Meet our interns!
Meet our wonderful Fall 2026 Internship Cohort members who are learning about native plant propagation, dryland forest restoration, and wildfire mitigation. We look forward to helping each of them learn, grow, and become future leaders for our ʻāina over 5 months.
These internships are funded and supported by various programs including:
University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant Pili Nā Moku Project (NOAA Grant), Disney, Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization, and Kamehameha Schools Kaiāulu.
.jpeg)
I used to be an office worker, but I realized that my true passion is being outdoors, caring for ʻāina. That is why I started an internship with Mālama Learning Center, so I can deepen my knowledge of West Oʻahu's ecosystems, build hands-on skills in habitat restoration, fight invasive plants and nurture natives, and connect with Hawaiian culture and practices.
Mahalo nui to Mālama Learning Center for helping me start my journey in an ʻāina-based career!
Fall 2026 Intern
Makakilo, Oʻahu
Aleksandra Varlamova
Ola Nā Kini Stewardship and Outreach Intern
.jpeg)
Aloha nui kākou, I'm Keona, a proud kupa of Nānākuli. I graduated from Kamehameha Kāpalama (2024) and am currently attending UH West Oʻahu, studying Sustainable Community Food Systems/Economics. During this internship, I hope to build a stronger pilina with unfamiliar wahi pana and community members to encourage more people to mālama ʻāina. In the future, I plan to continue my ʻāina journey, become a mahi ʻai, and study Environmental/Hawaiian Rights Law. Mahalo.
Fall 2026 Intern
Nānākuli, Oʻahu
Brayden Keonaokalani Van Kuren
Ola Nā Kini Stewardship and Outreach Intern
.jpeg)
Aloha everyone, My name is Kamanalu Grace but people like to call me "Nalu" for short. I am from Nānākuli, Oahu. I graduated from Kamehameha Schools Kapalama 2024 and also played baseball for Kamehameha. Some fun facts about me is I like to go spearfishing, hunting, boogie boarding as my hobbies. I love to spearfish to take care of my family and friends with fish and octopus.
The things I am hoping to learn during this internship is to connect myself more to the ʻāina and encourage others also. For myself, I want to encourage others to take care of our ʻāina and learn more about our native plants and to learn how to survive off of our ʻāina. A quote that I learned from my father is "if we take care of our ʻāina, the ʻāina will take care of us".
Fall 2026 Intern
Nānākuli, Oʻahu
Kamanalu Grace
Ola Nā Kini Stewardship and Outreach Intern
.jpeg)
Aloha, I’m Alyssa and I grew up in the Honolulu area. I recently graduated Oregon State University with a B.S. degree in botany. During my time with Mālama Learning Center I hope to deepen my understanding, connection, and give back to the ‘āina and my community in a meaningful way. My future career goal is to continue my work in conservation and become a field botanist!
Fall 2026 Intern
Kaimukī, Oʻahu
Alyssa Birmingham
Ola Nā Kini Stewardship and Outreach Intern
Aloha, ʻo Jayven Gascon Okuda koʻu inoa, ma Makakilo au i hanai ʻia ai. Working with MLC so far has been a blessing and a privilege. To be able to serve my own ʻāina and puʻu along side such hardworking, inspiring, and hilarious people continues to remind me of the reason why I’m here and do the work we do. Everyday I’m learning new things about her beauty in every ecosystem, whether that’s through lāʻau or the pua of the next generation above us. Feeling her winds, rains, and long hot days, has not only deepened my identity with ʻEwa, but has deepened my roots in which I stand to serve.
I’m deeply grateful to work in the spaces we work in, with and for the people we do it for. I hope through MLC I’ll continue to ignite the hearts of others through ʻike, the same way my kumu have done for me. No na kau a kau, mahalo!
Fall 2026 Intern
Makakilo, Oʻahu
Jayven Okuda
Ola Nā Kini College Wildfire Restoration and Outreach Intern
.jpeg)
Fall 2026 Intern
ʻEwa Beach, Oʻahu