Learn more about our programs.
As part of the HMAR volunteer team, you can focus your efforts on one or more of our programs. Each program has different volunteer activities, minimum requirements, physical demands, and helps to achieve our mission in a unique way. Once you’ve explored our program choices below, you may submit an application for a volunteer or internship assignment from the links below.
The general volunteer requirements that apply to all HMAR programs include:
- Volunteers should have an interest and a desire to engage with the public.
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- Volunteers in our Field Operations Program (FOP) and Marine Operations Program (MOP) must reside on Oʻahu or Molokai for the duration of the volunteer assignment (minimum 1 year).
- Volunteers in our Operations Support Program (OSP) do not need to reside on Oʻahu or Molokai but prior experience living in Hawaiʻi is highly desirable.
- You must be a U.S. citizen or have the applicable visas or immigration status.
- You must be physically fit. Most of HMAR’s programs involve physical activity that may occur in hot, windy, rainy or other challenging conditions.
- Volunteers need to possess a team-based work ethic and attitude.
- If required, you may be asked to provide a background check.
- Communication is critical for volunteers. You will need a smartphone with 4G data service and camera.
- You will be asked to complete reports of the activities you performed in an accurate and timely manner.
As a Field Operations Program (FOP) volunteer you will be making a positive impact on the conservation and recovery of Hawaiian monk seals, sea turtles, seabirds, and the ocean they call home. All volunteers in this program begin as a Level 1 FOP team member. After Level 1 training and activity, and based on your personnel qualifications and desire, you may be invited to become a Level 2 FOP volunteer. Persons with prior field experience with marine protected animals may be invited to progress at a faster pace. These two volunteer levels are described below.
Field Operations Program (FOP) Level 1: Level 1 volunteers in this program do the following important work:
- Respond in the field to reports of Hawaiian monk seals, sea turtles and seabirds.
- Make a general assessment of the animal’s condition, identify the individual animal (for monk seals), obtain photographs and identify potential animal health concerns.
- Perform public outreach at locations where these animals may be around humans.
- When appropriate, establish perimeters around monk seals to decrease interactions.
- Assist HMAR staff and other HMAR volunteers in performing animal interventions, stranding response, rescue and animal transport.
Field Operations Program (FOP) Level 2: Level 2 volunteers in this program will do the following:
- Perform all of the function of a Level 1 volunteer.
- Assist with or perform monk seal, sea turtle or seabird escalations, interventions, rescues and stranding responses.
- Assist with or perform sea turtle rehabilitation and medical care at the HMAR Care Center facility.
- Level 2 FOP volunteers become eligible to join the Marine Operations Program (MOP).
Volunteer requirements for the Field Operations Program (FOP):
- Volunteers must meet all of the general HMAR volunteer requirements (listed above on this page).
- Level 1 volunteers must be able to walk in sandy, rocky and unstable shoreline conditions for 2 miles. Level 2 volunteers must be able to walk in these conditions for 3 miles.
- Level 1 volunteers must be able to lift and carry a minimum of 35 pounds for 100 feet in beach and rocky conditions. Level 2 volunteers must be able to lift and carry 70 pounds.
- Ability to conduct outdoor response and rescue activity during hot, rainy or windy conditions. Able and willing to work on your feet in these conditions for 6 hours.
- Level 2 volunteers must be willing and able to respond anywhere on the island of Oʻahu.
- Ability to maintain a calm demeanor in potentially stressful conditions.
- Access to a reliable car. Motorcycles or scooters will not be sufficient.
- Possess a valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance with minimum Hawaiʻi liability coverage.
- Possess a digital camera (a smartphone only is not sufficient) with at least a 35X zoom.
- Level 2 volunteers must possess a set of binoculars with at least 10X magnification.
Minimum volunteer activity:
- Level 1 volunteers on this team commit to a minimum of 2 four-hour activity shifts each month. Level 2 volunteers commit to a minimum of one 6-hour shift each week on the same days and times each week. (Note: If Level 2 volunteers in this program are also members of our Marine Operations Program (MOP) team, only one 6-hour shift each week is the minimum participation level for both programs combined.)
- Minimum activity requirement is 1 year.
- Some exceptions to these minimum commitment levels may be granted under certain circumstances (i.e. military duty, etc.)
Volunteers in our Marine Operations Program (MOP) perform a variety of important activities in or on the ocean that benefit Hawaiian monk seals, sea turtles, seabirds, and the ocean they call home. Volunteer activity may occur in or on the water, and may involve kayaking, swimming, free diving, and operations from vessels.
NOTE: To be a volunteer in our Marine Operations Program (MOP), you must also be a Level 2 volunteer in our Field Operations Program (FOP). Please see more about that program on the Field Operations Program (FOP) tab on this page.
Marine Operations Program (MOP) volunteer activity may include:
- Responding to reports of live or dead Hawaiian monk seals, sea turtles, or seabirds that may need assistance on or in the water.
- Assist with or perform animal assessments, disentanglement, recovery, stranding response or other intervention activity on or in the water.
- Assist with or perform marine debris removal affecting marine protected animals in or on the water.
Volunteer requirements for Marine Operations Program (MOP):
- Volunteers must meet all of the general HMAR volunteer requirements (listed above on this page).
- Volunteers in this program must have access to a reliable car or truck. Volunteer applicants with a truck will be given priority.
- Possess a valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance with minimum Hawaiʻi liability coverage.
- Willing and able to respond anywhere on the island of Oʻahu.
- Able to walk in sandy, rocky and unstable shoreline conditions for at least 3 miles.
- Able to lift and carry 75 pounds for 100 feet in beach and rocky conditions.
- Able to swim for 400 yards on the ocean surface without stopping in less than 15 minutes (flippers allowed).
- Able to swim underwater for 25 yards without surfacing (flippers allowed).
- Able to tread water on the surface for 10 minutes without additional flotation aids.
- Able to breath hold for 1 minute.
- Demonstrate the above physical capabilities a minimum of once yearly.
- Possess your own swimming and free diving equipment (i.e. mask, snorkel, fins, etc.)
- Ability to conduct outdoor activity during hot, rainy or windy conditions for a minimum of 6 hours.
- Ability to maintain a calm demeanor in potentially stressful conditions.
Volunteer activity requirements:
- Volunteers on this team commit to a minimum of one 6-hour activity session each week on the same days and time periods each week. (Note: MOP program volunteers are also Level 2 Field Operations Program (MOP) volunteers, but only one 6-hour shift each week is the minimum participation level for both programs combined.)
- Minimum activity commitment is 1 year.
- Some exceptions to these minimum commitment levels may be granted under certain circumstances (i.e. military duty, etc.)
Our Operations Support Program (OSP) manages telephone hotlines that receive thousands of calls every year from the public and government agencies so that we can mount the most appropriate field action needed. Team members in this program dispatch HMAR personnel to enable field response, manage inter-agency activity, and also record and share data obtained in the field with government research and species management partners to enhance conservation and recovery efforts. Member of this team also manage other vital HMAR systems such as online volunteer management and training systems that enable us to operate most efficiently with well-trained personnel for maximum results.
What activities will you be asked to do as a OSP volunteer?
- Take phone calls and email submissions of protected marine species sightings and animals in distress from the public, government agencies and staff/volunteers.
- Coordinate as needed with law enforcement and/or other government agencies in escalated situations.
- Complete computerized dispatch reports and contact appropriate personnel for field response.
- Enter field data into reports.
- Update and create activity reports.
- Maintain the minimum activity level for this program.
Additional volunteer requirements:
- Volunteers must meet all of the general HMAR volunteer requirements listed above.
- Must be able to perform more than one important activity at the same time.
- Ability to maintain a calm demeanor in potentially stressful conditions.
- Access to a reliable computer, phone and Internet service.
- Access to a work location with minimal background noise.
- Experience with computer applications such as Microsoft Excel and Google Docs.
Volunteer activity requirements:
- Volunteers on this team commit to a minimum of at least 1 four-hour activity session each week.
- Minimum activity requirement is 1 year.
- Only applicants agreeing to the minimum activity commitment will be accepted for this assignment.
- Some exceptions to these minimum commitment levels may be granted under certain circumstances (i.e. military duty, etc.)