Kapua Kawelo
Natural Resources Manager
O‘ahu Army Natural Resources Program
Honolulu, HI USA
“We have such an impact on everything around us...more and more people need to build conservation into their lives.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationKapua Kawelo
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
She grew up in a fishing family on O‘ahu; fishing grounded them in how to best use and respect Hawaii’s natural resources.
She was also a member of an organization that visited local archeological sites and led hikes to learn about native plants.
Went to the University of California, Davis, and started out as a pre-med student.
When she discovered the field of botany, it piqued her interest enough that eventually, she switched her major.
The summer after her sophomore year, she took an internship with The Nature Conservancy in Hawaii.
It opened her eyes to the fact that she could make a career out of protecting Hawaii’s native plants and animals.
After graduating, she started working at the O‘ahu Army Natural Resources Program as an intern.
She’s been with the program for over 20 years, rehabilitating O‘ahu’s threatened and endangered plant and animal species.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Natural Resources Manager
I am a biologist working to conserve hundreds of threatened and endangered species in Hawai‘i.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Environment & Nature
Science
Upholding a Cause and Belief
Day to Day
I hike or fly (by helicopter) into a remote site in the Koolau Mountains. I am searching for rare endangered plants. I hike through untouched forest, nearly 100% native and I discover a plant that is extremely rare or that I have never seen before. Along the way I see amazing views, breathe fresh air and work hard physically. At the end of the day, I am tired but fulfilled. I have seen a bit of what Hawaii would have been like before humans arrived.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for college students
Volunteer and get internships. Needs to be the right fit for you and only way to find out is to try it out.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"You can't make a career out of conservation."
Interviewed By
Setting Course
Science, tech, engineering, arts, and math careers in Hawaii
