Aloha kākou!
Eye-opening. Meaningful. Inspiring. Diverse. Rewarding. Unforgettable. These are some of the words that cohort fellows used to describe their Movers and Shakas experience.
We recently completed our inaugural journey with our first cohort of Movers and Shakas, co-creating the program together while navigating COVID uncertainty. Selected from nearly 90,000 applicants, our 50 cohort fellows came from around the country to continue their full-time remote jobs while building personal relationships, contributing their professional skills to local nonprofits, learning about Hawaii’s unique culture and getting dirty in group work days around Oahu. We’re incredibly grateful for our sponsors, especially the CPB Foundation, for helping to create a new program for a more sustainable and resilient Hawaiʻi.
As a returning kama’aina (local resident) myself, I experienced awe and wonder alongside the first cohort while reconnecting to Hawaii in new and unexpected ways, including stomping in the muddy taro patches at Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi, marveling at what the land can teach us at Huilua Fishpond and reflecting on what it means to be a local with University of Hawaii Professor Jon Okamura.
Our fellows volunteered their expertise to build websites, create marketing strategies, craft business plans and mentor students to support local nonprofits and startups. Many of our participants continue to work with their volunteer partner organizations!
We’re excited to build on the success from Cohort 1 and will soon open applications for Cohort 2 on June 21st for an October start! We learned a lot from our pilot and are making changes to have a greater impact on Hawaiʻi, encourage deeper connections and adapt to the evolutions of remote work. Apply to join us for a rewarding immersion into Hawaiʻi – check out our updated website and read below for full details. I look forward to welcoming you here!
This program provides a uniquely engaging and rewarding immersion into Hawaii to experience its culture and learn more about its leadership in key areas such as sustainability. Want to join us? Check out the Apply page to get involved. Looking forward to welcoming you to Hawaii!
Mahalo nui,
Nicole Lim
Director, Movers and Shakas