Career Spotlights

What is a “Natural Resources Career”? Play the video below!

Check out some of the different careers you can have in conservation here in Hawaiʻi! Click into the posters below!

Click into the infographic below to see trends regarding conservation careers in Hawaiʻi!

Natural Resource Jobs in Hawaiʻi*

Download the Posters Here!

*Characterizing Hawaiʻi’s Natural Resources Management Sector: Jobs, Education, Salaries, and Expenditures, 2024.

Scroll below to check out featured Career Spotlights (written and video interviews) of real-life conservation professionals in Hawaiʻi demonstrating the expanse of conservation careers. These professionals share what a typical work day is like for them, the pathway they took to their current position, and career advice!

Navigator Spotlight Series

Produced by the Hawai’i Conservation Alliance & Foundation, this series features written and video interviews with current conservation professionals here in Hawaiʻi demonstrating the expanse of the conservation field. They take a deeper dive into the Navigator as a person to see what their pathway was, what they learned along the way, what advice they have to share, and what their day to day looks like.

Shelbie Ishimaru

Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research/Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi in support of NOAA Fisheries, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center

Marine Turtle Field Research Assistant

Hope Ronco

Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research – working collaboratively with NOAA PIFSC Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program

Research/Logistics Technician

Brad Kaʻaleleo Wong

Office of Hawaiian Affairs

ʻAho Pueo Kūkulu Papahānaumokuākea, Papahānaumokuākea Program Specialist

Conservation Connections Mini Interviews

In the Conservation Connections Mini Interviews, produced by the Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance & Foundation, our staff interview both students and career professionals in the conservation field about their work, Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference, career advice, and more! Watch these videos to learn more about the different opportunities available in conservation here in Hawaiʻi and gain insight into a conservation career!

Tori Spence-McConnell

NOAA Fisheries

Regional Aquaculture Coordinator

Episode 14: Conservation Connections @ HCC

Mario Kaluhiokalani

Kuleana Coral Restoration

Restoration & Monitoring Technician

Episode 13: Conservation Connections @ HCC

Allie Coleman

Coral Reef Alliance

Grants Manager

Episode 12: Conservation Connections @ HCC

See Yourself in NR Careers Series

Produced by Kupu, this series invites you to hear from local professionals in the NR a collection of videos talking about their jobs and the exciting and surprising things they involve.

Chonsa Schmidt

DLNR Dept. of Forestry & Wildlife (DOFAW)

Kupu Conservation Leader

Ever wonder what it’s like working for the Dept. of Forestry & Wildlife?

Jenny Yagodich

Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea

Director of Educational Programs

Do you love the marine world?

Meet the People of Forestry & Wildlife

Produced by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DoFAW). Who works at Forestry and Wildlife, and why do they choose to work here? Our staff are just like you: they’re people who care about Hawai‘i and are trying to help maintain and enhance the natural resources that make Hawai‘i a special place. If you’re interested in interning or working with us, or you’re just curious about what we do, watch the videos below to meet some our staff, hear about their work, why they do it, and their advice to anyone considering working in this field. You can learn more here!