2026 Pacific Islands Regional Office Interns
Meet our interns! Dive into the experiences, research projects, and journeys of NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Regional Office summer interns in marine science and resource management.
Rachel Anderson
Image
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I attend the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, where I am finishing my Bachelor of Science in marine biology and will graduate this December! A big highlight of my time there has been participating in the Marine Option Program and attending the QUEST (Quantitative Underwater Ecological Surveying Techniques) Field Program on Hawaiʻi Island. I have loved being able to take what I learned in the classroom and directly apply it to the unique marine environment here in Hawai‘i.
What do you do during your NOAA internship?
My main focus is analyzing how local protected species and marine life interact with aquaculture operations. I analyze underwater video footage to observe and document behaviors between protected species and aquaculture gear, primarily focusing on Hawaiian monk seal behaviors. What’s really exciting is that we’ve been utilizing AI programs to speed up and sharpen our video analysis, allowing us to process data more efficiently.
Biggest “I didn’t know that before this internship” moment?
My biggest revelation was realizing just how much NOAA actually does! Working inside a NOAA office opened my eyes to the scale of this agency and the diverse roles it takes to keep everything running. Meeting the people in these roles and learning about their career paths has been incredibly rewarding. Working in marine biology and conservation is not just about one specific track. There is an entire ecosystem of careers dedicated to protecting our oceans!
What will you take away from your experience?
I am walking away with a deep sense of gratitude and a solid foundation for my future career. Working with NOAA has shown me how much goes into federal marine resource management. I am grateful to the team for trusting me with real responsibilities. Learning to navigate official databases, apply protected species protocols, and use AI tools has given me practical skills that will serve me well in graduate school and beyond. This experience taught me how to be adaptable and resilient when things don’t go as planned. I am excited to carry these lessons forward into the next chapter of my conservation career.
Why was it important for you to work on this project?
As someone passionate about wildlife conservation, this project was incredibly important to me. Aquaculture is the future of sustainable food production, but it must coexist safely with protected marine life. Working on a project that directly monitors that balance using quantitative data has given me the chance to contribute to real-world solutions that protect vulnerable species while supporting sustainable coastal industries. I feel like I am making a difference for our planet, and that is incredibly meaningful and rewarding.
What role can young professionals play in marine aquaculture and stewardship?
Young professionals bring fresh eyes, comfort with new technology, and passion for the planet. We aren’t just inheriting these ecosystems; we are actively shaping the technologies and policies that protect them.
If your internship had a theme song, what would it be?
"Everyday People" by Sly and the Family Stone. This song is upbeat and all about rolling with the punches. This past year at NOAA has been a masterclass in flexibility. Everyone kept a smile on their face, proving that a positive attitude, great work environment, and an awesome team can get you through any unexpected situation!
About the University of Hawai'i Marine Option Program
Dash Dicksion
Image
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m going into my final year at the University of Washington in Seattle, where I will be completing a Bachelor of Science in aquatic and fishery sciences with a double minor in quantitative science and public policy.
I was born and raised on the windward side of O‘ahu and grew up fishing pretty much any chance I could get. Spending all that time on the water inspired me to pursue a career where I could ensure that future generations would have access to our fisheries and be able to make those same kinds of memories.
What do you do during your NOAA internship?
I’m working with NOAA Fisheries and the Pacific Islands Fisheries Group on a volunteer-based nearshore gamefish tagging program. My project takes on many forms: understanding the decision-making process and perceived barriers surrounding cooperative research; analyzing existing tagging data for notable trends; and directly engaging with the fishing community to address the questions they want answered
I also helped coordinate and document NOAA’s 2026 Recreational Fisheries Roundtable for the Pacific Islands region. That was a truly unique and enlightening experience. It was great to hear fellow fishermen voice their opinions and see people from all sides of the industry come together to address pressing issues.
Why was it important for you to work on this project?
The volunteer fish tagging project was one of my first forms of exposure to fisheries science as a young fisherman. Working with the tagging data 10 years later is a full-circle experience for me. It gave me a unique opportunity to take on the project from multiple perspectives: that of a fisheries professional and that of a long-term volunteer.
What are you planning to do after graduation?
I hope to return home, take what I’ve learned during my time on the continent, and combine it with my practical experience as a fisherman to apply to meaningful efforts supporting sustainable fisheries in the place I call home. I want to stay involved with cooperative work in fisheries—either pursuing graduate studies or taking on a professional role.
About the NOAA Hollings Scholarship Program
Kaiya-Amani John
Image
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Kaiya-Amani. I’m studying marine biology and sustainability at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. I’m a senior and will graduate with my bachelor's degree in the spring of 2027.
What do you do during your NOAA internship?
I mostly do data analysis and organize video footage of specific marine life around the fish pens on Hawaiʻi Island. The work supports a Hawaiian monk seal monitoring project.
Biggest “I didn’t know that before this internship” moment?
I didn’t know that there were so many small details that can make a big difference in keeping sustainable fish pens in Hawaiʻi. I also didn’t know that when working at NOAA Fisheries, you rarely start in the position you end up in long term. You might actually have three or more jobs.
What will you take away from your experience?
Every job in a project is important. Something that might not seem that important could be someone's whole career and could keep an entire operation running smoothly.
Why was it important for you to work on this project?
To protect wildlife and prove that sustainability is possible with minimal harm to protected species. It’s important to me as I gain a deeper understanding of why NOAA Fisheries and Blue Ocean Mariculture are working so hard on this project.
What role can young professionals play in marine aquaculture and stewardship?
Young professionals can make a real difference in marine aquaculture and stewardship because we’re often the ones who can help get people to care. It’s about helping people understand that what they do really does have an impact—whether that impact is good or bad. If young people grow up already understanding why stewardship matters and why aquaculture is important, they’ll carry that mindset with them and keep pushing for a sustainable future as they get older.
If your internship had a theme song, what would it be?
"Master of the Tides" by Lindsey Stirling.
About the University of Hawai'i Marine Option Program
Lily Olmo
Image
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a doctoral student at Oregon State University, studying fisheries, wildlife, and conservation sciences. I am interested in how human-made and human-managed coastal habitats can contribute to healthy and resilient fish populations. This summer, I am studying pua i'a (baby fish) in loko i'a, traditional Hawaiian aquaculture systems that can serve as nurseries for many fish species.
How did you hear about the internship and why did you apply?
I am a doctoral fellow through NOAA’s Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center, funded by NOAA’s Educational Partnership Program. Through my previous work studying fish in human-designed wetlands, I became interested in loko i'a (Hawaiian fishponds) and began co-developing a summer project with local fishpond stewards. I connected with mentors at NOAA Fisheries’ Pacific Islands Regional Office and Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center who are hosting me this summer and contributing their expertise to this project. The internship was a perfect opportunity to combine my interest in fisheries ecology, collaborative research, and community-based stewardship.
What do you do during your NOAA internship?
I’m working with community partners at a local Hawaiian fishpond to co-develop a fish monitoring protocol. We are particularly interested in the early life stages of fish—including larvae and juveniles—to better understand how they enter and use fishpond habitats.
After holding community meetings to identify shared priorities, research questions, and methods, we began collecting fish. We are currently testing several methods that target larval and juvenile fish. These include light traps, plankton nets, and SMURFS (Standard Monitoring Unit for the Recruitment of Fishes).
Biggest “I didn’t know that before this internship” moment?
You never know what you will find in a larval fish sample. Larval fish can look very different from juveniles or adults. One of the most surprising things I learned is that some fish, like those in the Schinidlaria (infantfish) family, might look like tiny baby fish, but they’re actually sexually mature adults.
What will you take away from your experience?
Collaborative research can lead to meaningful knowledge production, while informing on-the-ground fisheries management. Working alongside community partners has shown me what it truly looks like to combine local knowledge and expertise with western scientific methods. It has also emphasized the importance of building relationships with people and places, and the importance of developing ideas with communities who depend on marine resources.
Why was it important for you to work on this project?
Larvae and juveniles are often overlooked life stages, despite their importance to future fish populations. Understanding how early life stages use loko i'a helps caretakers better support these ecosystems through management and restoration.
What role can young professionals play in marine aquaculture and stewardship?
Young professionals bring energy, creativity, and fresh perspectives. As the next generation of researchers and conservationists, we can bridge the gap between science and communities while mentoring students entering the field.
If your internship had a theme song, what would it be?
"Nā Makani ‘Ehā" by Dennis Kamakahi. The title translates to "Four Winds" and is a lovely ode to the winds of Moloka'i that I came across while searching for the Hawaiian names of regional winds. The song reminds me to honor the names of places and living beings I interact with through my research.
About the NOAA Educational Partnership Program
Jamie Ranes
Image
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am from the greater Philly area in Pennsylvania. I am a rising junior at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering in engineering management and a minor in public policy.
How did you hear about the internship and why did you apply?
I heard about the NOAA College-Supported Internship Program through my academic advisor. As a sophomore, I had been doing community outreach and market research for my college’s Marine Energy Collegiate Competition team, which aimed to design an offshore aquaculture system powered by marine energy. I really enjoyed that experience, and I wanted to broaden my knowledge in the aquaculture industry. That’s why I ended up working on the Aquaculture Storytelling Project.
What do you do during your NOAA internship?
I have been working virtually on two main projects. The first project is a guide and flowchart on permitting aquaculture in Hawai‘i state waters. I have been meeting with different Hawai‘i regulatory agencies and timelining the different permits to make the process easier for future applicants. The second project is an outreach assessment on current aquaculture communications materials. The goal is to identify gaps in the current communications materials to create better ones in the future.
Biggest “I didn’t know that before this internship” moment?
Prior to my internship, I had not thought much about the actual policies associated with aquaculture. Since working at NOAA, I have learned about how extensive the planning of aquaculture projects actually is. Each agency has its own individual processes and goals, which become apparent in how aquaculture projects are executed.
What will you take away from your experience?
The most valuable part of this internship has been learning how to conduct interviews. For my permitting project, I connected with people from various agencies. I learned to prepare questions and build new ones off their answers. These interviews have been essential to how I wrote my final product.
Why was it important for you to work on this project?
My work targeted gaps in existing communications. Creating a streamlined permitting guide helps simplify a complex regulatory process for future applicants and coastal managers.
What role can young professionals play in marine aquaculture and stewardship?
Young professionals can bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to the aquaculture industry. With recent executive orders and new Cooperative Institute Fostering Aquaculture Research and Market (CIFARM) establishments, aquaculture is growing more and more. Get interested, get involved, and learn something new!
If your internship had a theme song, what would it be?
"Suddenly I See" by KT Tunstall.