10 Internships for High School Students in Honolulu, Hawaii
High school internships are an excellent way for students to gain practical experience, enhance their resumes, and increase their chances of securing future employment. They assist students in exploring career options early, enabling them to make informed decisions about their future paths.
If you’re a high schooler in Honolulu, internships offer the added perk of engaging with the local community and industries unique to Hawaii. Whether it’s in marine biology, hospitality, or technology, these opportunities can set you apart from your peers.
As it can be overwhelming to find the right fit, here’s our roundup of 10 internships for high school students in Honolulu that combine learning with real-world impact.
1. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Students are placed within a 45-minute commute from their homes
Stipend: $3,000
Application Deadline: January 19
Dates: 8 weeks in the Summer with flexible start and end dates
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; 16 years old by internship start date
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week, full-time summer internship designed for high school students interested in fisheries science. As a Hutton Scholar, you’ll be paired with a fisheries or aquatic science professional in your area to gain hands-on experience in marine and freshwater settings. During the internship, you’ll complete biweekly time sheets, a midterm report, and a final report. Mentors across the U.S. host students in various environments, including field sites, boats, labs, and offices. Activities can include fish surveys, water quality testing, data processing, and habitat restoration work.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
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!
Ladder Internships is a competitive program offering start-up internships to motivated high school students. During the program, you’ll intern at a high-growth start-up. These companies span a range of industries, including tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can view all available options through their application form. On average, participating start-ups have raised over one million dollars in funding. Interns collaborate closely with both a company manager and a Ladder Coach, contributing to real projects and sharing their work with the team. The internship is conducted virtually and typically lasts for 8 weeks. Here is the application form.
3. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Multiple locations
Stipend: New participant: $4,000; Returning participant: $4,500
Application Deadline: November 1
Dates: 8 weeks in the Summer
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least Grade 9, are currently enrolled in high school, and are 16 and above by program start
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) offers an eight-week summer research internship for high school students in Department of Navy laboratories. You will participate in actual Naval research projects under the supervision of top scientists and engineers. SEAP is a competitive program that selects candidates based on academic achievements, recommendations, personal statements, and research interests. Interns will experience cutting-edge technology and gain practical laboratory experience through full-time work. The program is designed for students interested in STEM and military-related research careers.
4. Johns Hopkins Virtual Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates: 5 weeks from July - August
Eligibility: Current rising juniors or seniors in high school
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a five-week summer research program conducted virtually for U.S. high school juniors and seniors. Participants engage in educational presentations, mentorship training, and online lab experiments. The program aims to cultivate professional and scientific skills while offering insights into careers in neuroscience. Interns connect with mentors and peers to learn about brain research in a virtual environment. A certificate of completion is awarded upon program completion.
5. Pasquines Internship
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Unpaid
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Dates: Opportunities are available year-round
Eligibility: High school students
The Pasquines Internship is an online program for high school students interested in journalism, politics, and policy analysis. You’ll cover local developments in U.S. territories such as Guam, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa while honing your writing and research skills. Interns work together on articles addressing political and systemic issues in these frequently overlooked areas. The program aims to increase awareness of underrepresented communities through effective communication and analysis. Flexible scheduling lets you balance the internship with school or other commitments.
6. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: Virtual / NASA centers across the country
Stipend: While most interns receive a stipend, some opportunities are unpaid.
Dates:
Spring: Mid-January – Early May
Summer: Late May/Early June – August
Fall: Late August/Early September – Mid-December
Application Deadline:
Spring: September 12
Summer: February 27
Fall: May 22
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, full-time students (high school through graduate level) aged 16 at the time of application, with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
The NASA OSTEM Internships program offers paid and unpaid, hands-on opportunities for high school and college students interested in STEM and space exploration. You will collaborate directly with NASA mentors across research, engineering, and other professional areas to support the agency’s mission. Internships take place at NASA centers and facilities, offering both full-time and part-time options. Students can develop practical skills and valuable career experience while actively contributing to projects. OSTEM internships are available in three sessions each year.
7. Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience—Summer Internship Program
Location: Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience, Honolulu, HI
Cost: $49
Application Deadline: March 28
Dates: June 14 – August 16
Eligibility: High school seniors
The Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience Summer Internship Program is a competitive, two-month research experience for students interested in neurological diseases. You’ll work in person alongside faculty mentors and medical student leaders on studies in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and more. The program includes mandatory lectures, supervised team-based research, and weekly on-campus data collection sessions. Interns are also expected to attend additional in-person events beyond their clinical and group work. The program concludes with a poster competition, with awards presented by the Dean of the University of Hawaii’s medical school.
8. JESSE Internship
Location: University of Hawaii Mānoa’s College of Engineering, Honolulu, HI
Cost: $400
Cohort Size: 22
Application Deadline: February 17
Dates: June 2 – July 10
Eligibility: High school juniors going into senior year
The College of Engineering’s JESSE Internship Program offers high school students a hands-on introduction to engineering research at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. You’ll work in state-of-the-art labs alongside undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty mentors on projects aligned with your engineering interests and academic skills. Interns also participate in site visits, professional workshops, and networking sessions with industry professionals and peers. Each student is paired with a mentor to guide their experience throughout the program. The internship concludes with a reception where you’ll present your work to faculty, mentors, and guests.
9. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee
Application Deadline: February 28
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Eligibility: High school students entering 9th - 12th grade in Fall; over the age of 14 by the start of the program; Strong preference for students with strong math and/or computer programming skills and/or experience with a healthcare project
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual program for high school students exploring the role of AI in healthcare. You’ll attend lectures on AI fundamentals, participate in hands-on group research projects, and receive mentorship from Stanford students and researchers. The program features career-oriented “Lunch and Learn” sessions with professionals from academia, industry, and other fields. Participants who finish the program receive a Certificate of Completion. Additionally, there are opportunities for extended independent research.
10. Internships at Diamond Head Theatre
Location: Diamond Head Theatre, Honolulu, HI
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: June 9 – July 25
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and above, preferably with previous theatre and other leadership experience
The Diamond Head Theatre offers internships for students interested in supporting musical theatre education. As a Student Director, you’ll assist MTE instructors, help organize activities, and provide leadership throughout the program. The internship is designed for high-energy, enthusiastic students with experience working with children and a passion for theatre. Strong organizational and time-management skills are highly valued, together with the ability to stay calm and positive under pressure. While previous theatre or leadership experience is preferred, it is not mandatory.
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