This BLAST trip takes a multidisciplinary approach to community work in the uniquely diverse Hawaiian Islands. This year, students will work under the supervision of the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation (NHLC) and Legal Aid Society of Hawai’i’s Immigrant Justice Center (HIJC). While we take preferences into account, we cannot guarantee that students will be placed with a particular organization. At NHLC, students may work on a variety of cases affecting Native Hawaiian cultural and land rights. At HIJC, students will engage in direct service and/or research to support under-resourced clients, such as immigrants from COFA nations or those who’ve experienced domestic violence. Throughout the year, students will be trained to engage in culturally competent and human-centered pro bono work. We look forward to working with you!
Time Commitment: The estimated time commitment over two semesters is about 60 hours: about 10 hours for readings/official team meetings, about 6 hours of miscellaneous training and activities, and the entire Spring Break (3/21-3/29) during which students will work about 40 hours. Between meetings, there will be assignments designed to familiarize participants with the history, current events, and legal issues prevalent in Hawai’i, focusing on issues facing Native Hawaiians. In the spring semester, we will complete any training materials that our partner organizations assign.
For more information, please contact the student leaders at blasttohawaii@berkeley.edu.