Now Hiring: Resilient Ahupuaʻa Project Manager
Location: Remote from home office, Hale Hoa ʻĀina Field Office (Kīholo), and other project sites in North Kona, Hawaiʻi
Status: Full-time, 40 hours per week
Salary: $58,000–$65,520 annually, depending on experience
Application Deadline: April 28, 2026
Term: This position is funded through a NOAA cooperative agreement through December 2027, with approximately two years remaining. Extension is possible subject to agency approval. Continuation beyond the award period is not guaranteed.
About Hui Aloha Kīholo
Hui Aloha Kīholo was founded in 2007 with the mission to protect, perpetuate, and enhance the cultural and natural landscape of the Kīholo Bay area through collaborative management and active community stewardship. With a passionate group of staff, partners, community members, and volunteers, we strive to keep the Kīholo Bay area thriving and perpetuate the knowledge and traditions of Puʻuwaʻawaʻa and Puʻuanahulu ahupuaʻa. Our vision is a thriving cultural and natural landscape inspiring pono connection between people and place. As our organization grows, we are deepening our collaboration and coordination across the ahupuaʻa, from ma uka to ma kai.
Position Summary
The Resilient Ahupuaʻa Project Manager is responsible for the successful delivery of Hui Aloha Kīholoʼs $2.2 million, three-year federal cooperative agreement with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Tribes and Underserved Communities program. In this role, you will lead and support enriching activities across the ahupuaʻa of Puʻuwaʻawaʻa and Puʻuanahulu, including participatory planning, habitat restoration, and community engagement. This position bridges grant management with on-the-ground coordination, connecting the voices and work of field staff, contractors, cultural practitioners, and community members into a cohesive project that advances the organization’s mission. The Resilient Ahupuaʻa Project Manager reports to the Director of Finance & Operations and works closely with a dedicated team of staff committed to the stewardship of Puʻuwaʻawaʻa and Puʻuanahulu. The ideal candidate will bring strong grant management skills, a genuine commitment to kuleana for ʻāina and community, and the ability to work collaboratively within a team rooted in aloha.
Key Responsibilities
NOAA Cooperative Agreement Management and Reporting
Lead project implementation and evaluation for the NOAA cooperative agreement.
Coordinate with staff and contractors responsible for project deliverables, ensuring timely and high-quality completion.
Lead grant administration in compliance with 2 CFR 200, including budget tracking and documentation, with support from the Director of Finance & Operations and Administrative Assistant for financial recordkeeping and accounting systems.
Manage data collection systems to ensure quality control and generate reports for internal and external audiences.
Lead on grant reporting, including excellent communication with team members and knowledge holders to secure input well in advance of reporting deadlines.
Manage waivers, photos, and documents appropriately, including sensitive information.
Community Engagement and Participatory Planning
Lead the Ahupuaʻa Resilience Strategy Consultation, a participatory planning process to engage rights holders, stakeholders, and partners in identifying and prioritizing landscape-scale actions.
Build and strengthen community and stakeholder relationships across the ahupuaʻa, working closely with the Community Outreach Coordinator to ensure deep, respectful, and inclusive engagement.
Identify funding opportunities and partnerships that align with the priority strategies developed through the Ahupuaʻa Resilience Strategy Consultation, and support proposal development in coordination with the Director of Finance & Operations to ensure the impacts of this project are sustained beyond the grant period.
Represent Hui Aloha Kīholo at conferences, partner site visits, and in local and statewide networks to share lessons learned and strengthen relationships.
Project Coordination and Support
Coordinate aquatic habitat restoration activities, including fishpond and anchialine pool restoration, led by the Hoa ʻĀina Loko Coordinator and project contractors.
Support the planning and implementation of community workshops, camps, volunteer restoration events, and learning exchanges with partner communities.
Qualifications
Required
Bachelorʼs degree or equivalent work experience in a field relevant to managing grants for education, stewardship, conservation, and/or trans-disciplinary science.
At least 3 years of experience managing federal grants or cooperative agreements, including at least one award of $500,000 or more.
Demonstrated experience with federal grant compliance requirements, including budget tracking, financial reporting, and documentation under 2 CFR 200 or equivalent federal regulations.
Experience coordinating multiple contractors, partners, or project teams toward shared deliverables.
Experience leading or co-leading community engagement, participatory planning, or stakeholder facilitation.
Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build trust with diverse community members and present to agency and funder audiences.
Experience managing data collection systems or environmental monitoring programs.
Ability to work from home and travel regularly to the Kīholo Hale Hoa ʻĀina field office and other project sites on Hawaiʻi Island.
Valid Driverʼs License.
Preferred
Experience working in or with Native Hawaiian, Indigenous, or place-based community organizations.
Experience working with County, State, and Federal agencies, Foundations, and organizations that support mālama ʻāina stewardship and education in Hawaiʻi.
Experience engaging with Native Hawaiian communities or Indigenous knowledge holders in planning or resource management processes.
Knowledge of coastal, fishpond, anchialine pool, or nearshore marine ecosystems.
Familiarity with Hawaiian language.
Proficiency with project management tools and data management systems.
Benefits
Hui Aloha Kīholo offers a competitive benefits package including employer-paid healthcare (medical, dental, and vision) with partial employer contribution toward dependent coverage, paid time off, retirement savings plan, computer and equipment, mileage reimbursement, and opportunities for professional development.
To Apply
To apply please email a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to admin@kiholo.org.
In your cover letter, please briefly address the following:
Why do you want to work with Hui Aloha Kīholo?
Briefly describe a federal grant or cooperative agreement you have managed, including the award size, your role, and how you ensured compliance with reporting and documentation requirements.
How have you approached building relationships and trust with community members in a new place or with a new organization?
Please also submit a writing sample of no more than two pages. Examples include:
An excerpt from a grant report, project summary, or community-facing document from your previous work.
A fictional progress update to a federal funder summarizing community engagement activities and project milestones for a coastal restoration project.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.
If you have questions about this position, please contact admin@kiholo.org before submitting your application.
Mahalo for your interest in joining the Hui Aloha Kīholo team!