Kupu has announced the results of the Kupu Aina Corps workforce development program, West Hawaii Today reported.
The program was created in 2020 to address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the local economy.
“We’re pleased at the outcome of the program, which started out as a proactive response to community need and an effort to revitalize our state’s economy that was adversely affected by COVID-19,” said John Leong, Kupu’s CEO. “This program got people working in meaningful jobs, supported businesses, farmers and non-profit organizations in agriculture and conservation, and it was economically impactful for our state. Overall, hope and aloha were deployed into our community through everyone who supported Kupu Aina Corps, including our local and federal government, partner sites, staff and those who participated in the program. We’re hoping to continue to sustain this after 2020 and are looking forward to other community partnerships that will help make this possible.”
According to the press release, the Kupu Aina Corps cared for over 21,000 acres in Hawaii by removing invasive species, planting native plants and clearing debris.