Are you passionate about marine conservation and eager to get hands-on experience with cutting-edge restoration work? We're looking for a driven, curious, and collaborative Limu Restoration Intern to join our team for a year Kupu ʻĀina Corps (KAC) role!

In this role, you’ll be at the forefront of restoring one of Hawaiʻi’s most culturally and ecologically important seaweeds: Limu Kohu (Asparagopsis taxiformis). Through the NOAA SK Grant initiative, you’ll support efforts to establish a local supply and outplanting program that strengthens coastal ecosystems and bolsters restorative aquaculture.

You won’t just be taking notes or tagging along — you’ll play an active role in planning, developing, and executing restoration projects, with room to take initiative and lead efforts aligned with the project’s goals. This is a rare opportunity to contribute meaningfully to Hawaiʻi’s regenerative future while learning from a passionate and experienced team.

Ready to dive in and make a difference? Apply now and help bring limu back to life!

Duties and Responsibilities

• Train under other lab personnel to become fluent in sterile technique, Asparagopsis taxiformis gametophyte (Limu kohu) strategies and lifecycle, reproductive stage induction protocols and algae seed banking. 
• Help grow and maintain A. taxiformis gametophyte cultures as needed. This includes algae inoculation, media dosing, and system/glassware cleaning. 
• Help to seed and determine best substrates for limu kohu outplanting efforts. 
• Collaborate with team members to develop and test new methods to improve A. taxiformis gametophyte health and yield.
• Conduct self-designed, guided, and analyzed experiments to explore or confirm high-priority subjects
• Support team in completing activities affiliated with any current and prospective grant applications – research, grant prospecting and writing, time tracking, report write-ups.
• Maintain laboratory biosecurity best practices and minimize contamination through iterative improvements and new experiments
• Support all activities involved in the execution of the NOAA SK grant titled: Establishing a Supply and Outplanting Program for Restorative Aquaculture Production of the Hawaiian Red Seaweed, Limu Kohu (Asparagopsis taxiformis)
• Actively support the innovation stage-gate process: brainstorming and ideation sessions, concept development, concept screening, feasibility and commercialization.
• Provide written and verbal reports of research activities, literature findings, and statistical data analysis 
• Maintain a safe working environment and provide general laboratory support and maintenance 
• Preserve all forms of intellectual and material property, and contribute to writing SOPs and internal protocols.
• Adhere to all company policies, procedures, and practices.

Benefits

Benefits for this opportunity will be administered through Kupu ʻĀina Corps (KAC) and include medical insurance, paid time off (120 hours/year), and a retention bonus.

Start Date: July 28, 2025

End Date: July 25, 2026

Qualifications

• To be eligible for participation, applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 38 for the duration of the program term.
• Applications must be a US Citizen, US National, US Permanent Resident, or otherwise legally allowed to work in the United States.
• Applicants must be responsible for their own personal housing and transportation arrangements to the Symbrosia site in Kailua-Kona, HI.
• Applicants are not required to have previous experience in the environmental sector, although prior experience is preferred.

More about Kupu ʻĀina Corps (KAC)

Kupu ʻĀina Corps (KAC) is a workforce development initiative established through the State of Hawaiʻi’s legislation for a Green Jobs Youth Corps. This yearlong program employs individuals seeking experience in Hawaiʻi’s environmental sector. Through Kupu’s extensive network of partner organizations, these paid opportunities include positions across Hawai’i in sustainability, agriculture, environmental technology and other green job fields.