HAWAII ~ Intern Options

Choose from one of three exciting internships while in Hawaii.

Rainforest Restoration Internship/Hawaii

Location
This internship is located in a National Wildlife Refuge that spans an elevation level from 3,900 to 7,200 feet above sea level, and as such, is a key area for the restoration of pre-montane and montane rainforest habitats, both of which are scarce on a global scale. Wildlife protected within this refuge include: akiapola'au, Hawaiian akepa, Hawaiian creeper, Hawaiian hawk, ou, Hawaiian hoary bat, amakihi, Hawaiian thrush, elepaio, 'i'iwi, and apapane. All of these species and more are represented within this 32,000-acre expanse of forest and recovering forest. The forest itself is comprised of some of Hawaii's last remaining stands of koa and ohi'a, and you will play a significant role in advancing the recovery of this beautiful landscape. A local guidebook states: "the refuge is very beautiful, a diamond in the rough, and encompasses an incredible rainforest like few on the Big Island". (Bisignani, 1999)

Duration
The greenhouse keeper works four days per week on the mountain (Friday through Monday). As such, your work schedule will roughly parallel that of Baron Horiuchi. Occasionally, a university researcher works on the mountain collecting data on endangered birds. If the timing is right, there may be an opportunity to assist her with her research during your down days. This is something that she is unable to plan months in advance, but will be an added treat should she be able to accommodate you. You should expect to devote four days a week to the reforestation effort. The three days in-between will be spent either in Hilo as days off, with the bird researcher collecting data and samples, or further exploring the Big Island. This internship requires a maturity of participants to be able to entertain themselves during down times and in remote locales.

Accommodations
Accommodations on the refuge are dormitory style. There is running water and hot showers. Conservation of this resource applies as well. While at the refuge, you will stay in one of two lodges, depending upon availability. The two lodges are just ten minutes on foot from one to the other, and are operated by the Fish and Wildlife Service and the University of Hawaii, respectively. Accommodations in the lodges are on the nicer side of basic, with beds, stoves, refrigerators, etc. Your nights in Hilo will be spent at the Wild Ginger Lodge. Enjoying some time off with Green Sea Turtles

Job Description
The particular tasks associated with this internship will vary from day to day. Activities may include work within the greenhouse, removing weeds (liverwort) from seedlings, fertilizing, transplanting, etc. Follow the course of particular plants as you care for them in the greenhouse, and then go out into the field to plant them in the ground. Hundreds of seedlings can be planted in a single day with your energetic assistance, and many of these seedlings may be of the famed koa tree. Planting of the ohi'a seedlings may involve some experimentation as well, to determine the most ideal elevations and micro-climatic conditions within which the species will thrive. Other activities may include the eradication of banana poka-a non-native creeper that strangles native trees.--collection of seeds to be planted at a later date, cleaning and preparation of equipment used in planting and eradication, transplanting of potted membranes to the wild, adding mulch to seedlings, locating planting sites, preparing plantings with augur drills for larger seedlings, etc. Weather is a factor that limits or enables the amount of work that is able to be accomplished in a single day. Planting days and days spent eradicating banana poka or similar pests can be physically demanding, but the feeling of satisfaction at the end of the day will more than compensate for the energy utilized. Previous interns have indicated that evenings socializing in the dorm were among the highlights of their experience.

Children's Advocacy / Hilo

Job Description
Previous interns have focused their efforts mainly on the activities for children, though opportunities exist for performing a wide range of tasks. There will be periods when the internship feels like child-minding, given that you are working with such young children. The dedicated directors of the program will often remind you, though, that small steps here can make a world of difference. In many cases it is human connections that touch the children most. The staff will assign you job duties that best serve the organization. In the past, this has included assisting during story hour, library outreach, playing games with children to increase their motor skills, assistance with computer learning programs, answering phones and a variety of other tasks. Interns should expect to put in approximately twenty-five hours per week.

Accommodations
Accommodations will be dormitory-style with 1-2 other persons.

Marine Biology: Marine Mammal Internship

During this internship you will learn about the conservation of marine ecosystems, with a focus on two or more of the following: dolphins, turtles, whales (seasonal), and reef environments of Hawaii. The season you arrive will partially determine your subject matter. Our fall program focuses primarily on dolphins and turtles. Our spring semester may have a whale component. You will spend time on the Big Island and possibly Oahu. Use your field knowledge in identification practice. Also, learn about characteristics, adaptations, and current issues surrounding other marine mammals common to Hawaiian waters, including spinner dolphins and Hawaiian monk seals. The program features some rather intensive lectures by a university researcher. And, there is training in current research techniques used to collect data needed for marine conservation.

Research on dolphins will include the use of a theodolite: an instrument used from the shoreline to pinpoint the location of dolphin populations in the surrounding bay. From the shoreline, you will map out the behavior patterns and the reactions/relationships of humans and their impact on these magnificent mammals. As previous data points to some negative effects of humans swimming or boating near dolphins, it is important that you keep a professional distance and remain on the shoreline while conducting research. The students who have enjoyed this project the most are those who understand the reality of scientific research: it can be hard, repetitive, time consuming, and sometimes frustrating. It can also yield new and important knowledge on dolphin behavior and human impacts on wild populations. Persons who enjoy being in the out-of-doors and working on Hawaiian beaches have also applauded this option.

Please be aware that you will be adopting a "hands off" policy with these wild populations. We do not deal with animals in captivity, there is no animal petting or kissing of dolphins. It is illegal to come within 50 yards of wild dolphins and whales. And those who gain special permits to do so are often times harassing the dolphins for their own monetary, emotional, or academic gain. There are other organizations for you to consider if you want to be standing in a reflecting pool with a captive dolphin. Our goal is to collect data to help oceanographers and management agencies establish policies to promote marine mammal protection in our bays and inlets. We are extremely proud of this opportunity and the data our students are collecting. The majority of our students really enjoy being in the out-of-doors and partaking in science from the shores of one of the world's great coastlines. The persons who are not satisfied are those who enter with unrealistic expectations, or semi-selfish desires to confine a dolphin for their viewing/emotional pleasure. This internship has an academic component so be prepared to take notes, conduct some library research, complete assignments, make presentations and take exams. This is all a part of science and is part of the learning process. Lectures may range from 2-4 hours per day. And expect an early start: 6:30 AM departures and some late evenings to log your turtle counts. Turtle counts require patience and a commitment to scientific inquiry. You will need to map behavior patterns along the way. Unlike the dolphins, we do allow swimming with the turtles for the purpose of photographing individuals to aid in research. In all, you should expect between 9-14 days of marine research in this internship depending on the season and the program staff.

Housing
You should expect to either camp on beautiful Hawaiian coastlines, stay in a condominium (7-persons per unit), live in a youth hostel dorm, or most likely, experience all three. The season and project determines your accommodation and you should be willing to adapt to either in-door, or out-door living. Sometimes we break it up. I.C.E. will provide tents and cooking stoves should the camping option be utilized.