly manage and protect watersheds, native ecosystems, and cultural resources and provide outdoor recreation and sustainable forest product opportunities, wile facilitating partnerships, community involvement, and education.
DLNR DOFAW Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project
Hanapepe
The Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project aims to promote knowledge, appreciation, and conservation of Kaua‘i’s native forest birds. We focus on one threatened (‘i‘iwi) and three federally endangered species (puaiohi, ‘akikiki, and ‘akeke‘e), with the goal of facilitating recovery of their populations in the wild.
Waipā Foundation
Hanalei
Waipā is an ahupuaʻa where land, resources, and people are healthy, vibrant, and overflowing with abundance. Waipā Foundation's mission is to restore Waipā's vibrant natural systems and resources; and lead by example. We practice balanced stewardship of our natural resources, maximizing health and productivity, and moving towards sustainability. Waipā is a living learning-center that teaches, shares, and inspires Hawaiian values and ahupuaʻa practices; builds passions, skills and competency in related areas of knowledge; and takes care of its people and communities.
Lanipo Farm LLC.
Kapaʻa
Lanipo Farm is a 10 acre family farm that has been in operation for 13 years on Kauai. We tend a diversity of local food plants, Native plants and livestock. We utilize creative & innovative farming practices developed from our decades of Kahiko, local and international experience in beyondsustainable agriculture. Lanipo Farm operates with intention to support and protect aina as much as it supports and nourishes humankind.
DLNR DOFAW Kauaʻi Natural Area Reserves
Lihue
Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) was established to preserve in perpetuity specific land and water areas which support communities, as relatively unmodified as possible, of the natural flora and fauna, as well as geological sites, of Hawai‘i. The system consists of reserves on five islands and encompasses the State’s most unique ecosystems. The diverse areas found in the NARS range from marine and coastal environments to lava flows, tropical rainforests, and even an alpine desert.
Global Algae Innovations Inc.
Lihue
Global Algae is a family-owned company guided by Christian values. Global Algae was founded in 2013 by Dr. David Hazlebeck with the mission to change the world through technology, service, and compassion. Our vision is to harness the unparalleled productivity of algae to provide food and fuel for the world, dramatically improving the environment, economy, and quality of life for all people. To achieve this vision, large-scale algae farming needs to be economically viable and energy efficient, so radical advances were necessary in every step of the algae production process. Therefore, the company’s efforts have been focused on research and development to lower the cost and energy use in algae farming.
DLNR DOFAW Kauaʻi Endangered Seabird Recovery Project
Lihue
Kaua‘i Endangered Seabird Recovery Project, founded in 2006, focuses primarily on the three endangered seabirds found on the island of Kauaʻi – Newell’s Shearwater (Puffinus newelli), Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis), and Band-rumped Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma castro). Our work involves identifying the breeding distribution of these rare and enigmatic seabirds, monitoring their breeding colonies, undertaking research projects to better understand their life histories and the various threats which they face, and working with partner projects and organizations to ensure their long-term conservation.
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Maui
Polipoli Farms LLC
Wailuku
Polipoli Farms is a Native Hawaiian-owned farm growing native and Polynesian plants in an agroforestry setting. We are located within Nā Wai ʻEhā and on ʻāina that is culturally and historically significant. The original mahiʻai (farmers) of this place practiced regenerative agriculture, and we strive to follow in their footsteps. Our mission is to revive the legacy of this ʻāina and region by feeding the people of Hawaiʻi the food of Hawaiʻi.
Maui Forest Birds Recovery Project
Makawao
Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project (MFBRP) is driven by science and dedicated to the conservation of Hawaiʻi's native forest ecosystems. Formed in 1997, our mission is to develop and implement techniques that recover Maui's endangered forest birds and to restore their habitats through research, development, and application of conservation techniques. Our work includes researching native bird populations, restoring native habitat by controlling invasive species and planting native trees, reducing non-native predators, and supporting mosquito control techniques.
DLNR DOFAW Maui Nui Forestry
Kahului
The DLNR DOFAW Maui Nui Forestry Program is responsible for 9 forest reserves. Some of the work we do focuses on forest resource management and forest protection. There are some days we are camping in remote areas doing projects like out plantings, invasive species eradication, fence construction, and repairs, as well as forest fire mitigation. We also take the opportunity to work alongside the community when possible.
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Molokaʻi
Molokai Affordable Housing Alliance (MAHA)
Hoʻolehua
Molokaʻi Affordable Housing Alliance is a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Organization committed to helping low and moderate income individuals and families on Molokaʻi who are struggling with severe housing instability and food insecurity to maintain a life of dignity through custom high-quality affordable housing solutions, access to nutritious foods, and empowerment training programs to propel them toward economic stability and equanimity.
Napoleon Gentry, LLC
Kahananui
Increasing food security for the island of Molokaʻi through the planting and cultivating of locally grown produce along with native plants and removal of invasive species with a workplace situated in the pristine valley of Kahananui, Molokaʻi.
Hoʻāhu Energy Cooperative Molokaʻi
Kaunakakai
Hoʻāhu Energy Cooperative Molokai (“HECM”) was born out of a grassroots community effort to shape our island’s energy future through community-developed and owned renewable energy projects. Our mission is to produce locally owned, affordable, renewable energy for the benefit of our members, the community, and environment. Our vision is to have 100% of Molokai’s electricity needs met through renewable energy sources that are affordable, sustainable, culturally compatible, and environmentally friendly. Our objectives are sustainability, affordability, resiliency, and Energy Independence/Sovereignty.
Molokaʻi Land Trust
Kulapuʻu
The mission of the Moloka’i Land Trust is to protect and restore the land, natural and cultural resources of Moloka’i, and to perpetuate the unique Native Hawaiian traditions and character of the islands for the benefit of the future generations of all Moloka’i, particularly Native Hawaiians.
Pu'u O Hoku Operations, LLC
Kaunakakai
Pu‘u O Hoku Ranch is a 14,000 acre, family-owned conservation ranch on the east end of Molokai. Our central business is a Retreat Center, supported by a biodynamic farm, apiary and livestock operations. Over the past 30 years, it has been a major ranch goal to maintain the existing facilities with minor development of the property, along with practicing organic farming. We believe that POH, by enriching and preserving the fertile abundance at the east end of Molokai, has a special role to play in striving for a new balance between biodiversity and self-sufficiency by intensified activities such as active and passive restoration that can provide resources for generations to come.
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Oʻahu
DLNR DOFAW Conservation Planning Program for Endangered Species Protection
Honolulu
The mission of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife is to protect, manage, and restore natural and cultural resources in collaboration with the people of Hawaiʻi. We envision a future with thriving native ecosystems and opportunities for the people of Hawaiʻi to engage with nature.
DLNR DOFAW Administrative Office: Info & Education
Honolulu
The Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) at the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) aims to responsibly manage and protect Hawaiʻi’s watersheds, native ecosystems, and cultural resources and provide outdoor recreation and sustainable forest products opportunities while facilitating partnerships, community involvement and education. Our team members engage in a range of exciting and innovative projects, in areas as diverse as agroforestry, watersheds and invasive species, game management, trails and hunting, saving species on the brink of extinction.
DLNR DOFAW Hawaiʻi Invertebrate Program
Kailua/Pearl City
The mission of DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife is to responsibly manage and protect watersheds, native ecosystems, and cultural resources and provide outdoor recreation and sustainable forest products opportunities, while facilitating partnerships, community involvement and education. The goal of this program is to conduct applied conservation and management for rare, threatened and endangered invertebrate species across the state. The goal of this program is to conduct applied conservation and management for rare, threatened and endangered invertebrate species across the state. Projects undertaken to date include lab propagation, field releases and post-release monitoring of the Kamehameha butterfly, orange-black damselfly, yellow-faced bee habitat restoration and rearing of other rare native moth and picture-wing fly species.
DLNR DOFAW Lyon Arboretum Seed Conservation Lab
Mānoa
In the Seed Conservation Lab at Lyon Arboretum, over 31 million seeds are banked from over 15,000 accessions. These accessions represent more than 550 taxa or over 40% of the native Hawaiian flora. Of these, about 60% (313 taxa) are federally listed as threstened or endangered. The Seed Lab partners with the Plant Extinction Prevention Program (PEPP), the Department of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), the National Tropical Botanic Garden (NTBG), the Army Natural Resources Program - Oʻahu (ANRPO), and others to provide for both long-term storage - preservation of genetic diversity - and propagation of plants for restoration efforts. The lab also conducts research on seed characteristics such as storage behavior, longevity, dormancy, and germination.
DLNR DOFAW Snail Extinction Prevention Program
Kailua
The Hawai‘i Snail Extinction Prevention Program (SEPP) is a partnership between the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources-Division of Forestry and Wildlife and the University of Hawai‘i. Our program has ambitious goals of securing rare and endangered snail species through the integration of novel captive rearing methods, on the ground management of wild populations and coordination with partner groups to align rare snail conservation objectives and management techniques across islands and entities.
Harold L. Lyon Arboretum Hawaiian Rare Plant Program Micropropagation Lab
Mānoa
The Hawaiian Rare Plant Program Micropropagation Lab is located in the back of Manoa Valley at the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum, a University of Hawaii research unit. The Micropropagation lab maintains a large collection of Hawaii's most endangered plant taxa in tissue culture.
Hawai'i Executive Collaborative's Climate Coalition
Honolulu
The Hawai'i Executive Collaboration's Climate Coalition is a diverse, multi-sector effort working to accelerate an equitable transition to a climate resilient economy, society, and environment for all Hawaiʻi’s people. The Coalition leverages the influence and collective capacities of organizations statewide to build a foundation on which climate solutions can succeed.
Hawaii State Energy Office - Clean Energy Wayfinders
Various
The Hawaii State Energy Office (HSEO) was established to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean transportation for a resilient clean energy economy. The Clean Energy Wayfinders work in the HSEO's Community engagement and Public Affairs branch and support HSEO's mission. Wayfinders are located in vulnerable and under-resourced communities statewide and work in the intersection of community, state and county government, and the energy industry to help all of Hawaii's community members participate in the clean energy transition.
Hawaiʻi Fish Company
Waialua
Hawaii Fish Company Inc. (HFC) is a family-owned freshwater aquaculture and aquaponics farm and research facility located on the North Shore of Oahu. The company is redeveloping a long-abandoned quarry site into a sustainable farm. Established in 1978, HFC is Hawaii’s longest operating commercial aquaculture farm.
Hui O Hauʻula
Hauʻula
Hui o Hauʻula (HOH) 501c3 Nonprofit was established in 2014. HOH is located in Hauula, a small, rural, coastal community in the Koʻolauloa district. HOH was initiated by the Hauʻula Community Association because of the inequity of services for residents in Koʻolauloa. Many families, children and kupuna are in need of basic services: food, educational, medical/health, social/emotional, mental health, economic, cultural, etc. The Mission of HOH is: to support the health, safety, educational, cultural, environmental, social and economic resilience of Koʻolauloa residents through supporting civic and social engagement, volunteerism and partnerships with local, city, state and federal organizations/ agencies.
Kalahaku Native Plant Restoration Project
Kahaluʻu
Kalahaku Farm is a private 2-acre site in Kahaluʻu on the Windward side of Oʻahu. Since 2016, the farm's Native Plant Restoration Project has been eradicating invasive species and planting native trees, shrubs, and groundcovers as a part of its overall agro-forestry efforts.
Kauluakalana
Kailua
Kauluakalana was founded in 2019 by kamaʻāina of Kailua, those who have been raised by the lands and leaders of their ahupuaʻa to chart and navigate a course leading to kanaka (people) and ʻāina (land) reunited in a relationship that feeds us physically, intellectually, culturally, and spiritually. Traveling in the wake of those who came before, we are committed to ʻāina restoration and education, cultural revitalization, community regeneration, identity reclamation, and the renewal of kuleana in Kailua, one of the most storied ahupuaʻa on Oʻahu.
Remote
Hawaii State Energy Office Clean Energy Wayfinders
Remote & Various Locations
The Hawaii State Energy Office (HSEO) was established to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean transportation for a resilient clean energy economy. HSEO leads statewide energy security and resilience, while catalyzing clean energy independence and decarbonization to achieve 100% clean energy by the year 2045. The Clean Energy Wayfinders work in the HSEO Community Engagement and Public Affairs branch and support HSEO's mission to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean transportation to help achieve a resilient clean energy economy. The Wayfinders are located in vulnerable and under-resourced communities statewide and work in the intersection of community, state and county government, and the energy industry to help all of Hawaii's community members participate in the clean energy transition.
Natural Resource Data Solution Inc. (NRDS)
Remote
Natural Resource Data Solution Inc. (NRDS) is a place-based project management software for agriculture and conservation. We help land managers measure, map, and share their stories and data.