Apprenticeships

Introduction

The mission of the Ola Honua Project is to reforest the land with native plants and trees and with a mix of high quality exotic tropical timber species. Concurrent with the above goal is to create a economically viable agricultural venture that provides the funds needed to accomplish the main mission. Lastly is the goal of building a community of individuals living on the land dedicated to the mission and supported by their efforts to work the land. We are committed to doing all this organically.

We have been working toward the above mission for ten years and have developed strategies and methods that are accomplishing our goals. We have cleared and planted over 60 acres and the maintenance of these plantings is now a major task for us. We have eliminated the need for heavy machinery in these plots and thus accomplish the work by hand. We are weeding until the trees are above the existing grasses and we are cutting out the re-sprouting weed tree species while the grass mat is still substantial thus preventing new sprouts from emerging.

Our economic engine is a 20 acre timber bamboo plantation of non-invasive clumping bamboos now just beginning to yield 2-3 inch diameter quality bamboo poles. We spend lots of time in the bamboo managing the clumps and harvesting the poles. We have a simple on-site treatment system for the bamboo. There are 13 species of bamboo in the plantation that will provide differing diameters of poles as well as some tasty bamboo shoots for market. We also have a 'bamboo for the landscape' nursery that produces plants for the islands. This is a production nursery propagating and selling thousands of plants each year.

The staff is a core of dedicated and highly experienced plant and farm folks who bring enthusiasm, dedication and drive to the project. The on-site housing encourages long-term participation and provides plenty of land for gardening. The fruit orchards are extensive and many of the trees are 10 years old and bearing nicely. We remain committed to eating what the land provides and here we are lucky as the land is laden with fruit and food.

Apprenticeship Program

Our Apprenticeship Program is an essential part of our project. We strive to educate and inspire responsible and restorative land stewardship, and to offer apprentices the tools, insights, and experience needed to move on and succeed in their own agriculture and restoration adventures. Our program fully immerses apprentices in the work of our 175 acre farm. Apprentices must be physically fit. For 26 hours a week, you will work with us maintaining bamboo, timber plantings and young native forests, working in the nursery, the garden, the orchards, and doing other miscellaneous farm tasks. There is also a weekly study/discussion time to assimilate what we've been learning in the field, explore some different agricultural science and philosophy, and share each others knowledge in a collective learning environment. Our work schedule is dynamic and changes frequently, but an average week's schedule might look like this:

Every other month we do community workdays in the greater East Maui area. There is a month-long trial period at the start, to see that the program is right for you and you are right for the program. Apprentices make a one year commitment (exceptions are sometimes made for native Hawaiian or international students). Housing and food is provided, and food from the land is abundant.

More about the project

To apply

Apprentices are accepted as space is available. Preferences are given to those with prior farming experience and those already living in the Hawaiian Islands though these are not requirements. To inquire about the Apprenticeship Program, contact Seth Raabe, Apprentice Coordinator, at sethraabe@gmail.com. A resume with references is a good way to get your foot in the door.