Service Date: February 10, 2015
Malaekahana Beach Campground extends its appreciation to the Kupu CommunityU program for its mission and support to the campgrounds.
1. What will your group do at Malaekahana?
While at Malaekahana Kupu’s CommunityU program will be helping to maintain the watershed that runs from mauka to makai. One of the most important and diverse ecosystems of the watershed is the muli wai, where the freshwater from the streams meets the ocean. CommunityU plans to remove invasive mangrove, which restricts the streams natural drainage and eliminates important habitat for native species.
2. What purpose does it serve?
The CommunityU program simultaneously serves two different purposes, each enriching Hawaii and the communities in which we all reside. The initial benefit is the restoration of the environment that CommunityU interns help to facilitate. The team works 4 days a week at conservation sites throughout the island of Oahu, many of which remain culturally significant. The second benefit aligns with Kupu’s mission to not only restore the land but the people as well, with the CommunityU program fostering positive growth in young adults through service learning opportunities and positive mentorship. By reconnecting our members with the land through culturally based activities, we seek to restore a sense of self that will enable our youth to positively contribute to society.
3. Description of the group conducting the service efforts.
The CommunityU program serves young adults ages 16-24 from a variety of different backgrounds. We’re designed for young adults that are looking for experience and support before entering the workforce, an opportunity to earn their high school diploma through our onsite diploma program, or someone looking to get into the conservation field.
4. Your organization’s goal or mission statement and how this ties into Malaekahana?
Kupu’s Mission Statement: “To empower youth to serve their communities through character-building, service-learning, and environmental stewardship opportunities that encourages integrity (pono) with God (Ke Akua), self and others.”
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, and educational degree achievement and service learning.
5. Any additional information you wish to convey to our web visitors?
The CommunityU program is constantly seeking partnerships that will allow us to better serve our youth. For more information please emails us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
