Akamai Workforce Initiative

Building Hawai‘i’s scientific and technical workforce

Akamai is led by ISEE at University of California Observatories in partnership with University of Hawai‘i

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Akamai 2024 Program Dates Coming Soon

Thank you to all who attended the Akamai Symposia! All interns are safe and have returned to their home islands. Our hearts and gratitude are with the ‘Ohana on Maui.

2023 Akamai Interns

Santa Cruz Symposium- Ejercito presenting

ISEE receives $3.7 million from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation for the nationally recognized Akamai Workforce Initiative. Akamai supports U.S. astronomy through workforce development in Hawai‘i.

Akamai Alums working on the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope

Stacey Sueoka from Kauai, Brialyn Onodera from Hawaii Island, Chriselle Galapon from Maui and Mary Liang from Oahu, all Akamai alums, now work as engineers for DKIST, and are seen here at the summit of Haleakala.

Akamai Alums working on the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope

Stacey Sueoka from Kauai, Brialyn Onodera from Hawaii Island, Chriselle Galapon from Maui and Mary Liang from Oahu, all Akamai alums, now work as engineers for DKIST, and are seen here at the summit of Haleakala.

Hawai‘i telescopes are a vital resource for learning about the universe, our own climate, and satellites orbiting Earth. Telescope facilities bring rewarding jobs to Hawai‘i, and communities that host telescopes should benefit from those jobs. However, up to 40% of people hired come from outside Hawai‘i and leave at twice the rate as those hired locally.

Building a local workforce in Hawai‘i is essential, and relies on addressing college degree completion: nationally, and in Hawai‘i, less than 4 of 10 students pursuing science and technology degrees finish them.

Akamai provides valuable training opportunities and addresses degree completion through internships and mentoring. Here is what we have accomplished.

481

481 college students from Hawai‘i have done internships at telescopes and tech companies since 2003.

88%

88% of alumni are still in science and engineering.

125+

Over 125 alumni have already obtained science and engineering jobs in Hawai‘i.

Akamai has partnered with telescopes since 2001 and is funded through multiple sources.