Huʻeaʻo Student Experiences at NHLC

Part of the kuleana of all attorneys is to contribute to the development of rising lawyers, and developing the rising generation of indigenous rights advocates is one of NHLC’s strategic priorities.

NHLC hosts legal and undergraduate interns each summer in addition to regularly hosting students for short term service trips, pro bono projects, and externships throughout the year.

How to Apply

NHLC participates in the fall and spring on campus interview processes at the University of Hawaiʻi Richardson School of Law.

NHLC also accepts applications from students across the country for summer work and other experiences during the school year, i.e., for externships and service projects. Applications for students or programs looking to do short term service projects may contact NHLC at any time during the year.

For summer and semester internships, NHLC begins accepting applications starting in January of each year. However, for the summer program, NHLC recommends that students send in their application materials as early as possible after applications open. Deadlines are outlined in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section. Applicants should send their application materials to StudentProgramsMgmt@nhlchi.org. Applications should include a resume, most recent transcript, and a cover letter explaining:

  • why you are interested in working at NHLC,
  • relevant experiences that have lead you to an interest in NHLC,
  • the kind of work you are interested in doing at NHLC,
  • the type of experience you are seeking, e.g., summer internship, externship, short term service project, etc.,
  • your preferred dates for your work at NHLC, and
  • whether you have public interest funding support from your school or a different program to support your student experience. This is not required, but helpful to understand.

FAQs

NHLC accepts applications starting in January 1st of each year and makes offers on a rolling basis until we reach the maximum amount of students that we can accommodate. There is not a fixed number each year. Capacity depends upon financial resources, physical space, and capacity for supervision on the team.

For summers, the Friday of the second week of March will be the cut off for all application materials. For Fall, the cut off for materials is the Friday of the second week in May, and for Spring, the Friday of the second week in October. NHLC has hosted classes composed of more than 10 students including law school and undergraduate students.

Due to deeply constrained resources, in most years NHLC only has funding to support 1 to 3 paid intern positions. Most frequently, if students are not receiving one of NHLC’s few paid intern roles, students who summer at NHLC receive financial support from their own law school’s public interest summer funding program. In some instances, students receive credit or work at NHLC to satisfy required volunteer hours to meet graduation requirements, and in those situations they are not usually paid.

No, interns are responsible for securing their own housing. NHLC is happy to provide interns with information regarding resources that may be helpful in securing housing.

Yes, NHLC frequently hosts students during the school year completing externships, required volunteer service hours for graduation, or participating in special service projects, e.g., spring break service experiences. Contact us to discuss options for in-school year experiences at NHLC.

No, many students travel to Hawaiʻi for student learning and work experiences at NHLC. Though NHLC does not have the resources to fund that travel, so long as a student wants and can make the journey, primary residence in Hawaiʻi is not required. That said, NHLC prefers for students to have a demonstrated interest in indigenous rights, and specific experience with Native Hawaiian rights is beneficial.

Most law student summer interns have at least 1 year of law school experience behind them when they come to NHLC, and they complete legal assignments appropriate for their readiness. Student assignments for both law and undergraduate interns are kept in a database. Though urgent assignments are sometimes offered to students in person, individually or in meetings, most assignments are put into the database and students are provided the opportunity to select their projects based on their capacity and interest. All assignments are completed under the supervision of a staff attorney. Assignments vary widely from traditional research and writing, opportunities to shadow and assist with client engagement and case proceedings, and opportunities to develop and implement firm policies and processes, as examples.

An important part of NHLC’s summer program is also the opportunity for students to participate in traditional and cultural practices. Those experiences can vary from workshops to learn language, chants, crafts, farming practices, and more.

News + Insights

  • Published On: May 21, 2025
    NHLC Welcomes its Huʻeaʻo Summer Class of 2025

    The Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation welcomes its 2025 Summer Students! NHLC’s Huʻeaʻo experiential learning program welcomes undergraduate, law, and other graduate students throughout the year. Most are with NHLC during the summer. ...

  • Published On: May 29, 2024
    NHLC Welcomes its Huʻeaʻo Summer Intern Class of 2024

    The Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation welcomes its 2024 Summer Students! NHLC’s experiential learning program welcomes undergraduate, law, and other graduate students throughout the year. Most are with NHLC during the summer. NHLC’s ...