8 Business Internships for High School Students in Hawai'i

Participating in an internship while you're still in high school can boost your academic profile and resume by helping you develop practical skills. You’ll gain work experience, develop workplace habits, and understand how academic concepts apply in industry environments. Internships also improve your employability by demonstrating initiative, responsibility, and an interest in a specific field. If you’re interested in business, internships offer a way to explore areas such as entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, and management before choosing a college major.

What business internships are available for high school students in Hawaii?

Hawaii presents a range of business-related opportunities in local industries and broader entrepreneurial pathways. Business internships in Hawaii are available in several formats, including virtual programs, startup-based experiences, and university-led offerings. As a participant, you will work on projects, collaborate in teams, and learn from mentors and industry professionals. These internships also provide insight into how businesses operate in local and global contexts. 

To help you navigate your options, we’ve put together a list of 8 business internships for high school students in Hawai'i that are worth checking out. Each opportunity has been selected based on its focus on practical learning, mentorship, and business skills.

1. Maui County Ag Business & Technology Internships

Location: Various locations in Maui County
Stipend: $2,100 or school credit
Dates: February 9 – April 5; Final presentation: April 27
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: Participating STEMworks high school students aged 14-22 (non-STEMworks students can also apply, but are not guaranteed placement with an internship)

The STEMworks Ag Business & Technology Internship connects you with organizations working across Hawaiʻi’s agricultural sector. The program runs for eight to ten weeks, depending on the session, and emphasizes project work tied to business and technology needs. You’ll work on meaningful assignments using industry-standard tools commonly applied in modern agriculture. Virtual professional development meetings are built into the experience to support workplace readiness and career exploration. Internships are designed to help you explore multiple roles within ag business and agri-tech fields.

2. Ladder Internship Program 

Location: Online
Cost: Varies (financial aid available)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students

Ladder Internships places you in an eight-week remote internship with an early-stage or fast-growing startup. You will work directly with a company team on real business projects that may involve research, operations, consulting, or data analysis. Throughout the program, you receive guidance from a Ladder Coach who provides feedback on both professional skills and project execution. One-on-one training sessions focus on time management, communication, and workplace expectations. Many host companies are venture-backed startups operating in fast-paced environments. The internship concludes with a final presentation where you share your project outcomes with the company. Here is the application form.

3. Young Professionals (YP) HI School Mentor Program

Location: Statewide
Stipend: Some paid opportunities available
Dates: October – December
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students in partner schools

The YP HI School Mentor Program pairs you with a young professional working in a business-related field in Hawaiʻi. Over the mentoring period, you meet virtually at least twice a month and occasionally in person at your school. Mentors support you with academic or career-related projects while sharing insight into their industry. The experience focuses on building professional, leadership, and communication skills rather than formal job placement. You will also receive guidance related to college readiness and long-term career planning. Program activities typically run from October through December, though timelines may be extended by mutual agreement. 

4. Bank of America Student Leaders Program

Location: Multiple cities across the U.S., including in Hawaii
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Paid internship, including travel expenses for the summit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; around 300 students nationwide
Dates: Eight weeks (June – August); Student Leaders Summit: July 21 – 26
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors legally authorized to work in the U.S. | Reside in an eligible location and be in good academic standing | First-time applicant

The Bank of America Student Leaders Program gives you leadership and financial experience in local communities. You will work with nonprofit organizations on projects that involve budgeting, communication, and strategic planning. A key highlight is the Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., where you will connect with peers and finance professionals. You’ll also attend workshops, career talks, and discussions about civic engagement and financial literacy. This internship blends community impact with workplace exposure, building valuable leadership and collaboration skills. It’s a nationally recognized pre-college program for students interested in business and public service.

5. STEMworks Innovation Internship Program

Location: Statewide
Stipend: Paid
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: April 3
Eligibility: Participating STEMworks high school students

The STEMworks Innovation Internship Program places you with a host organization to work on STEM-focused projects that intersect with business and technology. You commit up to 22 hours per week over six weeks, combining project work with required professional development sessions. As an intern, you will use industry-standard technologies while contributing to areas such as data processing, web management, creative media, or programming. Weekly webinars cover career readiness and college preparation topics led by subject-matter experts. You will be required to submit timesheets, progress reports, and participate in an internship showcase at the end of the program.   

6. Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) Summer Student Internships

Location: State offices, complex area offices, and selected elementary/middle schools across Hawaiʻi
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Summer: June – July; School year: December – May
Application Deadline: Summer: March 30 – April 10; School year: November 12 – 26
Eligibility: Summer Internships: HIDOE high school sophomores or juniors (16+); School Year Internships: HIDOE high school juniors or (16+)

Through the HIDOE Summer Student Internship program, you will work in state offices, complex area offices, or public schools across Hawaiʻi. Placements span fields such as business management, agriculture, culinary services, education, and therapeutic support roles. You will assist with day-to-day operations while developing employability skills like communication, organization, and problem-solving. Responsibilities depend on the specific site and may include administrative support, project assistance, or observing professional workflows. Many roles involve contributing to school or community-based initiatives that serve local populations.

7. VenturEd High School Fellowship

Location: Online
Cost: Free
Dates: 8 weeks (exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to all high school students

The VenturEd High School Fellowship connects you with an early-stage startup through an eight-week remote internship. Based on your skills and interests, you may work in areas such as marketing, operations, product design, or data analysis. You will receive mentorship from entrepreneurs and industry practitioners who provide ongoing feedback. Weekly sessions supplement the internship with guidance on workplace readiness and startup culture. VenturEd focuses on expanding access for students from underrepresented backgrounds in business and technology.

8. SparkCampus Internship Program

Location: Online
Stipend: Paid
Dates: July 6 – August 10
Application Deadline: July 4
Eligibility: High school students 

SparkCampus offers a five-week online internship where you collaborate with SparkPrintz, a student-founded startup operating in the custom merchandise space. The program combines weekly instructional workshops on sales, marketing, and business operations with project work tied to the company’s ongoing needs. You will apply learned strategies directly to initiatives that support client outreach, order fulfillment, and business growth. Guest speakers join sessions to share practical perspectives on entrepreneurship and managing small businesses. As an intern, you will work in teams and maintain regular communication with mentors to review progress and refine ideas.

Image source - Maui County Ag Business & Technology Internships logo