Hele Imua – State of Hawaii Internship Program
Intern Applicant (Job Seeker)
The Workforce Development Division (WDD) is currently accepting applications for Hele Imua, a 12-week internship opportunity for the State of Hawaii. The purpose of this program is to provide eligible candidates exposure to various high-demand occupations in state government that may transition into gainful employment within Hawaii’s labor market.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA (Act 251, SLH)
(1) Be sixteen years of age or older;
(2) Be a Hawaii resident;
(3) Be currently enrolled:
(A) In a public high school or has earned a high school diploma or its equivalent within one year of applying for the internship; or
(B) In an accredited college or university or has earned a college or university degree within one year of applying for the internship;
(4) Have, or has graduated with, a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher, on a scale of 4.0 or its equivalent; and
(5) Is not an apprentice in a registered apprenticeship program or journey worker;
Criminal history background checks will be conducted as appropriate.
Intern Application Process
- Oahu Applicants: [email protected]
- Hawaii Island Applicants: [email protected]
- Maui Applicants: [email protected]
- Kauai Applicants: [email protected]
Click here for a fillable Employment Application for Non-Civil Service application form.
Please also click on the link below to submit an online Hele Imua Internship Program application to express your interest in becoming an intern.
Click Here to Apply
Host Agency – State Department/Division (Employer)
DLIR WDD seeks to partner with state departments and divisions that can offer real on-the-job work experience, training, and supervision for select interns of the Hele Imua program. Interns may conduct duties that are the same or similar to those of your current employees. This program is intended to prepare interns for a possible career in state government and offers job seekers an inside look and feel of what it is like to work for a state agency while at the same time allowing you the opportunity to stretch your resources further with the assistance of one or more interns.
Interns will be registered with the DLIR payroll system and will be paid by DLIR. There is no cost to the employer with the exception of time for supervision and the cost of supplies necessary for the intern to complete assigned tasks and duties. The Hele Imua Program will offer each selected intern a duration of up to 12 consecutive weeks to complete their internship with the possibility of extension.
Please email an intern position description (one paragraph) to: [email protected]
Click Here to Apply
Ka Liko Lawelawe Award
The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations presents the first Hele Imua Internship Program Ka Liko Lawelawe Award and congratulates these 2025 winners!
- Kiani Aburamen, Hawaii County
- Justin Silva, Maui County
- Angela Lindberg, City and County of Honolulu
- Juliet Madrid, Kauai County
These individuals successfully completed their Hele Imua Internship and were hired into a State position, demonstrated strong collaboration and teamwork, exemplified a commitment to public service, and delivered excellence in customer service and embodied the Aloha Spirt.
Please click here to view Hawaii Senate News Release for more information.
Congratulations to the 2025 Ka Liko Lawelawe Award Winners and Mahalo for your commitment to public service!
