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Work Trade Internship

Join our Worktrade Program and learn about tropical homesteading hands-on in Hawaii.

This program is for those looking to expand their construction and Permaculture skillsets, deepen their relationship to the Earth, and experience community off-grid living. Please read below for more information and fill out our google form application!

Apply Now on Our Google Form!

What to Expect

What you can expect from the experience.

Timeframe & Hours

  • 1-3 month commitment
  • 20 hours per week of project-based work covers room and food
  • ~5 hours per week of community service tasks (e.g. shared cleaning, dinner prep, group check-ins)
  • Work Monday-Thursday with open weekends for relaxing/exploring

Room & Board

  • “Glamping” situation with bed
    • Limited private cabin upgrades available for $500 per month
  • Plant-based community dinners Monday-Thursday
  • Food staples and garden produce available for use
  • Shared bathhouse with hot showers and flushing toilets

Meet Your Instructors

Mickey Kleinhenz

Land/Maintenance Lead

Mickey is the Land Manager, Work trade Director, Permaculture Designer, Arborist, Nurseryman, Head Gardener, Food Forest Monkey Magician of Rainbow Bridge. He leads the land and garden projects.

Mickey is looking for a work trader who:

  • Has a strong work ethic and is physically capable of scything, shoveling, string trimming, and carrying objects over 40lbs.
  • Takes direction well and asks clarifying questions to ensure effective communication.
  • Is pro-active toward service and finding ways to support.
  • Enjoys harvesting and processing food.
  • Is able to work alone or in groups.
  • Is excited to learn about plants and Permaculture through doing.

Tosh Todorov

Building/Construction Lead

Tosh is the building and construction lead at Rainbow Bridge Hawaii. With a background in hands-on construction management and design, he joined the community to put his skills toward more meaningful, values-driven work.

Tosh is looking for a work trader who:

  • Has experience or competency in general construction, carpentry, natural building, or plumbing.
  • Follows direction well, but also brings thoughtful initiative and strong follow-through.
  • Demonstrates a positive, adaptable, and team-oriented attitude.
  • Is capable of working both independently and in collaboration with others.
  • Is open to living in a shared, mostly off-grid setting with an emphasis on intentional living.
  • Additional skills in welding, finish carpentry, lime plaster, or artistic detailing are highly valued.
Apply Now on Our Google Form!

Frequently Asked Questions

We are happy to arrange rides to and from the airport for a small fee and some of our community members are also open to renting out their vehicles. With community we usually have enough resources to meet most needs.

Yes. The goal is to hold a structure strong enough to support learning and our existing systems while also accomodating needs and desires. We will find the win-win in most situations.

20 hours a week. There will be a variety of projects and tasks in either the land or build circle. Much of it is side by side with Mickey or Tosh, but there will also be specific tasks interns take ownership of.

There is an additional ~5 hours per week for community service tasks (e.g. shared cleaning, dinner prep, group check-ins)

The work will often involve things such as digging, cutting, and moving materials. Applicants should be able to lift 45lbs and be comfortable getting sweaty and dirty.

3-5 interns at any given time, and there are around 8-10 long-term residents at Rainbow Bridge.

We eat Vegetarian(mostly vegan) meals. A lot of food comes from the land and we supplement with staples like rice, oats, pasta, etc. We have a well stocked pantry and every weeknight there is a community dinner prepared by different members of the community.

Rainbow Bridge Hawai'i

This website, rainbowbridgehawaii.com, is owned and operated by Manoloa Inc, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization registered in the United States.

32-1091 Hawaii Belt Road
Ninole, HI 96773-0000
[email protected]

Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

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