Intern Program

Imagine exploring permaculture, sustainability and intentional community in Hawai’i. 

La’akea Community is a cooperatively-owned intentional community on the big island of Hawai’i. Our farm practices tropical permaculture and devotes special attention to the oft-neglected social dimension of sustainability:  how to live together.  Our electricity comes from the photovoltaic panels on the roof. Our water also comes via our roof into a rainwater catchment system. We started working together over four years ago and currently grow the majority of our food.  We have classes in non-violent communication, co-counseling and other modalities that increase emotional awareness and provide tools for relationships and community living.
We are interested in sharing what we know – helping to educate through experiential learning.

Our internships run three times a year; summer, fall and winter.

Summer, 2011: TBA  
Fall, 2010: Sept. 29 - Oct. 27
Winter, 2011: Jan. 19 - Feb. 16

We have been operating a successful work exchange program since the fall of 2005. Our internship program increases the focus on learning.  Participants will enjoy seven workshops on permaculture and eight on communication/interpersonal/community living skills. This is in addition to your daily participation in community life and immersion in permaculture modalities.

Adventure to nearby beaches, snorkel among coral reefs, explore geothermal steam vents and caves, view molten lava and visit other permaculture farms. There will be two organized field trips in addition to self-initiated explorations. 

The fee is $725; which supplies all the delicious food, mostly organic and from the land, and incidentals. We just raised the fee to cover the increased cost of food. Covered camping is the housing– participants supply their own tent and sleeping pad/bag. Twenty hours of labor each week is also expected. The program is limited to ten individuals.

Sample Schedule

What others said about the program:

"I'd recommend it to a million and a half people." - Lee, summer '08

The program was a "conscious learning environment" - Roberto, summer '08

"This is more than I ever dreamed of...." - Ann, fall '08

"I came here to learn about growing things, and what I really learned about was growing people." - Emily '09

Please copy and paste the application below onto a new e-mail and return to:

laakea@permaculture-hawaii.com 

Thanks

La'akea Community
P.O. Box 1071
Pahoa, Hi 96778
808-443-4076

                                     La'akea Intern Application

Today's date:

Name:

Phone number:

Email:

Date of Birth:                              Age:              Sex:

Address:

I am applying for the____________________________ internship (summer, fall, winter)

1)  Why would you like to come to La'akea?

2) What is your experience with gardening, landscaping, building, carpentry, farming, working with animals, computer work, auto mechanic, living off the grid?

Please mention other skills you think we would find valuable.

3) What skills/experience would you like to gain?

4) Describe your educational background.

5) What are some of the challenges you would anticipate if you participated?

6) What's one quality about you that others might find difficult to live with?

7) Do you have any physical, emotional or mental health issues that would impact your ability to contribute to life at La'akea?

8) What is your experience with rustic living/camping/tropical environments?

9) Please provide 2 work references, including email addresses.

10) Is there anything else about yourself that you would like to share so we have a better understanding of who you are?