Powering Futures: Hawaiian Electric Internship Opportunities
Hawaiian Electric offers a range of internship opportunities designed to provide students with valuable, real-world experience and a potential pathway to a fulfilling career in the energy sector. These internships span various departments and are open to students from diverse academic backgrounds. The company emphasizes its commitment to its foundational values: integrity, excellence, teamwork, environmental stewardship, and community commitment, making it an attractive prospect for those looking to jumpstart their professional journey.
A Commitment to Talent and Growth
Hawaiian Electric recognizes that its employees are its competitive advantage. The company is an equal opportunity employer that either selects and promotes qualified individuals from within or hires externally when vacancies arise. It makes every effort to place people in positions that make the best use of their abilities, contribute to career growth, and maximize personal satisfaction. Hawaiian Electric endeavors to make its career site accessible to all its applicants. By fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment, Hawaiian Electric ensures that interns and employees alike have the opportunity to thrive and contribute to the company's success.
The Maui Power Pathway Program: A Model for Success
One notable example of Hawaiian Electric's commitment to workforce development is the Maui Power Pathway Program, a summer internship program in collaboration with UH Maui College. This program offers participants a monetary stipend, a tangible pathway in education, and hands-on work experience, culminating in the opportunity to potentially secure a position as an Operator Helper.
Dylan Delgado, a 2025 Maui High School graduate, discovered the program on UHMC’s Instagram account and applied as a way to spend his summer productively. The program provided interns with real-world experiences in various roles within the generation division at Hawaiian Electric on Maui, including electrical systems, combustion turbine operations, instrumentation and control technology, diesel mechanics, and plant operations.
Dylan's experience was transformative. He expected to shadow plant operators but instead found himself doing hands-on daily operator tasks. He particularly enjoyed working with the combustion turbine (CT) mechanics. Through this experience and the POSS test, Dylan gained confidence and felt prepared to perform operator duties. He expressed gratitude to Hawaiian Electric, UHMC, and the Maalaea Plant staff, noting their helpfulness and patience.
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Dylan stated, “It was truly an honor and a privilege to have been able to learn about the importance and general process of the power generation that keeps our island running and I am extremely grateful for having been given the opportunity to participate in this internship and I would be privileged to work and become a plant operator at Hawaiian Electric.”
The success of the Maui Power Pathway Program demonstrates the power of strategic, community-centered workforce development. This collaboration between Hawaiian Electric and UH Maui College transforms lives and builds a sustainable future for Maui residents.
A Glimpse into the Internship Experience
Summer interns at Hawaiian Electric have the chance to learn about what it takes to power the five islands the company serves, whether it be going to a substation visit or working in the office. Internships span a range of departments, offering exposure to various aspects of the energy industry.
One intern majoring in marketing expressed gratitude for the opportunity to gain valuable, real-world experience in the field. Marketing can be a very broad field, which is why internships are a great way to learn new skills and apply them outside of the classroom. This summer, the intern worked closely with the digital communications and social media team.
In a recent year, Hawaiian Electric had 32 summer interns in various departments. One intern, Andrew Yang, from the substation engineering department, said, “I believe being able to meet with people from different departments and majors has expanded my outlook on what makes a company operate and has made the whole experience a lot more fun!”
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Interns often work on various projects throughout the summer. One summer project involved collaborating to make a video explaining Enhanced Fast Trip (EFT). Interns also have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in and out of the office.
One intern recounts a day trip to Maui with the social media team to provide training and learn more about the operations there. Visiting the Kahului base yard, the team met with various employees on Maui, who showed them around and introduced them to some of the teams working there. The intern learned more about how the electrical grid works and found it interesting to hear how different the operations are on Maui compared to Oahu. The intern also enjoyed taking photos of linemen from other islands like Molokai and Lanai who happen to also be in Maui for future social media posts. It was exciting to see the process of how content ideas come to life from the actual production and editing process to the satisfying feeling of it being posted!
The welcoming atmosphere and encouragement to ask questions make the internship experience positive and rewarding. Interns express gratitude to mentors and those who allowed them to get a glimpse of what happens at Hawaiian Electric.
Diverse Opportunities Across Departments
Hawaiian Electric internships are available in a variety of departments, providing students with a wide range of experiences. Some of these departments include:
- Emergency Planning and Preparedness: Interns assist with developing and implementing emergency response plans, ensuring the company is prepared for various contingencies.
- Substation Engineering: Interns work on projects related to the design, maintenance, and operation of substations, which are critical components of the electrical grid.
- Digital Communications and Social Media: Interns contribute to the company's online presence, creating content and engaging with the community.
- Generation Division: As highlighted in the Maui Power Pathway Program, interns gain hands-on experience in plant operations, electrical systems, and related areas.
Whether it be going to a substation visit or working in the office, summer interns at Hawaiian Electric get a chance to learn about what it takes to power the five islands the company serves.
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How to Apply and Thrive
Applying to internships can be nerve-racking or sometimes overwhelming, but Hawaiian Electric strives to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants. The company encourages students from all backgrounds and academic disciplines to explore the available opportunities.
To maximize the internship experience, students should:
- Be proactive: Take initiative to learn about different aspects of the company and the energy industry.
- Ask questions: Don't hesitate to seek guidance from mentors and colleagues.
- Network: Build relationships with professionals in the field.
- Embrace challenges: View new experiences as opportunities for growth.
- Contribute: Offer your skills and ideas to contribute to the company's goals.
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