About IWIKUA

Iwikua serves as an educational and cultural resource for wellness through sustainable food production, physical fitness, and exchange programs to benefit west Kauaʻi community and future generations. Their mission is to develop Kamaʻāina by empowering current and future generations to be culturally centered life-long learners and fulfill active roles in the community as teachers, leaders, and farmers.

Iwikua provides wellness through four main areas:

• Food and Nutrition – In partnership with Waimea High School, production of food and education about farming practices, combining traditional and modern techniques. 
• Physical Fitness – Utilizing the space at Makana Training Center to reconnect student athletes and adult community members to fitness training to achieve health.
• Cultural Education and Enrichment – Reconnecting community members to cultural practices relating to all aspects of wellness – spiritual and physical – to strengthen ourselves and our future generations.
• Community Support – Providing camps and exchange programs for youth participants to build upon their cultural experiences and make connections abroad, as well as opportunities for community members to engage in culturally-rooted events.

Meet Our Internship Mentor: Joshua Dean Iokua Ikaika Loa Mori

Joshua Dean Iokua Ikaikaloa Mori lives and works on Kaua’i in the moku of Kona, ahupua’a of Waimea, with his wife and three children. He is the founder and Executive Director of Iwikua and is passionate about Hawaiian culture and restorative agriculture.

Internship duties and responsibilities:

• Assist in the production of lettuce, including seeding, harvesting, and packaging.
• General farm labor including construction and maintenance.
• Operations and maintenance of the aquaponics system.
• General upkeep of Iwikua facilities.

Interns should comfortable and able to:

• Work in a group setting.
• Be willing to work outdoors, in any weather conditions.
• Be proficient in Hawaiian counting and measurement (or be willing to learn).
• Do physical labor.

2025 Internship Schedule:

• Spring 2025: TBD
• Summer 2025: TBD

*Schedules are tentative and are subject to change. Interns will be required to work 40 hours in the Summer 2025. 

Internship Meeting Locations:

Na Mahi Ho’oko A’e – farm worksite at Waimea High School
9707 Tsuchiya Rd.
Waimea, HI 96796