Requirements for Volunteers and Costs

The desirable candidates must have a positive attitude, a strong willingness to learn and be "coach-able".

Participants are typically from 25 to 65 years of age.

The minimum stay for the volunteer program is 4 weeks, but can be up to 8 weeks. We ask that you be available to volunteer 4 days/ week, from 6 to 10 hours/day.

Swimming is not a necessity for a candidate, but basic swim skills are required for any in-water activities.

Scuba certification is not required; nor does it make you more attractive as an applicant.

If you are interested in SCUBA certification, we strongly encourage you to do the swimming pool and book work at a local PADI dive shop before you come to Hawaii, but we prefer to do the actual open water certification dives here.

Every volunteer has to have their own Health Insurance while participating in the program.

There is no charge for the volunteer program, however there are expenses for housing & food,  a flat fee for excursions,  scuba classes, scuba gear rental and transportation associated with participation in the volunteer program.

Costs

Housing, Food and Excursions:

We provide our volunteers with accommodations in the same building with the editing studio. The ocean is about 15 minutes away by car or scooter. We have two dorm-style bedrooms, a separate bathroom, an outdoor kitchen and a huge sun deck with ocean view.

Cost for Housing, Food and Excursions

4 week program     $ 3.000 6 week program     $ 4.000 8 week program     $ 6.000

These prices include a $ 500 excursion fee/4-week program, which guarantees 2 boat charters/week with our professional photographers as they capture stunning underwater imagery of wildlife. Ocean participation is possible on most boat charters.

(Check out this comparison chart from one of our former participants showing the cost of living in Hawaii.)

Scuba Classes:

Check out the curriculum with the scuba classes that we offer. You will find detailed information about each course from entry to advanced level.

Scuba Gear Rental:

If volunteers elect to scuba dive and don't have scuba gear, we will charge a gear-rental fee of $ 25/day of diving for wetsuit, regulator, BC's, fins, mask and snorkel.

Transportation:

No transportation is necessary to and from work, because you live close to the studio, which is the starting point for every excursion.
You will need a car or scooter during your stay to get to various places in your leisure time. We live 15 minutes from the ocean and downtown. For longer trips around the island, you will need your own transportation.

Payment:

50 % of the amount of the program is due and payable 60 days in advance of your program (by cashiers check, money order, wire transfer or PayPal). The other 50 % is due and payable 30 days before your start date.
Once we receive the first part of the payment we will send you an orientation pack including information on how to prepare for your trip to Hawaii as well as material for your courses.

Deposit:

Once you are accepted, we require a $ 300 deposit to reserve your slot, which will be applied to the total costs.
Please note that the deposit is nonrefundable; however, it may be transferable should you no longer be able to participate in your scheduled time frame.

Cancellation Fee:

If you cancel within the 30-day window, there is a $ 500 fee.

Application Fee:

In addition, we charge a non-refundable application fee of $ 25 for every individual who wants to be considered for participation in our volunteer program. The $ 25 application fee separates those that are serious about coming to Hawaii and those that may simply be curious about it.


Once you have submitted your online application and you are selected, you will be sent briefing materials listing further details of our current projects and suggested background reading material to fully prepare you for your volunteer program. You then make travel arrangements (at your own expense) to coincide with the start date of your program. Your application will tell us if you intend to participate in any of our SCUBA certification programs.