Careers in Conservation
This page contains information on our Careers in Conservation resources for Maui County high school and college students. Below you will find recording of past presentations and events, as well as links to outside resources. You will also find information on upcoming events in the 2022-23 school year.
Conservation Connections & Careers
The Conservation Connections & Careers event is a one-day gathering open to current undergraduates, educators, and high school students in grades 11 and 12. The primary objective of this event is to connect participants with educational resources and diverse career opportunities in conversation fields.
The event will be hosted on the UHMC campus and will feature a keynote speaker, breakout sessions for students and educators on various conservation-related topics, and opportunities to network with professionals from local conservation groups. More details on the individual sessions will be added in mid-June.
This event is open to youth ages 16-24 (grades 11-12 and college undergraduates). Maui County Educators including admin and support staff serving high school and college students are also invited to participate in this event. Lunch will be provided along with $50 participation stipends for students and educators who complete a feedback survey after the event. Spots are limited, register today!

Career Exploration Days
Watch this video to see highlights from our most recent fall 2022 events!
Sunday November 6th, 2022 8:30am-2pm

Makai Event Overview:
- 8:30- Registration
- 8:45- Intro activity in groups
- 9:00- First two activity rotations (see below)
- 10:45- Lunch and info tables:
- Lunch is provided by Reef Cafe and Seascape Restaurant.
- Info tables featuring community-based marine organizations & opportunities for youth
- 12:00- Second two activity rotations (see below)
- 1:45- Closing activity and mahalo
- 2:00- Event ends
Students will be in four groups of 8-12 rotating between all four activity stations. Two groups will eat lunch at a time, while the other two visit the information tables.
Makai Activity Stations
Join Maui Ocean Center’s team of ocean experts for an immersive experience in animal husbandry & public education. Journey behind-the-scenes to learn about exhibit care with our curatorial team and experience first-hand the skills used for animal husbandry.. Engage with guests alongside our marine naturalists at the popular Tide Pool exhibit, where you’ll apply vital public speaking skills firsthand to impart conservation tips to our curious guests.
Presented by:
MOC Marine Institute’s team of biologists work to inspire lifelong environmental stewardship and ensure the survival of coral reefs and sea turtles in Hawaiʻi through science-based conservation efforts, education, and outreach. In this station, students will learn about sea turtles and corals in Hawaiʻi during educational sessions and have the opportunity to learn about the medical care and attention needed to rehabilitate an injured sea turtle. They will also learn about the importance of reefs and the process of propagation to establish a coral plate.
Presented by:
The Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project (MNSRP) works to protect and restore seabirds and their habitats in Maui Nui. To accomplish their mission, the team monitors seabirds in the field, tracks predators, collects and processes data, and recovers downed seabirds. The success of the project is dependent on community support, so education and outreach is fundamental to everything they do. Everyone can be a seabird guardian by learning how to identify seabirds and how to protect them from threats. At the seabird station, students will learn how to identify seabirds and take standard morphometric measurements. They will help with processing camera trap data from the field, and assess seabird and predator behavior. Finally, they will learn the proper steps to take if they find a downed seabird.
Presented by:
Hui O Ka Wai Ola is a community-based coastal water quality monitoring program. Learn how residents voluntarily test water at 29 sites across leeward Maui through hands-on activities to infer the health of our ocean water and coral reefs. We also emphasize the importance of understanding changes in water quality over time through highlighting and demonstrating the effects of ocean acidification on coral reefs and other marine organisms. Staff from Maui Nui Marine Resource Council’s Hui o Ka Wai Ola water quality monitoring program will also lead students in testing water samples from Maʻalaea and learning about the factors that affect nearshore water quality.
Presented by:
Sunday November 13th, 2022 8:30am-12pm

Mauka Event Overview:
- 8:30- Registration
- 8:45- Opening protocol by Ke Kula o Piʻilani
- 9:00- First two activity rotations (see below)
- 10:35- Snack break and outreach tables
- 11:10- Third activity rotation
- 11:55- Closing Protocol: Oli Mahalo
- 12:00- Event ends
Students will be in three groups of 8-12 rotating between all four activity stations.
*Please note we’ve had a change of schedule and the event is now ending at 12:00 pm.
Mauka Activity Stations
Two of Maui’s watershed partnerships are collaborating to engage students in interactive, hands-on activities that will introduce them to the technologies and methodologies that are used in backcountry fieldwork to protect and perpetuate Maui’s native forests.
Presented by:
Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project will provide a short introduction to the work we do at MFBRP, give background information on some of Mauiʻs native bird species, provide examples of how to identify native bird species, and complete a hands-on activity showcasing tools and techniques used in the field to help monitor native bird populations.
Presented by:
This two part station will highlight careers at two branches of the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Activity 1: Uncle Skippy Hau, who recently retired after 36 years working for the Department of Aquatic Resources will teach students about native stream life and their habitat. Students will get to see native stream life up close, learn to measure hihiwai, and even release ‘oʻopu, ʻopae and hihiwai into Wailuku stream (weather permitting).
Activity 2: Where in the wild? Where does your water come from? Where are the native species on Maui and who helps take care of them? Map-out the answers with Jeff Bagshaw from the State’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife.
Presented by:
Conservation Career Resources
Below are internships, jobs, scholarships, career exploration resources, and volunteer opportunities for youth interested in environmental career fields. Resources will be added and updated periodically.
College & University Programs
The University of Hawaiʻi Maui College is a public accredited college in Kahului, Maui. It is one of ten branches of the University of Hawaiʻi system offering a variety of bachelor and associate degrees.
- Upward Bound: an engaging educational program that prepares low-income first-generation high school students for college.
- Educational Opportunity Center: offers free services to eligible students that are seeking post-secondary education and/or career exploration.
- UHMC Financial Aid & Scholarships: financial aid resources like grants, scholarships, and student loans.
- Career Link: offers various services such as providing announcements about available jobs to helping students create cover letters and resumes.
- UH System Common Scholarship Application: students attending any UH campus are encouraged to apply annually
The UH System includes 10 campuses including 3 universities and 7 community colleges throughout the state of Hawaiʻi. Visit the UH System website to learn more about the different campuses and programs offered. Below is a list of resources for different campuses.
- Marine Option Program: certificate program interested in the ocean providing hands-on, marine-focused experiences. All UH students are eligible to enroll in MOP.
- Mānoa Career Center: job listings, workshops, and career counseling resources of UH Mānoa students. You can search the job services for students and employers database here.
- Financial Aid Services: information and resources on financial aid from scholarships and grants to federal work-study, and student loans.
- Native Hawaiian Science & Engineering Mentorship Program: provides assistance, opportunities, and community for students to excel in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
- The Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Science (PIPES): an undergraduate internship program at UH Hilo giving students an opportunity to foster a community committed to the stewardship of natural resources and work with a team of host mentors to provide interns with hands-on learning experiences.
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management (NREM): UH Mānoa program focused on preparing students to be natural resource managers and professionals.
- UH Scholarships: a list of UH, local, and national scholarships.
- The School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at the Uh Mānoa is a world-class research and academic institution focused on information solutions to some of the world’s most vexing problems. Learn more about SOEST.
- SOEST Student Resources: mentoring and support programs, research opportunities, and scholarships available for undergraduate students.
- Undergraduate Scholarships
Here is a list of private colleges in Hawaiʻi and resources to explore.
- Hawaiʻi Pacific University is a private university in Honolulu and Kānaʻohe offering various programs. Check out HPU’s Career Development Center and Financial Aid Resources.
- Chaminade University of Honolulu is a private Marianist university in Honolulu, Hawaii. Explore Chaminade University’s financial aid, scholarship opportunities, and career development resources.
- Brigham Young University is a private university in Laie, Oʻahu. Visit BYU’s Career Services for personal and professional development resources offered and financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
Upcoming Opportunities
Below are upcoming internship, volunteer, and job opportunities. Visit the link under each opportunity to learn more.
Job Training, Internships & Fellowships
Kupu Hawaiʻi
Kupu Hawaiʻi offers a variety of hands-on opportunities for those interested in establishing a career within Conservation. Applications are open for the Conservation Leadership Development Program. Visit Kupu Hawaiʻi to learn more about this program and other opportunities.
Nā Hua Hoʻohuli i Ka Pono
Nā Hua Hoʻohuli i Ka Pono is an internship program based on the island of Maui to develop high-quality candidates for exiting conservation jobs and cultivate the leaders of tomorrow. Check the Conservation Connections site for upcoming opportunities for this program.
Conservation Compass Internships and Fellowships
Conservation Career Compass lists internships, fellowships, and volunteer opportunities in the different environmental science fields in Hawaiʻi.
- Academic Programs: for high school seniors and college-level students exploring different academic programs in the UH system
- Internships & Fellowships: for high school and college level
- Volunteer Opportunities: opportunities to get involved in the community

- Pai Ka Mana- Scholarships
- Conservation Compass Scholarships
- Office of Hawaiian Affairs
- Hawaiʻi Community Foundation
- Maui Huliau Foundation's Scholarship Program
Pai Ka Mana site shares a list of local scholarships for college-level students.
The Conservation Compass site provides a list of scholarships available to students.
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs lists scholarships available for Native Hawaiian students at any of the University of Hawaiʻi’s 10 campuses.
The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation provides a wealth of financial support to qualified students. Visit HCF’s website to learn more about scholarship opportunities.
Careers in Conservation Series
These professionals participated in this year’s Careers in Conservation events: Marine Science, Watershed & Ecosystem Protection, and Environmental Educators & ʻĀina Stewards. In each presentation, they share about their career path, relevant past positions and experiences, formal/informal education, and advice for students interested in this field. You can also watch these presentations on our Careers in Conservation YouTube playlist.
Conservation Career Profiles
Below are the bios of the conservation professionals who have participated in past events.
Mahalo to all our amazing partners for making our Careers in Conservation events possible!

Kimberly Thayer
Program Associate, Mauna Kāhālawai Watershed Partnership
Read Kim's bio

Mark Deakos
Chief Sustainability Officer, 3-P Consulting
Read Mark's bio

Gerry Ross
Co-owner, Kupaʻa Farms
Read Gerry's bio

Sam Aruch
Founder, Natural Resource Data Solutions Inc
Read Sam's bio

Larissa Treese
Maui Program Coordinator, Coral Reef Alliance
Read Larissa's bio

Cheryl King
Sharkastics
Read Cherly's bio

Jill Wirt
Maui Nui Marine Resource Council
Jill Wirt's bio

Jen Vander Veur
Senior Program Manager, CORAL
Read Jen's Bio

Chanel Browne
Sea Turtle Program Coordinator, MOC Marine Institute
Read Chanel's Bio
Allison Cleghorn
Office of Climate Change, Resiliency, and Sustainability for the County of Maui
Read Allison's Bio

Jessica Colla
Education Director, Maui Ocean Center
Read Jessica's bio

Patty Miller
Education Coordinator, NOAA's HIHWNMS
Read Patty's bio

Denby Freeland
Waiheʻe Educator, Hawaiʻi Land Trust
Read Denby's bio

Rachel Kingsley
ʻAlalā Restoration, Education, and Outreach Associate
Read Rachel's bio

Kaimana Bingham
Aloha + Dashboard and Partnerships Manager, Hawai’i Green Growth
Read Kaimana's bio

Margaret Pulver
Public Information Specialist, Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission
Read Maggie's bio

Scott Crawford
Executive Director, Kīpahulu ʻOhana
Read Scott's bio

Jay Penniman
Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project
Read Jay's Bio

Taylor Fujimoto
Hawaiʻi Nature Center
Taylor received a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of San Francisco and has been working in the education and non-profit sector for the past eight years. If you can’t find him out hiking and camping, he is probably out surfing with friends and family! Watch Taylor’s presentation from the Environmental Educators & ʻĀina Stewards event. Read Taylor's Bio

Laʻakea Low
Recycling Specialist, County of Maui
Read Laʻakea's Bio

Dav Yuan
Education Coordinator, Alakaʻina Maui Digital Bus
Read Dav's bio

Tara Owens
Extension Faculty, University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program
Read Tara's bio

Don Shearer
President of Windward Aviation
Read Don's bio

Tamara Farnsworth
Manager, County of Maui Environmental Protection & Sustainability Division
Read Tamara's bio

Tamara Sherrill
Executive Director, Maui Nui Botanical Gardens
Read Tamara's bio

Eden Zang
Research Specialist, Lynker LLC
Read Eden's bio

Adam Wong
DLNR Department of Aquatics
Read Adam's Bio

Alana Yurkanin
Maui Marine Project Manager, The Nature Conservancy
Read Alana's bio

Lance D Collins, PhD
Law Office of Lance D Collins
Read Lance's Bio

Olena Alec
Executive Director, Haleakalā Conservancy
Read Olena's bio

Kapua Chang
Maui Program Manager, Hawaiʻi Nature Center.
Read Kapua's bio

Hōkūao Pellegrino
Kamehameha Schools, Maui & Nohoʻana Farm
Read Hōkūao's bio

Kailie Aina
Outreach Coordinator and Cultural Programs Liaison, Leeward Haleakalā Watershed Restoration Partnership
Read Kailie's bio

Serena Fukushima
Public Relations and Education Specialist, Maui Invasive Species Committee
Read Serena's bio

Jeff Bagshaw
Communications & Outreach Specialist (Maui Nui), Hawai'i Division of Forestry & Wildlife.
Read Jeff's bio

Keahi Bustamente
DLNR's Hawaiʻi Invertebrate Program and the Snail Extinction Prevention Program
Read Keahi's Bio

Joylynn Paman
Executive Director of 'Ao’ao O Nā Loko I’a O Maui
Read Joylynn's Bio

Austin Van Heusen
Energy Efficiency Specialist, Green Building Hawaiʻi
When attending UHMC, Austin also had the opportunity to work with the HTDC/Innovate Program via SLIM as an instructor and coordinator for the manufacturing energy auditing internship program. He taught students to audit manufacturing companies and develop recommendations to reduce energy and resource use in the local manufacturing business. Read Austin's Bio