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Educational Programs for Agriculture
The Agriculture Intelligence Pre-Apprenticeship Program
At Kahua Paʻa Mua, AI stands for Agriculture Intelligence. Our Agriculture Intelligence Pre-Apprenticeship Program is a hands-on internship in North Kohala that prepares young people for careers in agriculture and the trades that support it.
Interns work on the farm each week alongside Mentor and Agriculture Leader David Fuertes, our founder and a former agriculture teacher. They also attend workshops and classes that connect what they do on the land with formal training.
What Interns Learn
The program builds the range of skills it takes to keep a working farm running:
On the farm: crop production, animal care, irrigation, and Korean Natural Farming
In the shop: welding, carpentry and construction, diesel mechanics, and small equipment repair and maintenance
For any career: computer basics, solid work habits, and a willingness to learn
Cohort 2 interns are also scheduled to complete a Korean Natural Farming Certification Course and, in December 2026, Hawaiʻi Community College courses in diesel engine safety, repair, and maintenance, carpentry, and welding safety.
Where Interns Go Next
Interns who completed the program’s first cohort have gone on to finish their final semester of college, attend school for diesel mechanics and welding, and start jobs with our recommendation.
Building Toward an Apprenticeship
The program is also helping shape a Registered Apprenticeship Program in agriculture. Working with Vibrant Hawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi Community College, we aim to connect hands-on farm training with college coursework, dual-credit opportunities, and industry-recognized skills.
Get Involved
Interested in joining? Contact David directly (808) 896-0566 or email us through our contact page.
Welding, carpentry and construction, diesel mechanics, and small equipment repair and maintenance
Animal production and processing
Crop production
