Haleakala National Park Seeks Applicants For 2014 Imi I Ka Lama Summer Internship Program For Hawaiis College Students

Date: December 17, 2013

Haleakalā National Park is currently recruiting applicants for its 2014 'Imi i ka Lama Collegiate Internship Program to be held July 02- July 25, 2014. Applicants must be Hawai'i residents currently enrolled in college and be able to provide their own housing on Maui.

'Imi i ka Lama is an eight week program intended for those who have an interest in pursuing a career in natural resources conservation and/or the National Park Service. The interns will gain direct work experience alongside park staff in the Endangered Wildlife Management, Interpretation, Facilities Management, and Visitor/Resources Protection divisions, and at the Kīpahulu District of Haleakalā National Park where they will also work with the Kīpahulu 'Ohana. One Team Leader position will be filled to help facilitate both the 'Imi i ka Lama and Pōhai Maile High School Programs.

Haleakalā National Park encompasses two regions: The Summit District on the upper slopes of Haleakalā, which reaches elevations between 7,000-10,000 feet, and the Kīpahulu District that stretches along East Maui's beautiful coastline.

Applicants will be selected through a competitive process which includes a formal application, background check and interview. Interns will earn a living allowance of $200 per week which is to help offset the cost of supplies and equipment required for the program that will not be issued by the park. The Team Leader will earn $430 per week. Graduates of the program will also be eligible to earn an AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,175 that may be applied towards any higher education costs or towards student loans.

Interested applicants must be available full time from June 02- July 25, 2014. Program hours are from 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. not including travel time. Free transportation is provided from designated pick up sites in Central Maui and Upcountry. Applicants must be willing to camp overnight in remote areas with minimal facilities for a week at a time, attend helicopter training, and be able to attend the Hawai'i Conservation Conference (all expenses paid) from July 14- 17, 2014.

This will be the fourth year of the 'Imi i ka Lama Internship Program, which was created in 2011 along with the Kupukupu 'Āina middle school and Pōhai Maile high school internship programs.

Critical support for this year's three internship programs is being provided with grant funding from the Hau'oli Mau Loa Foundation, a Honolulu-based private grant making Foundation. Part of the Foundation's mission is to enhance stewardship, preservation, and protection of the environment. The Environmental Leadership Pathways program at the Foundation seeks to support the work of developing the next generation of environmental leaders in Hawai'i.

Additional support for the programs is provided by the Hawai'i Pacific Park's Association (HPPA). HPPA is a non-profit association that provides support to six National and Historical Parks in the Pacific. Responsible for operating these Parks bookstores and providing interpretive services, HPPA's mission statement is: "With the spirit of aloha, we inspire the discovery and stewardship of the natural and cultural heritage of Pacific island parks. We do this through sales, service, and support."

For more information and to obtain an application packet, please contact the Park's Internship Coordinator, Kūhea Asiu, at [phone] or [e-mail]. Completed applications must be postmarked by Saturday February 15, 2014.