Learn More About ʻĀinaQuest
Who are they?
ʻĀinaQuest is a Kanaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian)-led social impact game studio based in Honolulu, HI. Rooted in the Hawaiian worldview of ʻāina (land) as a living entity, they create fun culturally-grounded games that merge ancestral knowledge practices with pop culture elements. Their mission is to address plant blindness and foster a deeper connection to the environment through games. Their first game is a “pick-and-pass” card game about native vs. invasive plants in the Waikīkī ahupuaʻa (land division). They are a passionate team of 8 who love to play games, learn about plants, and believe in the power of games to create positive change. Learn more about them at: https://ainaquest.com/
What projects might I work on?
ʻĀinaQuest is seeking a highly motivated and talented undergraduate intern to help them with a high-impact project that will significantly contribute to their growth and mission.
ʻĀinaQuest believes in empowering their interns, so they offer a choice between ftheir distinct project tracks, allowing the intern to select or refine a project that best aligns with their talents, interests, and growth goals. Each track is designed as a high-impact project for the ftheir-week period, culminating in a final showcase presentation.
Project Options:
1. Strategic Growth and Product Roadmap: Help ʻĀinaQuest chart the future of ʻĀinaQuest! This project is perfect for a student interested in product management, strategy, and social entrepreneurship. The intern would conduct market research, competitor analysis, and strategic planning to help ʻĀinaQuest develop a concrete roadmap for their next product launch. The final deliverable would be a strategic report and visual roadmap outlining their future growth.
2. Operational Systems Design: Help ʻĀinaQuest optimize their internal operations to prepare for future growth! This project is perfect for a systems-thinker who loves to build and optimize operations, and see a tangible impact on their internal efficiency. The intern would analyze their current workflows, conduct a needs assessment, and design a more robust and scalable project management system using their existing Notion database. This would include creating templates, automating processes, and establishing clear protocols for their team to streamline their workflows for content creation, product development, and team collaboration.
3. New Game Mechanics & Product Prototype: Help ʻĀinaQuest design the next product for ʻĀinaQuest! This project is ideal for creative problem-solvers with an interest in game design and user experience. The intern would brainstorm, design, and playtest new game mechanics for a future expansion or an entirely new product idea. They would work on a small-scale prototype (either physical or digital) to test a new concept and present findings on its feasibility and potential for player engagement.
4. Choose Your Own Adventure: Have an idea you’re passionate about that doesn’t fit into one of their existing tracks? ʻĀinaQuest is open to an intern pitching their own project proposal. This track is for a self-starter who has an innovative idea that aligns with ʻĀinaQuest’s mission. We will work with you to refine their proposal into a high-impact, four-week project with clear goals and deliverables.
The intern’s work will be a critical part of our journey as a social enterprise and will have a lasting impact on our organization and the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a supportive and culturally sensitive learning environment where the intern can thrive, and we look for that same level of enthusiasm in return.
What will working on projects look like?
The intern’s duties will vary slightly depending on the chosen project, but generally, they will involve:
- Conducting in-depth research and analysis relevant to their project (e.g., market trends, user needs, system best practices, game design principles).
- Designing and developing solutions (e.g., strategic frameworks, optimized Notion workflows, game prototypes).
- Collaborating closely with the ʻĀinaQuest co-founders and team members, providing regular updates and incorporating feedback.
- Documenting their work clearly and comprehensively.
- Preparing and delivering a final showcase presentation, highlighting their contributions and insights.
What could I expect to learn from this experience?
Through this experience, students can expect to learn:
- Real-world application of academic skills: Applying critical thinking, research, and problem-solving to a dynamic social enterprise.
- Insights into social entrepreneurship: Understanding the challenges and rewards of building a mission-driven organization.
- Practical project management and operational optimization techniques: Gaining hands-on experience in streamlining workflows and building scalable systems.
- Product development lifecycle: From ideation and strategy to prototyping and user feedback.
- Cultural sensitivity and Indigenous perspectives: Working within a Kanaka ʻŌiwi-led organization and contributing to culturally-grounded initiatives.
- Remote collaboration and independent work management: Essential skills for today’s professional landscape.
What skills are they looking for in a strong candidate?
The ideal qualifications for this position are:
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills: For dissecting complex problems and proposing data-driven solutions.
- Excellent research abilities: To gather insights for market analysis, strategic planning, or game design.
- Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Notion): Or a quick ability to learn new systems for operational optimization.
- Design thinking and prototyping skills: For developing new game concepts or digital features.
- Strong communication skills (written and verbal): For presenting findings, collaborating with the team, and documenting work.
- Self-motivation and ability to work independently: As this is a remote internship.
- An interest in social impact, education, or game development: A genuine connection to our mission will make this experience even more rewarding!
Beyond these skills, ʻĀinaQuest is looking for someone who also:
- Loves dogs
- Is interested in learning about native plants and Hawaiian culture (you don’t need to be an expert!)
- Has a growth mindset and a genuine curiosity to learn
- Believes in the power of games to create positive change
- Has a creative and playful spirit
We’re incredibly excited about the possibility of hosting an MIT intern. We’re committed to making this a truly impactful and supportive experience and understand that every student has unique talents and aspirations. Our team is eager to tailor this internship to best match the intern’s interests and goals. We can’t wait to see the innovative ideas and fresh perspectives you’ll bring!
Please Note: This is a fully remote internship and our team operates on Hawaiʻi Time (HST). There is a five-hour difference from Eastern Time (EST); for example, if we have a meeting at 10:00am HST, it would be 3:00pm in Boston.
Note: Applications for IAP 2026 will open on Monday, August 25th, and close on Friday, October 17th!
