Hawaii Launches Hele Imua Internship for Agriculture Industry

news-and-events

Published October 17th, 2025

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The Hawaiʻi Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation and Ulupono Initiative, has launched the Hele Imua Internship program. This 12-week program aims to support the state's agriculture industry by pairing interns with local farmers, offering hands-on experience and paying interns $20 per hour.

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What changed

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR), in collaboration with the Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation (HAF) and Ulupono Initiative, has launched the Hele Imua Internship program. This initiative, authorized by Act 251, SLH 2025, is the first private sector expansion of the Hele Imua program and aims to bolster Hawaiʻi's agricultural workforce. Interns will participate in a 12-week program, working part-time for up to 19.5 hours per week at $20 per hour, gaining practical experience in various farming tasks.

This program offers a paid training opportunity for individuals interested in agriculture and provides local farms with support for their workforce needs. Applications for both interns and farm partners are currently open, with a deadline of October 24, 2025. Regulated entities in the agricultural sector should be aware of this new workforce development initiative and consider participating as farm partners or encouraging potential interns to apply.

What to do next

Review application details for the Hele Imua Internship program.
Encourage eligible employees or potential hires to apply for the internship by October 24, 2025.
Consider participation as a farm partner if applicable to agricultural operations.

Source document (simplified)

STATE OF HAWAIʻI

KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

JOSH GREEN, M.D.

GOVERNOR

KE KIAʻĀINA

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

KA ʻOIHANA PONO LIMAHANA

JADE T. BUTAY

DIRECTOR

KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

STATE LAUNCHES HELE IMUA INTERNSHIP FOR AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 17, 2025

HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR), in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation (HAF) and Ulupono Initiative, has launched a Hele Imua Internship program to support Hawaiʻi’s agriculture industry.

The 12-week program pairs interns with local farmers to strengthen the state’s agricultural workforce. Interns will earn $20 per hour for part-time work of up to 19.5 hours per week, gaining hands-on experience in seeding, planting, weeding, harvesting and delivery.

“By pairing students with local farms through paid training and workforce support, the Hele Imua Internship program helps create a stronger bridge between education and employment,” said DLIR Director Jade T. Butay.

Authorized by Act 251, SLH 2025, this marks the first expansion of the Hele Imua Internship into the private sector. HAF is helping to pave the program for the agriculture industry.

“The future of Hawai‘i’s food security depends on developing the next generation of farmers and agricultural leaders,” said HAF Executive Director Denise Yamaguchi.

This partnership between the DLIR, HAF and Ulupono Initiative aims to build stronger connections between young workers and local farms, as well as to support long-term careers in agriculture.

Applications are open through October 24, 2025.

Intern Application: bit.ly/heleimua_internapplication
Farm Partner Application: bit.ly/heleimua_farmapplication # # #

Equal Opportunity Employer/Program
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
TDD/TTY Dial 711 then ask for 808-586-8842

View DLIR news releases:

http://labor.hawaii.gov/category/news/

Media Contact:

Chavonnie Ramos

Public Information Officer, State of Hawai‘i

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

Phone: 808-586-9720

Email: [email protected]