Strategic Communications Intern (Digital & Media)

Overview

This summer internship is an opportunity to work with experienced program managers and communications professionals at a Native Hawaiian Organization-owned business while learning from colleagues who voted their company as one of the best places to work in Hawai'i!

Work performed will include storytelling, multimedia production, and potentially in-person networking at events across Hawai ʻ i that help to raise awareness around the impact of community-centric initiatives while increasing advocacy for the meaningful work performed by various organizations.

This role supports the Strategic Communications team by helping shape how Nakupuna tells its story, internally and externally, through clear writing, creative marketing strategies, and thoughtful digital engagement.

This position is within a family of Native Hawaiian-owned companies that provide various services to government clients throughout the U.S. With Headquarters in Honolulu and offices throughout the United States, the relationships created within the Nakupuna Companies will serve as a basis for networking in the Pacific, Hawai' i, Washington, DC, and around the country.

This is a paid internship for students currently pursuing a post baccalaureate or graduate degree, as well as recent post baccalaureate or graduate degree recipients. The position is based in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, and is expected to be approximately 40 hours per week during the summer term. The internship may take place anytime between May 26, 2026, and September 6, 2026, with specific start and end dates determined in coordination with the supervisor. Applications must be submitted by March 13, 2026.

Responsibilities

Intern will assist the Nakupuna team with increasing engagement with audiences and be given regular assignments for developing multimedia outreach materials . The following reflects management's expectations for this position but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned :

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop digital stories to be distributed across various platforms , applying strong writing, proofreading, and editing skills to ensure clarity, accuracy, and alignment with Nakupuna's brand voice
• Create multimedia profiles highlighting the trailblazing work of leaders and community-led organizations , using a mix of written storytelling , graphics, and video content
• Visit sites to conduct interviews and collect images , video, and stories that can be used to advocate for impactful community work and support creative marketing and communications strategies
• Network with leaders who are pioneering efforts in tech, economic development, language, agriculture, and more , and help translate those conversations into engaging internal and external communications
• Support events in Hawai'i by capturing content, assisting with storytelling, and helping to engage and recruit eligible program participants or future partners
• Help produce short multimedia tutorials and digital content (including short-form video and reels) that support storytelling, learning, and engagement efforts across platforms
• Learn how leaders effectively write proposals and design projects , gaining exposure to how strategic communications supports advocacy, impact, and organizational goals
• Assist with organizing and maintaining digital assets, including image naming conventions, file structure best practices , and version control to ensure content is easy to find and reuse
• Support basic website content hygiene tasks, such as updating image descriptions , proofreading copy, and learning introductory search optimization fundamentals
• Collaborate with team members by asking clarifying questions when needed, incorporating feedback, and proactively communicating progress or challenges to ensure high-quality deliverables
• This role is ideal for a candidate who enjoys both creative execution and strategic thinking. The intern will support digital and multimedia efforts while learning how wri ting, storytelling, and thoughtful communica t ion ad vance organizational goals, community impact, and brand trust

Management may assign additional duties and responsibilities to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

Qualifications

Skills/Qualifications: Must be 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen. A pplicants must also be enrolled as a degree-seeking student in an accredited college program and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or greater .

A ccess to broadband WiFi is required to work effectively when in a virtual office environment . Additional qualifications include intermediate skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) and excellent written and verbal communication skills .

Internship may require day trips to neighbor islands, to conduct interviews and collect footage from community partners doing work outside of Oʻahu .

Coursework in Multimedia Production, Communicatio n s (e.g. Journalism, Marketing, Copy Writing), Design ( e.g. Web, Programming, Graphic Design), Hawaiian Language, or Hawaiian / Pacific Studies , either completed or in progress, is preferred.

Applicants with experience producing and editing video and other multimedia are encouraged to submit samples of past work .

Education : High school degree or equivalent. Coursework in Multimedia Production, Communications (e.g. Journalism, Marketing, Copy Writing), Design (e.g. Web, Programming, Graphic Design), Hawaiian Language, or Hawaiian/Pacific Studies, either completed or in progress, is preferred but not required. Must be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university and pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree.

In-Office Requirements: Due to the hybrid (mix of in-person and remote ) nature of this internship, intern must have the ability to work from the Honolulu office a minimum of two days per week.

Competencies:

• Community-Oriented - Maintains or seeks to build trust-based relationships within their communities; Exhibits strong listening skills and the ability to approach engagements with humility, respect, and understanding of protocols; Demonstrates or seeks to develop understanding of relevant traditions, values, and histories; Familiarity with economic challenges faced by communities.

• Oral & Written Communication - Speaks clearly in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Participates in meetings; Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.

• Creative Problem-Solving & Innovation - Ability to think creatively and solve problems when faced with technical or content-related challenges; Open to experimenting with new techniques, software, and multimedia trends .

• Attention to Detail & Quality Control - Strong attention to detail, ensuring high-quality production across all stages of multimedia projects; Ability to spot and correct visual or auditory inconsistencies, technical errors, or formatting issues .

• Project Management & Collaboration - Ability to manage multiple multimedia projects simultaneously, ensuring deadlines and quality standards are met; Willingness to work in in collaborative teams (e.g. director, training manager, technical assistance manager, outreach specialist, and nonprofit executives and project managers); Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Physical Requirements: The ideal candidate must at a minimum be able to meet the following physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation :

• Ability to perform repetitive motions with the hands, wrists, and fingers
• Ability to engage in and follow audible communications in emergency situations
• A bility to sit for prolonged periods at a desk and working on a computer

The Nakupuna Companies use a market-based compensation strategy to ensure that our employees are compensated within applicable market ranges commensurate with multiple factors, including but not limited to the individual's particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements, and position location. The projected compensation rate for this position is $24 (hourly USD). The hourly rate displayed represents the typical hourly rate for this position and is just one component of Nakupuna Companies total compensation package for employees.