Hawaii's future movers and shakers just got a leg up in the transportation world, thanks to the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation's inaugural internship program. More than 120 students from high school seniors to grad students got their hands dirty this summer, working on everything from airfields to sea reefs. The program, which spanned across the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation's various divisions, aimed to give these young minds real-world experience in the complexities of maintaining a state’s transportation framework, according to the Office of the Governor.
According to a statement from the Office of the Governor and Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen, the interns wrapped up their 12-week stint by presenting their projects at the Intern Recognition Summit. From exploring the potential of electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles, dubbed eVTOLs, to delving into the centennial celebration for the iconic Aloha Tower, the students didn't just sit on the sidelines. They were out in the field – literally, with visits to the Tetsuo Harano Tunnels and Honolulu Harbor.
Some of the standout initiatives presented at the summit included “Under the Sea, Under Construction: A Reef’s New Beginnings,” where interns focused on the Kalaeloa Reef Laboratory and its role in coastal protection. This effort highlighted how the health of Hawaii's reefs ties directly into the well-being of the state’s highways, harbors, and airports. As the future of transportation hovers on the horizon, the “Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Vehicles in Hawai‘i” project put forth by Airports interns garnered attention for its innovative take on addressing Hawaii's unique challenges, such as emergency responses and traffic congestion, as reported by the Office of the Governor.
The Harbors interns weren’t just thinking about the present, but also looked back, focusing on the “Aloha Tower Centennial.” They aimed to create an exhibit that provides a window into the past while honoring the significance of Honolulu Harbor. Meanwhile, Highways interns recommended a path to efficiency through “Automation Utilizing Intelligent Document Processing.” These tech-savvy students sought to streamline cumbersome workflows, proposing a centralized repository for manuals and clear guides in various formats that ensure information is readily available for those joining the department or learning new tasks, as stated by the Office of the Governor.
