Summer Intern Spotlight

Hi! I’m 18 years old and a freshman in college. I became part of the Understory Alliance internship program after being recommended by my biology teacher. I am majoring in wildlife biology and am excited to learn more about the botany side of biology through this internship. I have been working on social media as well as helping work on the garden at KAEC. I am excited to see what these months have in store for me.

- Kyra

So far in my internship I’ve been working on the Understory Alliance plant guidebook and newsletter and have been learning more about native plants and the environmental protection efforts taking place on island. I’ve gotten the chance to do a bit of fieldwork at Haena beach park and am excited to keep working hands-on on the Mala La’au project! As a high school student this has been an amazing opportunity to do real, meaningful work in what I’m passionate about.

- Kaia

I’m a lifelong learner who recently earned a Certificate of Competence in Hawaiian Botany and is also pursuing an Associates degree in Hawaiian Studies at Kauai Community College. I was introduced to the Understory Alliance through the Citizen Forester Program and this internship through KCC. I am excited to be in on the ‘ground’ level of creating a forest garden and helping others in our community connect with plants, whether it be in person at the garden workdays, through the newsletter or telling the story of the plants themselves in the plant guidebook.

- Lora