There’s an old saying: “If you plan for a year, plant kalo. If you plan for 10 years, plant koa. If you plan for 100 years, teach the children.”

Over the past 10 years, our nonprofit, Kupu, has planted countless native species to restore our forests, and removed acres of invasive species that harm our ecosystems. And the exciting thing is that we were able to to accomplish all of this by empowering the next generation, engaging more than 3,250 youth in our conservation and sustainability programs.

With the help of more than 150 partner sites throughout the state and Pacific, we have affected real change together. Weʻve created a nexus for green jobs sectors, government and businesses, creating more hands-on, job-training opportunities to build up our youth and positively impact the ‘aina.

Kupu’s programs provide a variety of in-depth experience from removing invasive plants on Kahoolawe, mitigating rapid ohia death on Hawaii island, impacting climate change in American Samoa or creating energy-saving solutions statewide, to name a few.

In today’s changing world, there are many challenges, not just within our environment, but within society. According to this year’s “County Health Rankings & Roadmaps” report by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, there are 4.9 million (1 of 8) “disconnected youth” nationwide, who are 16-24 years old and not in school or working, that represent an “untapped potential to strengthen the social and economic vibrancy of local communities.”

One of our many programs serves this segment of youth who may have dropped out of school, struggle with poverty, homelessness, substance abuse or even crime. Lacking the necessary resources or support to thrive and succeed, our community program provides basic needs, guidance and sense of place to help them discover their potential, elevate their purpose, and encourage them on their own journeys through meaningful service.

Last month, six youth who had dropped out of school graduated from this program with their alternative high school diplomas, and obtained a job or enrolled in higher education.

Each success story is different, whether it’s the participant referred by the court system, living off the street after serving time, who went on to become a job supervisor; or the bright young girl, unmotivated in traditional classrooms, who earned her diploma and applied to college at 16.

We are seeing dramatic impacts across the state with all of our programs. A multitude of conservation agencies and sustainability companies have employed Kupu alumni, strengthening and growing Hawaii with the next generation of local leaders.

The most gratifying and long-term benefits for our environment, communities and economy comes from empowering our youth with a heart to serve, a sense of kuleana or responsibility, and the motivation to succeed.

As tomorrow’s environmental stewards and community or business leaders, our youth will be the ones to continue our work, and develop a more resilient and sustainable Hawaii. Restoration of our landscape and our communities, starts with restoration of our youth.

This is a shared responsibility, and everyone from keiki to kupuna can get involved. We welcome you to join us at community service days, participate in our conservation or sustainability programs, or partner with our programs in other meaningful ways.

We need to continue to work together to restore the world around us. When we create hope and purpose in Hawaii’s youth, positive change becomes contagious. An inspired and empowered next generation of leaders can create a domino effect that results in healthier ecosystems, stronger communities and a better Hawaii for tomorrow.

John Leong is CEO of Kupu, a nonprofit that empowers and trains youth to be environmental and cultural stewards.