What Can You Do

• Learn more about your oceans
• Join our listserve to receive e-updates
• Learn more about the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
• Arrange a talk for your community group
• Attend meetings related to management of the Monument
• Provide comments at public meetings or provide them by email, fax or mail during the public comment period
• Volunteer at the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center in Hilo, HI
• Encourage others to get informed and involved!
• Get wet!

Volunteers For Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument relies on volunteers to assist in various projects and in the continuing effort to "bring the place to the people". Volunteers should have excellent communication skills, have an interest in the Monument and marine ecosystems and environmental issues.

This is an excellent chance to learn more about the various aspects and programs of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and Hawaiʻi's ocean environment.

For more information contact:

Virginia Branco
Monument Volunteer Coordinator
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
virginia.branco@noaa.gov or call 808-935-8358.

Opportunities at Kure Atoll Seabird Sanctuary

The State of Hawaiʻi’s Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife is seeking a temporary-hire/volunteer for work at Kure Atoll for the summer 2014 field camp. Temporary-hire positions are for 20 weeks, the remainder of time will be voluntary (approximately 10 weeks). Deployment is to occur in March 2014. All personnel must be on Oʻahu and available to work at least one week prior to departure.

Job Type: Biological Technician (pay dependent on experience)
Location: Kure Atoll Seabird Sanctuary
Duration: Summer 2014: March 2014 – September 2014

Kure Atoll is a part of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) and is located 1,400 miles northwest of Oʻahu. Kure Atoll occupies a unique position referred to as the ‘Darwin Point’, which is the northern extent of coral reef development, and the atoll is estimated to be 29.8 million years old. Kure is an important breeding site for a sizable and diverse population of wildlife, with several rare or endangered species. Eighteen species of seabirds nest on Kure Atoll, including Mōlī or Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis), Kaʻupu or Black-footed albatross (Phoebastria nigripes), and ʻEwaʻewa or Sooty tern (Sterna fuscata). There are currently 15 native and 28 introduced plant species known on Green Island. Native plants are an integral resource for seabird nesting habitat and dune stabilization. Invasive plants are a significant management concern because they displace native plant habitat and seabird nesting areas, entrap seabirds in dense vegetative mass and out-compete native plants.

For detailed job description, click here.
For physical requirements, click here.

Opportunities at Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Volunteer opportunities exist on Tern and Laysan Islands at Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Each year a total of 15-20 applicants are selected for 6 month (minimum) assignments on Laysan and Tern. There are no internships, as such, although we are happy to assist volunteers with their paperwork for obtaining university credit for volunteer service. The schedule for recruiting is irregular with opportunities coming up throughout the year. Because of the variable lengths of stay for our volunteers, and the few numbers of flights and ship sails to the islands, our timing needs for volunteers rarely matches university summer break periods.

Click Here for more information about volunteering at Hawaiian Islands NWR (you will be directed to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website).

Opportunities at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge operation on Midway Atoll experienced a significant 50% reduction in staff as of October 2012. Therefore, visitation and volunteer opportunities are extremely limited. Only a few visits will occur this year (under strict adherence to a Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (Monument) manager's permit) to accomplish critical work projects directly serving the refuge's resource management, research, historical and cultural preservation responsibilities.

In the meantime, planning efforts are under way to implement next year or beyond, a visitor services operation at Midway as well as reinstate the volunteer program given adequate resources are made available. We hope you will consider supporting Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge capabilities by joining the refuge's non-profit cooperating association, Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge at http://friendsofmidway.org/.