Do you love the ocean? Got experience as a fisher or waterperson? Want to help monitor the health of our ecosystems? The Hōkūala Kīkaha Kai “Rising Star” internship offers local ocean-minded students training in STEM fields, practical shipboard and seagoing skills, and career mentorship with NOAA.
Internship Benefits
We’re offering a paid 10–12 week summer internship opportunity for hands-on learning that will prepare you for a career in seagoing ocean science. You will be able to directly transfer your on-the-job training and develop your skills for future opportunities on research vessels.
You may have the opportunity to:
- Learn to use marine monitoring equipment (e.g., underwater video systems, oceanographic instruments, sampling and fishing gear);
- Participate in small boat operations;
- Produce information with advanced data tools;
- Adapt designs for marine projects.
How to Apply
Please see the NOAA Hōkūala Kīkaha Kai application form to apply for the summer of 2026 internship. To apply you will need, in PDF format:
- Statement of interest
- Resume or CV
- Academic transcripts (unofficial are acceptable)
This years internship is:
Hōkūala Marine Technician & Operations Internship
The primary objective of this internship is to provide you with the high-level technical competencies required for entry-level technician roles within NOAA Fisheries and the broader marine science field.
Technical Annotation & Software Proficiency
Hands-on experience with the specialized tools used by the archipelagic program in the Ecosystem Science Division at PIFSC to annotate corals and marine invertebrates. Proficiency will be developed in:
- Geospatial & 3D Modeling (e.g., ArcGIS Pro, Agisoft Metashape, or Viscore).
- Annotation Platforms (e.g., CoralNet, TagLab, and LabelStudio).
To contribute to:
- Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) Validation: Supporting the transition toward automation by validating AI-generated annotations.
- Data Processing: Assisting with model processing or active initiatives such as the substrate stabilization projects.
Sample Processing and Lab Work
Assist in processing calcification accretion units (CAUs) that are used to establish calcium carbonate accretion rate baselines and assess changes in reef accretion rates due to ocean acidification and other environmental drivers. You could also be involved in sorting bulk plankton samples, identifying larval fish, learning how to use microscopes and how to handle and preserve samples.
Maritime Operations & Safety
To ensure a well-rounded field skill set, this internship may include the following formal maritime training :
- Certifications: Earn the Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) and the Open Water Module (OWM) credentials.
- Operations support: Assist the Operations Team with routine vessel maintenance, gaining insight into professional boat husbandry and safety protocols.
Timeline
Applications close: April 15, 2026
Applicant notification: June 1, 2026
The full internship is 10–12 weeks for a total of 400 hours and typically begins in July, but is flexible.
More Information
For questions or application timeline reminders, please send all inquiries to Mia Lamirand: mia.lamirand@noaa.gov.
About
The internship has been named the Hōkūala Kīkaha Kai “Rising Star” Internship Program, in memory of Hōkūala Kari Johnson, an inspirational NOAA program lead in the Pacific Islands region who passed away in July 2020. Hōkūala Kīkaha Kai means “rising star skimming/soaring across the ocean” and describes a guiding star to mariners at sunrise. It is a tribute to her love for the sea, selfless mentorship, community engagement, and constant aspiration and actions to lift others up and help them find their way. We thank Kepā Maly of Hawai‘i Island for his assistance with the translation.
