Page 7 - MidWeek West - March 3, 2021

Kupu ‘Āina Corps Supports Hawai‘i’s Unemployed Workers
When the effects of COVID-19 began to take a toll on Hawaiʻi’s economy, nonprofit Kupu stepped in to help. Through its program Kupu ʻĀina Corps, the non- profit estimates that partici- pants boosted the local econ- omy by $6.5 million.
removing invasive species, planting native plants, clear- ing debris and more.
“We’re pleased at the out- come of the program, which started out as a proactive re- sponse to community need and an effort to revitalize our state’s economy that was adversely affected by COVID-19,” states CEO John Leong. “This program got people working in mean- ingful jobs, supported busi- nesses, farmers and nonprofit organizations in agriculture and conservation, and it was economically impactful for our state. Overall, hope and aloha were deployed into our community through ev- eryone who supported Kupu ‘Āina Corps, including our local and federal govern- ment, partner sites, staff and
those who participated in the program. We’re hoping to continue to sustain this ... and are looking forward to other community partner- ships that will help make this possible.”
From September to De- cember of last year, Kupu joined forces with the state to utilize CARES Act funds to provide work and train- ing for unemployed workers and recent graduates. More than 350 people participated at 150 host sites across the state, and 1 in 3 people were able to keep the position once funds were no longer available.
Among those who partic- ipated in the initiative was Mariah Liʻawahine Haʻo, a 27-year-old who previ-
“Spiritually, I connected myself to the wahi pana of Waipiʻo and feel extremely blessed as a kanaka to have that opportunity,” states Haʻo. “This experience has affirmed my change in ca- reer. I’ve worked in tourism for most of my adult life
For more information about Kupu and its pro- grams, visit kupuhawaii.org.
ously worked for a Waikīkī hotel. She joined Pohaha I Ka Lani, a Native Hawaiian nonprofit based in Waipiʻo Valley. While there, Haʻo cleared Guinea grass, re- moved invasive plants from choking out native species, planted various native trees, tended to various overgrown loʻi kalo, and learned differ-
AARP Hawai‘i, Windward CC Host Cooking Webinar
MARCH 3, 2021 7
ent styles for mulching and propagating plants.
but this has made me re- dedicate myself to ʻāina. A major lesson I’ve learned is true perseverance. Person- ally, it has been a difficult few months,and this job has helped me establish different levels of steadfastness.”
The program also contrib- uted to ecological benefits on over 21,000 acres of land by
Registration for the event is required and participants will receive an email
Swift will offer live instruction for the following themes: Mexican and Korean rice bowls (March 4), cooking with fresh herbs (March 11), butch- ery lesson: beef ribs (March 18), and seared ʻahi (March 25).
For more information, visit aarp.org/ hi. To register, visit aarp.cvent.com/ hicooking.
Despite being on the other side of the island, West Oʻahu residents can tune into a cooking webinar with Windward Community College ʻUala Leaf Café chef Daniel Swift. Organized by AARP Hawaiʻi, the program takes place on- line at 5 p.m. each Thursday in March, beginning tomorrow (March 4).
of the recipe in advance to prepare ahead of time.
and the recipes are written so that any home cook can prepare them,” states Jackie Boland, AARP Hawaiʻi out- reach director. “Participants are able to ask questions of chef Swift and are en- couraged to modify the recipes to suit their personal taste.”
“The dishes featured in the cook- ing series are fast, healthy and ‘ono,
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