Haleakalā Interns Selected For Summer Programs

Oheo Gulch in the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Nineteen Maui students were selected from two summer internship programs at Haleakalā National Park.

The programs were created last year to encourage high school and college students to learn about the National Park Service and explore potential careers.

All interns get a living allowance as part of the program to help them offset costs.

The three-week Pōhai Maile program is designed to introduce high school youth to the various operations in the park.  The park currently provides stewardship opportunities for natural and cultural resources to support the 1.2 million people that visit the park each year.

In addition to park staff mentorship, students will also have an opportunity to work alongside other conservation agencies, including the Maui Invasive Species Committee and the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Haleakala National Park - Kipahulu District signage, photo by Wendy Osher

Twelve interns were selected through a competitive process for the Pōhai Maile program including:

• Jahryiedan Apolo (Baldwin High School);
• Kanoa Awai-Dickson (King Kekaulike High School);
• Max Hurd (Seabury Hall);
• Daniel Jacintho (Maui High School);
• Sarah Jenkins (Moloka‘i High School);
• Pandora Jones (Kaimukī High School);
• Ku‘uipo Ka‘ai (Aka‘ula School-Moloka‘i);
• Iokua Kristall-Wagner (Kīhei Charter);
• Frank Kuamo‘o III (Baldwin High School);
• Kūpa‘a Luat-Hueu (Kamehameha Schools);
• Devan Takita (Baldwin High School); and,
• Chloe Wilson (King Kekaulike High School).

The eight-week ‘Imi i ka Lama program is for college students and was awarded to seven individuals this year.

The program provides the students with direct hands-on experience in natural resources management, interpretation, and facilities management.

Interns are matched with a park program that best supports their academic and professional goals. In addition to free daily transportation, ‘Imi i ka Lama interns are also provided with a $200 per week living allowance, and an AmeriCorps Educational Award that can be used to offset the cost of college tuition, books, and student loans.

The 2012 ‘Imi i ka Lama Interns and their assignments are:

• Keli‘i Dias of UH-Hilo – Vegetation Management
• Wailea Johnston of the University of Nevada at Reno – Interpretation
• John Boyd “Waianu” Krause of Hawai‘i Community College – Kīpahulu District
• Leroy “Pule” Krause of Hawai‘i Community College – Kīpahulu District
• Alex Quintana of UH-Maui College – Kīpahulu ‘Ohana
• Kaily Tamaye of Pacific University – Facilities Management
• Noelani Vorhies of UH-Maui College – Team Leader

Haleakalā National Park encompasses two regions: The Summit District on the upper slopes of Haleakalā, and the Kīpahulu District that stretches along Maui’s eastern coastline.