About Maka‘āinana o Makana

Maka‘āinana o Makana is a community-based organization that encompasses three organizations and missions centered around traditional ecological knowledge and sustainability.

1. Hui Maka‘āinana o Makana
   Hui Makaʻāinana o Makana is a non-profit organization dedicated to perpetuating and teaching the skills, knowledge, and practices of our kupuna through the interpretation, restoration, care and protection of the natural and cultural resources within the Hāʻena State Park.
2. National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) – Limahuli Garden & Preserve
   The mission of NTBG is to enrich life through discovery, scientific research, conservation, and education by perpetuating the survival of plants, ecosystems, and cultural knowledge of tropical regions. Limahuli Garden and Preserve highlights native and culturally-significant species in an authentic Hawaiian landscape.
3. Na Maka Onaona
   To cultivate and support ‘Āina Momona, thriving communities of people and place. To provide culturally grounded educational programs and partnerships that support the overall health of our communities – mentally, spiritually, physically and emotionally.

These three organizations provide: 

• Kalo farming
• Community-based subsistence fisheries management
• Biocultural restoration
• Limahuli Ahupua‘a (upper and lower preserve, horticulture)
• Place-based education (workshops, programs and internships)
• Community-based and collaborative ahupua‘a research

Meet Our Internship Mentor: Emily Cadiz

Emily Cadiz is the program director at Hui Maka‘āinana o Makana in and has worked there for 7 years. Her job focuses on implementing programs and building capacity that is based on local communities’ vision of ʻāina momona (a thriving and productive people and place). She grew up in Mililani, O‘ahu and received a Master of Science, Natural Resources & Environmental Management (NREM) at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Emily is passionate about her work at Hui Maka‘āinana o Makana and working with communities and connecting through ‘āina.

Internship duties and responsibilities:

• Kalo farming 
• Marine monitoring techniques (limu, ʻopihi, fish monitoring tools)
• Stream surveys
• Native plant restoration
• Invasive species removal

Interns should be comfortable with and able to:

• Participate in camping activities
• Participate in all outdoor work from mauka to makai (hiking, ocean, etc.)
• Work in a loʻi and willing to get DIRTY
• Swim (good ocean skills/ swimming skills)
• Have a good attitude, be passionate and willing to learn! 🙂

2023 Internship Schedule:

• Spring 2023: Coming Soon. Interns will be required to work 8 hours in the Spring 2023.
• Summer 2023: Tuesday, July 11th – July 17th (overnight*)

*Schedules are tentative and are subject to change. Interns will be required to work 40 hours in the Summer 2023.

Tentative 2024 Internship Schedule:

• Spring 2024: Either March 2 or March 16
• Summer 2024: June 7 (8am-4pm), June 14-15 (Camp), June 21 (8am-4pm)

*Schedules are tentative and are subject to change. Interns will be required to work 40 hours in the Summer 2024.

Internship Meeting Locations:

Hāʻena State Park
6CC9+8R Wainiha
Kapaʻa, HI 96746

Limahuli Garden & Preserve
5-8291 Kuhio Hwy
Hanalei, HI 96714

Na Maka Onaona
Kilauea HI, 96754-0947