Pacific Forum is a non-profit foreign policy research institute in Honolulu that examines political, security, economic and business issues and facilitates dialogue in the Indo-Pacific with the region’s academic, government, and corporate leaders. Interns assist with formatting and designing publications, video editing, social media, and database entry. In addition, they have access to local Pacific Forum events, and they may also choose to write something for publication by Pacific Forum.

The Headquarters United States Indo-Pacific Command (HQUSINDOPACOM) Student Volunteer Fellowship Program allows students to explore career opportunities within a professional work environment while learning about the Department of Defense mission and objectives in the Indo-Pacific region.
* Applicants for the USINDOPACOM internship must be U.S. citizens willing to undergo a background investigation to obtain a security clearance. They must be willing to participate in an in-person, full-time, 10-week program this summer.

The Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies is a US Department of Defense institute in Honolulu that addresses regional and global security issues. Interns support courses by assisting professors in seminars attended by US and foreign military and civilian security practitioners, perform research, and attend visits from US officials and foreign dignitaries.

The Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs carries out responsibilities for the US territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the US Virgin Islands. Interns will support the Office of Insular Affairs to respond to environmental and climate-related concerns in these areas through research, compiling white papers, preparing materials for meetings and/or workshops, communicating with partners, and presenting findings. Topics of potential research include biosecurity, transportation infrastructure, energy, invasive species, coral reefs, nature-based solutions, food security, and water resource management. The ideal candidate is a self-starter and an excellent communicator with knowledge and experience working with Pacific Islander or Caribbean communities.

The Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture (FestPAC) is the world’s largest celebration of indigenous Pacific Islanders, drawing artists, cultural practitioners, scholars and officials from member nations of the Pacific Community. The 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture was convened in Hawaiʻi on June 6–16, 2024. Interns worked with the East West Center’s Pacific Islands Development Program to support the event.

Since 1980, the Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP) at the East-West Center has served the nations and peoples of the Pacific through innovative capacity building, interchange among regional leaders, and policy-relevant research on priority issues. Students will have the opportunity to work on the Pacific Islands Report, which was launched in 1997 in collaboration with the Center for Pacific Island Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The Pacific Islands Report is a digital platform offering concise news updates and fresh insights on Pacific Islands issues.

The White House Initiative on Asian-Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders is charged with driving an ambitious, whole-of-government agenda to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for AA and NHPI communities. Interns supported the Federal Executive Board in its involvement with the WHIAANHPI’s Hawaii and Pacific Islands Regional Network of federal agencies.