Live with albatrosses for up to a year! Volunteer opportunities on Kure Atoll in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands

 The State of Hawai'i’s Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife is seeking Habitat Restoration Volunteers for work in the Kure Atoll Wildlife Sanctuary in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

Also known as Hōlanikū, the atoll provides important habitat for wildlife, including the koloa pōhaka (Laysan Duck) and 'llioholoikauaua (Hawaiian Monk Seal).  Eighteen species of seabirds nest on Hōlanikū including kaʻupu (Black-footed Albatross) and ʻaoʻū, (Christmas Shearwater).

A pair of Laysan Albatrosses with their egg on Kure Atoll, photograph by Cynthia Vanderlip

DLNR is committed to eradicating non-native and invasive plant species such as Golden Crown-beard Verbesina encelioides from the atoll.   Invasive plants are a significant management concern because they displace native plants, which are necessary for wildlife habitat and promote dune stability.  This position is a rare opportunity to protect and recover a unique ecosystem while living in a remote wildlife sanctuary.

Hōlanikū is an extremely remote work location and transportation to the atoll is limited and infrequent.   Deployment to any remote field station is a serious undertaking. Delays in travel dates due to weather or ship mechanical issues may occur.  Due to Hōlanikū being a remote location and difficult to access, response times for emergencies, including evacuation, may be uncertain.  The ability to live and work in close quarters with a small group of people for an extended period of time is of the utmost importance.  Field teams typically consist of three to five personnel.  The duration of this camp will be discussed during the interview process.

To learn more about the work click here for the full job description or visit http://kureatollconservancy.org/our-work/.

To apply send resume, cover letter and three references or email queries with a request for the full advertisement to Cynthia Vanderlip, Naomi Worcester and Dwight Moss at Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo..

Read a guest ACAP Monthly Missive by a Kure volunteer describing the field work she undertakes.

With thanks to Cynthis Vanderlip, Kure Atoll Conservancy.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 20 February 2025