9 Internships for High School Students in Hawaii
For high school students in Hawaii, internships offer a valuable chance to gain real-world experience and expand learning beyond textbooks. Through these hands-on opportunities, you can cultivate practical skills in fields like environmental science, healthcare, tourism, and technology—fields that have deep roots and relevance in Hawaii. Working alongside professionals, you’ll gain exposure to the day-to-day workings of an industry, allowing you to see the real impact of your potential career choices.
Internships also give you a distinct edge in college applications, showing admissions committees that you’re proactive about exploring career paths and honing skills in a professional setting. Early industry exposure not only clarifies your interests but also builds a solid foundation that will serve you in both academic and career pursuits.
To help you get started, here’s a list of 9 carefully selected internships available in Hawaii, ideal for high school students looking to dive deeper into their fields of interest.
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
The NASA OSTEM (Office of STEM Engagement) Internship is a paid opportunity designed for high school and college students who want hands-on experience in science, engineering, technology, and related fields. Interns collaborate with NASA mentors on real-world projects, from designing experiments and analyzing mission data to developing technologies in fields like space science, aeronautics, microbiology, and computer science. This program offers full-time and part-time options, including virtual placements, providing mentorship and career development for students interested in space exploration and STEM careers. To learn more about NASA internship opportunities, check out our full blog here.
Cost: No cost; interns will receive a stipend depending on the academic level and session duration
Location: Virtual or at NASA facilities across the country
Application Deadline: Summer: February 28 | Fall: May 16
Program Dates: The dates vary for different programs
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who are U.S. citizens and at least 16 years old by the time they apply
The Hawai‘i Pacific Health Careers Summer Internship is a six-week paid program for high school juniors, seniors, and college students aimed at providing firsthand experience in healthcare. Interns work across a network of medical centers in Hawai‘i, including Kapiolani and Straub Medical Centers. You will learn about hospital systems, interact with healthcare professionals, and explore careers in areas like nursing, imaging, and IT. This internship introduces you to diverse roles in healthcare while offering mentorship and exposure to patient care settings.
Cost: No cost; interns will receive a stipend (amount is not specified)
Location: Hawaii Pacific Health Centers
Application Deadline: The application closes in February
Program Dates: The program typically runs between June and July
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The STEMworks Ag Business & Technology Internship program provides high school and college students with a 10-week hands-on experience in agriculture. Interns work on real-world projects, gaining exposure to various subfields within the agricultural sector while using industry-standard technologies. The program is designed to help you build skills in agricultural business and technology applications, explore potential career paths, and enhance your resume. With a focus on bridging academic knowledge and practical experience, this internship supports career readiness in the agri-tech field.
Cost: No cost; interns will receive $2,100 as a stipend at the end of the internship
Location: Various locations in Maui County, HI
Application Deadline: Fall session: September | Summer session: May | Spring Session: January
Program Dates: Fall session: September-October | Summer session: May-June | Spring Session: January-February
Eligibility: Participating STEMworks high school students of grades 9 to 12 aged 14 to 22 (non-STEMwork students can also apply but are not guaranteed placement with an internship)
The Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience Summer Internship Program is a competitive nine-week experience for students interested in neuroscience. Interns work on research alongside neuroscientists, focusing on neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The program combines hands-on data collection, mandatory lectures, and collaborative teamwork with the chance to present your research through poster sessions and scholarly activities. You must commit to weekly in-person data sessions, orientation, midterm, and final events, making this a rigorous yet rewarding experience for aspiring neuroscience researchers.
Cost: An application fee of $49
Location: Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience Center, Honolulu, HI
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April
Program Dates: The program runs for 9 weeks between June and August
Eligibility: Although the program is open to undergraduate or graduate students, a select group of individuals in their senior year at an accredited high school may be considered
The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, in partnership with the Hawaii Department of Education, offers this paid internship for Nānākuli and Wai'anae complex students. Interns participate in tasks at various local businesses, with various opportunities available. Requirements include completing a level 3 CTE course and aligning the program with career pathways like agriculture, health services, and business. You must commit to 60 hours of work and attend three professional development sessions to gain exposure to different industries and career options.
Cost: No cost; intern will receive $900 as a stipend
Location: Various local businesses in Hawaii
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in October
Program Dates: The program runs between October and December
Eligibility: Current student at Nānākuli or Wai’anae High School with a GPA of 2.0 or above and a level 3 CTE Course completer
Hosted by the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa's College of Engineering, the JESSE program offers high school juniors hands-on experience in engineering labs under faculty mentorship. You will engage in real-world research projects, attend workshops, and connect with professionals through site visits and networking sessions. Each intern is paired with a faculty or graduate mentor based on their interests and skills, with placements aligning with lab availability. You will also present your work at an end-of-program reception, making this an intensive experience designed for students serious about engineering pathways.
Cost: $400 (fee waivers also available)
Location: University of Hawai’i at Mānoa's College of Engineering, Honolulu, HI
Application Deadline: February 17
Program Dates: June 2 – July 10
Eligibility: High school juniors going into their senior year
Organized by STEMworks, this internship provides high school students with real-world STEM experience by tackling meaningful projects using industry-standard technology. You will work up to 20 hours weekly over six weeks, advancing projects based on the identified needs of host companies. Each week, you will join expert-led webinars focused on college and career readiness skills. A virtual showcase event wraps up the program, allowing you to present your work. Fields covered include computer science, renewable energy, robotics, and healthcare, among others, connecting classroom skills to practical applications.
Cost: No cost; interns will receive a $2,000 stipend
Location: Depends on partner companies’ locations
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April
Program Dates: The program typically runs for 6 weeks from June to July
Eligibility: STEMworks high school students of grades 9 to 12 (non-STEMwork students can also apply but are not guaranteed placement with an internship); all applicants must be a Hawaii-resident or attending a Hawaii-based school.
This internship offers young theatre enthusiasts the chance to become Student Directors, assisting instructors in the Musical Theatre Experience program. Interns will work full-time over an 8-week summer camp, supporting rehearsals, managing backstage needs, and supervising young participants. Responsibilities include assisting with daily activities, providing safety supervision, and supporting final performances. This unpaid role is ideal for those passionate about theatre, offering skill-building in leadership, communication, and theatre production.
Cost: N/A
Location: Diamond Head Theatre, Honolulu, HI
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April
Program Dates: The program runs between June and August
Eligibility: Completion of one year of MTE Teens (PM), MTE II, or equivalent experience, such as participation in another arts or theatre program
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.