JOB SUMMARY

The Media Relations & Webmaster position is responsible for shaping and managing HKN’s public presence, ensuring accurate representation through digital platforms, publications, and outreach efforts. This role will oversee website development and educational content expansion while integrating e-commerce and permitting new functions for HKN. The Media Relations & Webmaster will also be responsible for managing press relations, securing publications, and developing marketing materials to support HKN’s mission.

This position requires a proactive individual who understands non-profit communications, public engagement, and digital strategy. The ideal candidate will be able to collaborate on cultural protocol initiatives, manage web content, and enhance HKN’s visibility across various media channels.

HKN operates on a hybrid schedule with in-person work in South Kona, Hawaiʻi, and occasional travel may be required.

WHO IS HKN?

Hoʻāla Kealakekua Nui (HKN) is a Native Hawaiian-driven nonprofit corporation committed to preserving and maintaining the natural, cultural, and spiritual significance of the Kealakekua Region. HKN works with community stakeholders, educators, and government agencies to ensure Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park and the Village of Nāpoʻopoʻo remain in balance with the land, residents, and visitors.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Media & Public Relations

• Develop and implement public relations strategies to enhance HKN’s visibility to foster relationships with media and community partners.
• Manage media relations, secure press coverage, and coordinate interviews that highlight HKN’s efforts in cultural preservation, ecological stewardship, and the protection of the wahi pana.
• Create and distribute press releases, articles, and promotional materials that align with kumu kānāwai, ensuring that storytelling reflects the deep interconnection between land, people, and culture.
• Ensure consistent branding and messaging across all communication platforms to reinforce HKN’s mission and vision.
• Develop marketing content that supports fundraising and outreach initiatives while educating the public on the historical and cultural significance of Kealakekua Bay.

Website Development & Management

• Oversee the expansion and maintenance of HKN’s website to serve as a digital hub for education, cultural preservation, and resource accessibility.
• Develop and integrate educational sections – specific cultural protocols for schools, interns, and researchers, ensuring they engage responsibly.
• Manage e-commerce functionality, permitting applications, and digital fundraising tools to support HKN’s sustainability and community-driven initiatives.
• Ensure website accessibility, security, and compliance with best practices, integrating kumu kānāwai perspectives to reflect the holistic stewardship of Kealakekua Bay.

Content & Educational Outreach

• Collaborate with internal teams and cultural advisors to curate and publish educational materials that align with aloha ʻāina to honor the interconnectedness of natural and cultural resources.
• Create digital content that aligns with HKN’s mission, engaging diverse audiences with knowledge that fosters an understanding of wahi pana and traditional ecological knowledge.
• Support the development of digital resources for students, educators, and researchers, ensuring that the materials reflect a deep respect for place-based learning and kumu kānāwai.

Digital Strategy & Community Engagement

• Enhance HKN’s online presence through strategic digital marketing efforts that amplify aloha ʻāina and connect audiences to HKN’s conservation and cultural restoration work.
• Collaborate with the social media manager to ensure that digital content aligns with HKN’s vision, particularly in highlighting educational initiatives.
• Analyze website and social media metrics to optimize engagement and refine strategies for audience growth and cultural education.
• Develop multimedia content, including videos, blogs, and interactive materials, that reinforce kumu kānāwai principles and help communicate HKN’s stewardship of Kealakekua Bay.

General & Administrative Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Executive Director and team members to align media and outreach efforts with organizational goals.
• Coordinate with external partners, agencies, and sponsors to amplify HKN’s initiatives.
• Provide training and guidance on digital tools and communication strategies.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission and vision of HKN.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Be at least 16 years of age. In compliance with labor laws, anyone under 18 will require a workerʻs permit and parental permission.
  • U.S. and Hawaii Labor Law Guide
• Work full-time for a minimum of 35 hours and 40 hours per week.
• Must be able to work in a hybrid atmosphere: telework from computer and in person
• Must have reliable transportation for on and off site work.
• Must have reliable access to internet connection. 
• Able to read, write, speak, articulate, and comprehend standard English.
  • Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Possess some cultural knowledge and are willing to learn and perform place-based cultural protocols. 
• Strong research, analytical, and data collection skills.
• Public speaking skills
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Communications, Digital Media, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field.
• Experience in media relations, journalism, or nonprofit communications.
• Proficiency in website management platforms (e.g., WordPress, Squarespace).
• Familiarity with SEO, digital analytics, and online marketing strategies.
• Basic knowledge of e-commerce and digital fundraising platforms.
• Experience with social media management and digital content creation.
• Strong understanding of Native Hawaiian cultural values and community engagement.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Access to a computer, reliable internet connection, and necessary software tools.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in a nonprofit or cultural preservation setting.
• Graphic design and multimedia production skills.
• Knowledge of fundraising strategies.
• Familiarity with CRM systems and email marketing platforms.

BENEFITS

HKN offers a competitive benefits package, including:

• Paid time off (PTO)
• 11 paid holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401K retirement plan

How to Apply

Submit your resume and relevant work samples to akoni@kealakekua.org, with “Media Relations & Webmaster Application” in the subject line. The deadline is February 17th, 2025.

We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

GLOSSARY

Wahi pana: In Hawaiʻi, these may include burial or birth sites, war temples or places of healing, battlegrounds or water sources, the sites of legends, or the homes of the legendary.  Most sacred areas are called wahi pana. (HPPA. What is a Wahi Pana, blog. Aug. 2024) 

Aloha ʻĀina:  A concept that promotes reciprocity in building a relationship within an ecosystem.  To express Aloha is the ability to recognize the giving and receiving of aloha.  (Papakū Makawalu – Akua, Kanahele, P., Ph.D., 2024)

Kumu Kānāwai: A Native Hawaiian cosmovision that includes natural phenomena as part of the socio-ecological world of relationships in which all are intimately connected; an island point of view or consciousness in approaching stewardship.  (Kumu Kānāwai, Hawaiʻi Islandʻs Environmental Kindship, Kanahele, P., Ph.D., and Wong-Wilson, Noe Noe, Ph.D., Mauna Kea Working Group 10/17/2021, total pages, 3.)

REFERENCES

An Introduction to the Hoaʻāina and Their Rights; McGregor, Davianna; 27 pages; pdf

Conservation Research, Policy and Practice; edited by, Sutherland, W., Brotherton, P., Davies, Z., Ockendon, N., Pettoreli, N, and Vickery, J., Cambridge University Press Online, DOI.org, British Ecological Society; 336 pages.