2026 Summer Ramp Up Application

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Mahalo for your interest in the 2026 YLT Summer Ramp Up Program!

Please carefully review the information below before applying. If you have any questions or need help completing this application, we'd love to hear from you!

Email: apply@maoorganicfarms.org

Call or Text: Lynn Batten, Outreach & Farm Mentorship Coordinator at (808) 960-8844

Program Description

The YLT Summer Ramp Up (SRU) Internship prepares youth to become leaders by empowering them through ʻOulu, growth in their decision-making. SRU interns will work at MAʻO Organic Farms in Waiʻanae and engage in aloha ʻāina opportunities to include cultural awareness, college readiness and community engagement activities . The SRU program develops communication, collaboration, farming, and vocational navigation skills. Upon successful completion of all internship requirements, interns will also receive a program stipend of $600/month to acknowledge their dedication to continual ʻoulu and excellence.

By the end of SRU, interns are prepared and ready to enter into their vocational and academic journey with MAʻO as a member of the MAʻO Youth Leadership Training (YLT) Program, Cohort 21. If accepted, YLT interns can expect a monthly educational stipend as well as full tuition scholarship to LCC, or partial tuition scholarship to UHWO. Through organic farming, interns develop leadership qualities like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, enriching their sense of kuleana (responsibility) and communal identity. Selection to Cohort 21 is based on exceeding academic and enterprise expectations.

Eligibility

In order to qualify for this program you must be:

Enrolled or planning to enroll at UH Leeward Community College or UH West Oʻahu for the Fall 2026 Semester
A young adult between 17-25 years old (with exceptions)
A graduating High School Senior; High School Diploma or GED Recipient
Strongly motivated to go to college & pursue any career of interest
Capable of performing farm-related labor, including working outdoors in the elements, bending, and lifting up to 40 lbs
Ready to commit to the full program schedule from May 30, 2026 - August 15, 2026

Required Documents

If accepted into the program, please be prepared to provide the following items:

Birth Certificate (or other qualifying identity document)
Current TB Clearance
Social Security Number (for payroll purposes)

Program Calendar

Date	Task
April 13th	Application Opens – First Day to Apply
May 18th	Application Closes – Last Day to Apply
April 20 – May 21st	Interview Period
May 22nd	Final Application Decision Notifications
May 24th	Offer Confirmations Due
May 30th	Program Orientation (Required), Onboarding Due
June 7th	Makeup Orientation
June 8th	First Day of Internship
August 15th	Last Day of Internship, Hōʻike, Program Reflection Due
August 17th	YLT Cohort 21 Begins
August 24th	LCC – First Day of Instruction

Your information

First Name

Last Name

Preferred Name

What would you like us to call you?

Gender

Pronouns

Birthdate

Use this format: MM/DD/YYYY

Current Age

Phone Number

Personal Email (not related to your school)

This is the primary email we will use to communicate with you about your application.

School Email (optional)

Mailing Address

Street/PO Box

City

State

Zip

Physical Address (if different from mailing address)

Street/PO Box

City

State

Zip

Emergency Contact

Emergency Contact Name

Relationship to You

Emergency Contact Phone

Emergency Contact Email

Employment & Volunteer Experience

Please tell us about any current or past employment/volunteer experiences and be sure to include:

1. Name of the Company/Organization

2. Supervisor's Name

3. Dates of Employment/Engagement

4. Reason for Leaving

References

Please share at least one personal or professional reference and be sure to include:

1. Name of Reference

2. Relationship to you

3. Email and/or Phone Number

Outreach Feedback

How did you hear about this internship?

What is the name of the person who referred you?

Please specify how you heard about this internship

Have you participated in MAʻO programs before?

Yes! I am excited to return

No, this is my first time

Personal Reflection

In what ways, if any, do you think ancestry and connection to ʻāina shape your sense of identity?

What is your gift (unique quality or strength)?

Describe a challenge you've faced in the past and explain the steps you took to overcome it.

Future Goals

What are your educational and/or career goals?

Why do you think furthering your education is important for achieving your future goals?

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