A’koa’koa Foundation, a non-profit (501c3) organization located on the Big Island, is soliciting applications for Summer 2024 internships/scholarships that will enable high school students to obtain a PADI Open Water SCUBA Certification.

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The A’koa’koa Foundation expects to fund up to three scholarships for Summer 2024. Completion of the program will yield fully-qualified certification by PADI, the largest diving certification agency in the world.

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Students will have options to continue their study for more advanced certifications (e.g., Advanced Diver, Rescue Diver, etc.) beyond this program.

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A PADI Open Water certification opens potential careers to students who wish to progress to PADI Divemaster or Instructor certifications and is a valuable adjunct to careers in marine sciences, ecology, and tourism. It also opens up the world’s ocean ecosystems for exploration.

 

Qualifications and Requirements:

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1. Ability to swim and comfort in the marine environment

2. Hawaiian heritage, if applicable. 

3. Enrollment in Grades 9-12 in a Big Island-based high school

4. Positive personal attributes and desire to learn

5. No medical conditions that would prevent students from success

6. Parental or Guardian permission

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The A’koa’koa Foundation will solicit applications in May and June of 2024 and will select three students for its summer program. The schedule will not be full-time but will be designed to work around students’ summer schedules.

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The three components of a PADI Open Water program will include:

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1. Completion of a self-directed online PADI-sponsored training program (about 10 hours)

2. Completion of an in-pool session to learn basic SCUBA skills (5 hours) with a PADI instructor

3. Completion of four dives in the ocean supervised by a certified PADI instructor (12 hours)

 

Sound easy? Are you interested? To apply, please send the following information to Dr. Neil Forsberg at neil4sberg@gmail.com by June 15, 2024 (either answer in an email or fill out on the reverse and respond to the same email):

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• Name:

• Age (including birthdate):

• Hawaiian connection, if applicable:

• Current high school:

• Planned career (not essential it be marine-related):

• Swimming/marine-related experience:

• Dates or availability during Summer 2024:

• Name of parent or guardian with their contact information (phone, email):

• Name of one teacher or other person with whom you have worked (reference) with contact info:

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Applications will be assessed on the “quality” of responses, contact with referee/teacher, and parent/guardian support.

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The Ocean Is For Everyone.