Kākoʻo Connections

Participant Application Form

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Kākoʻo Connections program supports Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island based Department of Education (DOE) high school students and recent graduates by facilitating professional connections in the fields of natural resources and environmental conservation. Participants visit post-secondary institutions and natural resource or environmental conservation organizations, engage in mālama ʻāina (caring for the land), practice job readiness skills, and receive higher education preparation advice.

Program Details:

Applicants must be an Oʻahu or Hawaiʻi island student in grades 11 or 12, or be a recent high school graduate.

Participants are eligible to receive a $595 stipend upon successful completion of all program requirements.

Participants will be flying between Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island with Kupu staff. Anyone under 18 will require permission from their parent/legal guardian.

Program Dates:

Two Week Summer Session: Monday 6/03/24 - Friday 6/14/24

Kākoʻo Connections ʻOhana Night:

At the end of the program, each participant's family is invited to join us for a free event to learn about how to get involved in the program, and how to best support their child's college and career pursuits in Hawaiʻi's natural resources management sector. More information about this event will be provided upon acceptance into the program.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

1. Click "Next Page" to continue. You can save your application and return to it later using the "Save my progress" link at the top or bottom of any page.

2. When finished, click "Submit". You will need to complete your electronic signature on the Final Review page, and then verify it via an emailed link.

3. After you have finished, your educator reference will automatically receive an email with a link to complete their reference form. We advise you to submit your application early in order to give your reference time to submit their form.

4. Email Kupu at jordan.nakamura@kupuhawaii.org to confirm that all parts of your application, including the educator reference form, have been received.

5. After application and reference forms are completed and submitted, applicants will be considered to move on to the interview portion of the process. Kupu staff will contact applicants selected to be interviewed via email.

Your application will be considered incomplete until all parts have been received. If you have any questions, please email jordan.nakamura@kupuhawaii.org.

I certify that I have read and understood the criteria and requirements.

(Applicant's Initials)

Deadline to apply is Friday, May 10.

The Summer 2024 session is limited to 18 spots.

Applicants will be considered based on their application responses, as well as an interview.

Contact Information

Legal First Name

Legal Last Name

Middle Name

Preferred Name (optional)

Personal Email Address

*Ensure you have entered this email address correctly! Do not use a parent/guardian/sibling's email address.

Primary Phone Number

Primary Phone Number Type

Secondary Phone Number

Secondary Phone Number Type

Mailing Address (Line 1)

Mailing Address (Line 2, if applicable)

City

State

Zip Code

Country

Permanent Home Address (Line 1, enter only if different from Mailing Address above)

Permanent Home Address (Line 2, if applicable)

City

State

Zip Code

Country

Applicant Details

Date of Birth

Do you have Native Hawaiian and/or other Pacific Islander ancestry (e.g., Samoan, Guamanian, Tongan, Marshallese)? Check all that apply.

Yes, I have Native Hawaiian ancestry.Yes, I have Pacific Islander (e.g., Samoan, Guamanian, Tongan, Marshallese) ancestry.NoI'm not surePrefer not to answer

What is your current grade level?

Write the name of your current/most recently attended high school:

Are you currently enrolled in a specific area of study at your high school (e.g., an academy or pathway)? If so, please include the name of the academy, pathway, or area of study and a brief description below. Write "N/A" if this does not apply to you.

Example name: Academy of Natural Resources, Food Systems Pathway

Example description: I have been taking courses in the marine science learning center with Ms. Hoppe for two years.

What area of study are you most interested in pursuing or majoring in after high school (e.g., Marine Science, ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi/Hawaiian Language, Biology, Sustainable and Organic Agriculture)?

Referral Source

How did you hear about this opportunity?

Please provide additional details on how you heard about this opportunity (i.e., newspaper name, specific career fair, specific website). If you heard from a person, please share his or her name.

Short Answer Questions

These questions assist Kupu with gaining a deeper perspective about you. Your answers should not exceed one paragraph.

1. Why do you want to participate in Kākoʻo Connections? What do you want to get out of this program (as it relates to your goals after high school)?

2. Kākoʻo Connections is a two week-long program that involves visiting colleges, engaging with natural resources professionals, doing mālama ʻāina (care for the land) service work, and completing job readiness activities. Please describe the characteristics and skills you have that will help you successfully complete all program requirements.

3. Is there anything which could hinder your successful completion of this program by the end of the two week period (June 14, 2024)? If yes, please explain (e.g., a job, family needs, transportation).

Educator Reference

Important: Your application will be considered incomplete until we have received ALL of your application components, including the educator reference form. It is your responsibility to check with Kupu staff if your reference form has been submitted.

Guidelines for selecting a reference: Use a teacher, academic counselor or Kupu Environmental Education Leader. The reference you list cannot be yourself, your family, or friends! The individual should be able to speak to your personal and professional attributes. Misspelling or putting the wrong email address may significantly delay your application. Please check that you have entered them correctly.

To check the status of your reference form, please contact jordan.nakamura@kupuhawaii.org.

Reference's Full Name

Reference's Phone Number

Reference's Email Address

*Ensure you have entered this email address correctly!

Please Read Before Signing

I understand and confirm that, if selected...

1. I must be available Monday through Friday 8am - 5pm during the program term and respond to communication outside of those hours as necessary.

(Applicant's Initials)

2. I must be able to safely perform the physical and mental activities in the program which may include, but are not limited to hiking, working in a garden and working in marine environments.

(Applicant's Initials)

3. I must complete and submit an IRS Form W-9 before the start of the program in order to receive my stipend. Please click the link to see the content required in the W-9 form.

(Applicant's Initials)

4. I acknowledge that I must complete ALL program requirements in order to receive the program stipend.

(Applicant's Initials)

I am at least 18 years of age and therefore do not need a parent or legal guardian's permission to submit this application and participate in this program.

Yes, I am 18 or olderNo, I am not 18 years old

Since you are under 18, you must inform your parent or legal guardian that you have applied to this program BEFORE you submit your application AND get their permission. You must also provide their contact information below.

Full Name of Parent or Legal Guardian

Relationship to the Applicant

Parent or Legal Guardian's Phone Number

Parent or Legal Guardian's Email Address

*Ensure you have entered this email address correctly!

5. Applicable only if under 18: I must get my parent or legal guardian's permission to fly with Kupu staff, and fill out a provided flight permission form in order to participate in the Kāko'o Connections program.

(Applicant's Initials)

I certify that my statements in this application are true and correct to the best of my knowledge.

(Applicant's Initials)

In accordance with Federal Law, Kupu is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Qualified applicants with disabilities who can perform the essential functions of the position are encouraged to apply. Kupu is committed to making reasonable accommodations on a case-by-case basis. To become more sustainable, Kupu will send digital notifications regarding your application status. If you prefer physical copies, please contact us.

Contact Information

Kākoʻo Connections Participant Application Form

Kākoʻo Connections

Participant Application Form