Skip to content
Log in
Research career paths

Your Guide to Internships in Hawaii

Looking for paid summer internships in Hawaii? Start with this comprehensive guide full of tips and tricks.

If you're looking for internship opportunities in Hawaii, inquire within!

Tips for your resume and profiles

Before you get started on sending out applications, make sure that you have your resume up to date and have fully filled out all your Handshake profile details. With a complete profile, a fulfilling internship in Hawaii is more attainable than ever. Recruiters are much more likely to message a student with a complete profile that says you want to work in Hawaii than an unfinished one.

Tips for your internship interview

When you do land your first interview, be it a virtual interview or in person, make sure to come prepared and dressed to impress. Review your resume and cover letter to make sure you have specific examples of your experience to share, from clubs or coursework. You can even schedule a mock interview with your university’s career center or, if you’re tight on time, ask a trusted friend to grill you on some common interview questions.

Tips for networking at your college internship

Once you’ve landed an internship in Hawaii and settled into the flow of day-to-day life at your job, start chatting with your coworkers. Whether they’re industry professionals or fellow interns, it’s important to treat them with equal respect. You never know what insights they could lend, or who could be a valuable connection down the line, five or ten years from now. Don’t be afraid to ask your new colleagues out for quick coffee chats, or request 15-minute informational interviews about their career trajectory.

Want more tips for getting the most out of your internship?

Looking for specific advice before your internship begins? Or are you hungry for further information even after your internship is over? A good way to delve even deeper into your career path growth is to attend a virtual event or two. Not only will you be learning more about your own career, but there will also be chances to network with employers, industry specialists, and other students sharing different perspectives.

Where can I find an internship in Hawaii?

Here is a list of employers looking for interns in Hawaii, including some of the best summer internships in Hawaii:

  • Kaiser Permanente
  • TransPerfect
  • Gap, Inc.
  • Kiewit
  • CDW Corporation

For the best summer internships in Hawaii, consider the list above and apply!

Tips and tricks for your internship in Hawaii

If you’re a transplant, it never hurts to review advice for living in a new state during your internship. After you’ve figured out how to get an internship in Hawaii, consider other important parts of your internship journey.

How to get around Hawaii

Hawaii has so much to offer, although if you want to see it all one your own, we recommend that you plan your transportation ahead of time. If you want to visit a different island than where you’re staying, make sure you know how to get there.

Places to eat in Hawaii

  1. Foodland
  2. Kaaloa’s Super J’s
  3. Leonard’s Bakery
  4. Ono Seafood
  5. Rainbow Drive-In

Things to experience during your time in Hawaii

  1. Haleakala National Park
  2. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
  3. Bishop Museum
  4. Diamond Head
  5. Hanauma Bay

How do I find an apartment in Hawaii?

Consider these resources to help your Hawaii apartment search:

  1. Apartments.com
  2. Zillow
  3. Craigslist
  4. Join a Housing, Rooms, Apartments, and Sublets group on Facebook

Finding an internship in Hawaii

How do I find paid internships in Hawaii?

When searching for a paid internship in Hawaii, it’s key to use the location filters provided on Handshake. You’ll be able to pinpoint internships exactly where you want to intern just by selecting the city you want in the search bar. Internships in Hawaii are a search away.

You can also research top companies in Hawaii by visiting our list of Handshake employers and typing in specific places into the “Location” search bar. This way you’ll be able to see employers in your desired location. Once on the company’s page, you can read reviews from students who have interned there or study up on some interview questions.

Where do interns live in Hawaii?

To find rentals, many interns use resources like Craigslist, Zillow, and other sites specifically for apartment hunting. If you have any connections in the city, it’s also always good to consider those first.

How can an intern live in Hawaii?

Moving to a new city is equal parts exciting and nerve wracking–make sure you have all your details squared away for your internship before you pack your bags.

Here are a few things to consider:

  • Have you checked out tips on how to land an internship?
  • Do you need your internship to provide compensation?
  • Are you renting in an affordable neighborhood?
  • Do you have a vehicle? If not, are you comfortable using public transportation frequently?
  • Will the food options available work for you?

How can I get an internship without experience in Hawaii?

If you don’t have previous experience and want to kickstart your first internship in Hawaii, don’t fret! There are definitely ways to land that role you’ve had your eyes on. Hawaii internships want you!

Start by reviewing your resume! Read it over a couple of times and then consider the types of internships you’re going to be applying for. Think back to courses you’ve taken at university, as well as any extracurriculars, volunteer work, or even organizations (clubs or greek life for example) that you’ve participated in. Organize the skills that you’ve gained from those experiences and add them to your resume and Handshake profile. Even though you might not have held an internship or job before, there are still ways to prove your worth through other skills and experiences.

Find the right jobs for you. Get hired.