Gain hands-on experience with one of the most essential yet often overlooked aspects of running a business: corporate compliance! Compliance is not just about adhering to government regulations and industry standards – it’s about creating a positive business environment that lets employees embody organizational values inside and outside of the workplace while addressing the needs of a company. This summer internship is an opportunity to work directly with the Director of Compliance at a Native Hawaiian Organization-owned business that serves customers across the U.S. while learning from colleagues who voted their company as one of the best places to work in Hawai'i! 

The Intern will have the opportunity to meet and work with Managers, Shared Services Directors and Executives in support of Nakupuna’s mission by supporting a compliance program that ensures adherence to laws, regulations, and policies. The Intern will work directly under the Director of Compliance and collaborate with other departments. The Intern will assist with daily activities and several projects including conducting research, internal planning, and other administrative tasks.    

This is a paid internship for students currently pursuing a post-baccalaureate or graduate degree, as well as recent post-baccalaureate or graduate degree recipients. The position is based in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, and requires approximately 40 hours per week, preferably for the duration of the summer term (May 26, 2026, through September 6, 2026). Application must be submitted by March 6, 2026. 

Help us plan and prepare for this year’s Corporate Compliance Week by developing and designing materials and activities that appeal to a workforce of more than 1,000 employees. Specific deliverables may include infographics, newsletters, digital ads, presentations, and other employee resources. Follow the path from regulations, to policy, to business implementation and learn how an organization takes complex rules and translates them into meaningful practices.  

The following reflects management’s general expectations for this position but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned.  Management may assign additional duties and responsibilities to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.  

• Support the team in advancing compliance program goals while learning how compliance is critical to business operations and strategic planning. 
• Conduct research on federal legislation and regulations relevant to Native Hawaiian Organizations and small business federal government contractors. 
• Collaborate with the compliance team to develop training materials, awareness campaigns, and employment engagement activities. 
• Support the maintenance of compliance-related documentation, records, and databases. 
• Assist in reviewing and updating compliance policies and procedures. 
• Work with various departments to ensure a collaborate approach to compliance. 
• Leverage collaborative platforms (Microsoft SharePoint, Teams) to communicate and complete assignments. 
• Share internship experiences with the Nakupuna Foundation leadership. 

Skills/Qualifications: Must be 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen. Applicants must also be enrolled as a degree-seeking student in an accredited college program and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or greater.   

Due to the hybrid nature of this internship, access to broadband WiFi is required to work effectively in a virtual office environment if the intern will not be on site in a Nakupuna office daily. Additional qualifications include intermediate skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) and excellent written and verbal communication skills.  

Education: High school degree or equivalent.  

In-Office Requirements: Due to the hybrid (mix of in-person and remote) nature of this internship, intern must have the ability to work from the Honolulu office a minimum of two days per week.  

Competencies:  

• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Participates in meetings
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information
• Initiative - Undertakes self-development activities; Energetic and eager to tackle new projects and ideas; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Able to work remotely with no on-site supervision; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan

A fitting candidate is someone who pays attention to detail, has a strong aptitude for research, and delights in transforming the routine into something attention-grabbing. This experience will be insightful for any student interested in business, law, public policy, or political science. 

Physical Requirements: The ideal candidate must at a minimum be able to meet the following physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation: 

• Ability to perform repetitive motions with the hands, wrists, and fingers
• Ability to engage in and follow audible communications in emergency situations
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods at a desk and working on a computer

The Nakupuna Companies use a market-based compensation strategy to ensure that our employees are compensated within applicable market ranges commensurate with multiple factors, including but not limited to the individual’s particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements, and position location. The projected compensation rate for this position is $30 (hourly USD). The hourly rate displayed represents the typical hourly rate for this position and is just one component of Nakupuna Companies total compensation package for employees.