05/31/2026
Another incredible intern completed her service with us this month—Isabella! Not only did she finish all of her required hours, she volunteered an additional 49 hours simply because she enjoyed being part of the work happening at Okihi.
One of the most rewarding parts of serving as an internship and job-training site is building relationships with young people and helping them discover what they’re capable of.
Our interns gain hands-on skills in a wide variety of areas, including:
🌿 Native habitat restoration
🐑 Animal care and husbandry
🥕 Edible gardening and sustainable food systems
🔨 Tool use, land stewardship, and equipment operation (including tractors when permitted by their program)
🏕️ Hospitality through our camping and Airbnb programs
💻 Administrative support, marketing, and website design
🎉 Community event planning and management
📚 Outdoor education programs that serve local youth
More importantly, they leave with increased confidence, stronger communication skills, professional experience, and a deeper connection to the natural world.
For parents, Okihi offers a safe and supportive environment where young people can explore career interests, develop practical life skills, and build meaningful relationships with mentors.
For potential funders and partners, investing in our internship program means investing in the next generation of environmental stewards, community leaders, educators, and skilled workers. Every hour an intern spends at Okihi creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond our 14 acres.
Watching these young people grow into capable, confident adults has become one of our favorite parts of this entire project. We are incredibly grateful for every intern who chooses to spend part of their journey with us .
Thank you Isabella- you are a gem and look forward to hearing about the amazing work you will do as a therapist!
