La'akea Community Permaculture Internships and Work Exchange Programs

  Hawaii (USA)

Pahoa

  United States

Hawaii

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Winter 
Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Ongoing

Description: Imagine exploring permaculture, sustainability and intentional community in Hawai'i.

La'akea Community is a cooperatively-owned intentional community on the big island of Hawai'i. Our farm practices tropical permaculture and devotes special attention to the oft-neglected social dimension of sustainability: how to live together. Our electricity comes from the photovoltaic panels on the roof. Our water also comes via our roof into a rainwater catchment system. We started working together over four years ago and currently grow the majority of our food. We have classes in non-violent communication, co-counseling and other modalities that increase emotional awareness and provide tools for relationships and community living. We are interested in sharing what we know helping to educate through experiential learning.

Internship Adventure
We have been operating a successful work exchange program for four years. Our internship program increases the focus on learning. The program provides an integrated, supportive introduction to permaculture, community life and the tropics. Participants will enjoy ten workshops on permaculture and on communication/interpersonal skills. This is in addition to your daily participation in community life and immersion in permaculture modalities. Our internships run four times a year; summer, fall, winter and spring. The fee is USD650; which supplies all the delicious food, mostly organic and from the land, and incidentals. Covered camping is the housing participants supply their own tent and sleeping pad/bag. Twenty hours of labor each week is also expected. The program is limited to ten individuals.

Work Exchange Volunteers
We prefer initial visitors to come as interns, then stay on as work exchangers if this is mutually desirable. We will make exceptions for individuals with prior experience in community life and/or permaculture farming. Work exchangers will be given tasks related to sustainable food/fiber production (tropical fruit orchards, vegetable gardens, greenhouses, animal systems, coconut tree climbing and harvesting, bamboo and other timber crops, and local food preparation). Work exchangers are required to work a minimum of 14 hours per week. Work exchangers will also assist with two meals a week, a weekly cleaning party and attend our weekly meetings if possible. While we encourage work exchangers to plug in more than that and to create projects beyond their 14 hour commitment, we realize that free time and solitude are valuable uses of personal time. The cost is calculated to account for food, energy and other consumable items such as soap, shampoo, etc. The current fee amount is USD12/day with a one month commitment.

"I will begin by saying mahalo (thanks), I can't begin to explain everything I have learned and how I have grown." - Laura Schmidt, '05

"I enjoyed putting work and energy into this land, and harvesting the fruits and food of other peoples labor. To plant seeds and trees that will grow into the future. Making friends that will remain in my heart and mind forever. Getting down to the earth, dirt, sweet and blood; this island is full of fun!" - Isa, '06

Highlights: Part of the vision at La'akea is to provide opportunities for people to come to La'akea; to spread the experience of living in an intentional community, to educate about permaculture, and to teach personal development skills. In exchange, we receive the benefit of additional labor, outside perspective and new friends.
La'akea is a 23+ acre property at 1300 foot elevation, on the lush east side of the Big Island of Hawaii. We are located 4 miles from the town of Pahoa and about 6 miles from the ocean, where there is a beautiful black sand beach. Other attractions in the area include: Volcano National Park with active lava flows to the ocean, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa mountains (over 13,000 feet), natural steam vents, warm ponds, tide pools for snorkeling, Pohoiki beach for surfing, other permaculture sites and intentional communities. Temperatures range between 80's during the day and 60's at night. We receive over 100 inches of rain per year.

We are located in the sub-tropical rain forest. It is both a magical and wild place. We receive approx. 150 inches of rain/year, which makes it very green and lush, as well as moldy and mildewy. We are situated at 1200 ft. elevation, which means it is cooler in the morning and evenings (65 degrees or so in winter months) than at sea level. We live close to nature, and share the land with ants, mice, rats, mongeese, feral pigs, night-chirping coqui frogs,and yes, mosquitoes. (there are also butterflies, free range chickens, ducks, and 2 sweet cats).

Still, we love this property--it's fertility and abundance, the gentle light and mist, the arching double rainbows, and the warm sunny days that shine on us. We live "off the grid," and rely on solar energy. There is electricity in our main house, but none in the accommodations.

Adventure to nearby beaches, snorkel among coral reefs, explore geothermal steam vents and caves, view molten lava and visit other permaculture farms.

Qualifications: La'akea Internships and Work Exchange Opportunities require applicants to have... a desire to learn about and experience a sustainable lifestyle; an interest in personal growth and development of communication skills; an acceptance of the rain, humidity, flora and fauna found when living close to nature in a sub tropical environment; a willingness to financially contribute for the learning experience. Applicants need not have any substantial physical, emotional or mental health issues that would impact their ability to contribute to life at La'akea.

Cost in US$: USD 360 - 650 /month

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Physically fit and inquisitive, with an eagerness to experience and learn more about sustainability and themself.

Age Range: 16 - 70

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

La'akea Community's Mission Statement: We, the members of La'akea community, dedicate ourselves to each others long term health and well-being. We honor and work in harmony with the land we own and steward. We commit to nurturing our connection with each other and with the people of the bioregion in which we live. We encourage cooperative endeavors and the building of friendships. We value sustainable practices, and consider future generations in all our choices. We commit to creating a child friendly environment and holistic childrearing. We embrace processes which work to bring us into unity, while respecting each persons autonomy. We aim for egalitarian relationships by practicing consensus decision making. We aim to bring awareness to the various roles we play in regard to gender, economic class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and age. We aspire to shift out of oppressor and oppressed roles.

Year Founded: 2005