Quick Facts:
More than
Full-time employees
Rated among the top
High-tech companies in Hawai‘i
Over
%
PDC staff recruited through internships
Careers and Culture
Fuel your passion for innovation and public service by working with a leading tech organization that routinely pushes the limits of lifesaving possibility. For 30 years, Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) has been a pioneer in the innovation of early warning technologies, exercise scenario design, advanced analytics, and risk reduction science and research. Headquartered in Hawai‘i, PDC is regarded as a global leader in risk reduction and resilience-enhancing tools—a reputation built on the dedication and expertise of our team from across disaster management, technology, academic, and scientific disciplines. The Center’s products and services support the most demanding government customers, international, regional, and nongovernmental organizations worldwide in reducing risk and building safer, more resilient communities. As an applied science and research center managed by the University of Hawai‘i, we are always experimenting with new technologies, including applications for artificial intelligence in hazard alerting, monitoring, and predictive risk analytics. Our products benefit public users, government, humanitarian, and private sector decision makers. To learn about job opportunities with PDC, visit the Research Corporation of the University of Hawai‘i site at www.rcuh.com or through our LinkedIn postings.
Internships
PDC provides mentored internship opportunities to self-motivated students who take pride in their work, have a passion for learning, and a commitment to problem-solving. Our internships allow individuals to apply learned skills and theory to real-world problems.
If you are interested in applying for an internship with PDC, please review the programs below to see if there is a good match. You should also examine the criteria for a direct internship before submitting your resume with the link below.
Programs Available
Akamai Workforce Initiative
Offered to college students in Hawaii. Applications accepted in November. Please check the site for details.
https://akamaihawaii.org/interning/
University of Hawai‘i Student Employment & Cooperative Education (SECE)
Available only to college students within the UH system. PDC posts internship position descriptions to this site.
https://sece.its.hawaii.edu/sece/login
CareerLink – UH Maui College Cooperative (Co-Op) Education program
Available only to UH-MC students. Please check the site for details.
http://maui.hawaii.edu/careerlink/
Ke Alahele Program
Offered through Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) internship program
http://www.medb.org/programs/education-to-workforce/ke-alahele-education-fund/
Direct Internships
Direct internships with PDC are also available on an as-needed basis. Please inquire per the guidelines below.
Internship Criteria
- All internships are based on the island of Maui in Hawaii. PDC does not support internships outside of Maui.
- All internship programs are paid internships. However, we do not offer relocation or housing support.
- Technical internships are for summer undergraduate and graduate students. Communications internships are offered year-round.
- U.S. Citizenship is not required, however:
- Candidates MUST have permission to work in the U.S. for the duration of internship; and
- PDC does NOT sponsor visas for international students.
- Long-term internships (for graduate students) may be as long as 6 months. Candidates must submit a resume as part of the submission. Areas of interest for internship may also be submitted.
- For PDC’s direct internship program, the applicant must submit a resume. Area(s) of interest for internship may also be submitted. Internship is contingent upon need and availability.
Skills We Need
Over the years, interns have made valuable contributions to PDC projects and activities with such skills as:
Computer or GIS skills and literacy
- Computer programming (C++, Java, Jscript, …)
- Scripting (PHP, Python, Shell, …)
- Web/App development (HTML, CSS, JSON, …)
- AI experience and/or interest
- GIS (data processing, visualization, …)
- Imagery and/or Image analysis
- Physical sciences and/or modeling
- Data analysis and/or statistics
Communications or design skills and literacy
- Public relations, communications, content development experience
- Web UX / UI design principles
- Graphic design using latest Adobe products
- Video editing
- Marketing copy development
- Social media content management
Follow Us
A low-pressure system off the Southeast U.S. coast is forecast to bring heavy rain, strong winds, shallow coastal flooding, dangerous rip currents, and large surf to the Mid-Atlantic over the next few days.
Shown here is an animation from DisasterAWARE’s ‘Precipitation Forecast (USA)’ layer, displaying potential rainfall in 6-hour increments from 0200 EST on 15 September to 2000 EST 16 September.
Stay alert and monitor DisasterAWARE for hazards threatening your area:
- Download the free Disaster Alert app, available on Google Play and the iOS App Store (Search "Disaster Alert" in the app stores)
- Are you a Disaster Manager? Access DisasterAWARE Pro!
Learn more at pdc.org/DisasterAWARE
#DisasterAWARE #DisasterAlert #flood #flooding #flashflood #rain #raining #storm #severestorm #hazard #weather #UnitedStates #America #surf #outerbanks #eastcoast #southcarolina #northcarolina #virginia #maryland #DC #Delaware
Congratulations—and a big Mahalo (thank you!)—to our friends and colleagues throughout Europe who participated in NATO's premier emergency management exercise, "Bulgaria 2025," held in Montana, Bulgaria from 7–11 September!
PDC supported regional partners, including 1,200 participants from three dozen countries, using DisasterAWARE Pro (pdc.org/DisasterAWARE). The Center provided visualizations and impact assessments to support both the design and real-time execution of the exercise simulating a complex, multi-impact earthquake.
Well done to everyone involved in making this a success!
#SaferWorld #EarlyWarningforAll #DisasterAWARE #Exercise #DisasterPreparedness #Bulgaria #NATO #Europe #Bulgaria2025 NATO
Sending Aloha to our partners in Argentina!
Last week, PDC trained 43 responders from Neuquén’s emergency, fire, and medical services on DisasterAWARE—boosting local capacity to manage crises and strengthen preparedness using advanced analytics, early warning, and insights from the National Disaster Preparedness Baseline Assessment (NDPBA) to enhance preparedness, planning, and decision-making. This effort, part of a broader SOUTHCOM initiative in Peru and Argentina, builds resilience beyond national capitals, advances operational emergency management capabilities and strengthens partner nations’ capacity to respond to humanitarian crises.
We also provided DisasterAWARE training to the Argentine military, including the Antarctic Command, in Buenos Aires. Training focused on operational planning and response using DisasterAWARE and NDPBA data, and supports SOUTHCOM's mission to provide contingency planning, operations, and security cooperation in South America—ensuring regional security and stability.
PDC’s partnership with Argentina began in 2018 through the NDPBA and continues to grow today (learn more at pdc.org/NDPBA).
#SaferWorld #Argentina #EarlyWarningforAll #NDPBA #DisasterPreparedness #Preparedeness #Training #DisasterAWARE
U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)
Embajada de Estados Unidos en Argentina
Secretaría de Emergencias y Gestión del Riesgo
Kiko, now a Category 1 hurricane, is anticipated to pass north of the Hawaiian Islands on Tuesday and Wednesday. While the risk of direct impacts is decreasing, life-threatening surf and rip currents remain possible. PDC remains in close support and coordination with state and county partners.
Here is the latest update from the animated 'Winds (Surface Velocity & Forecast)' layer in DisasterAWARE, showing Kiko’s potential movement as it continues a weakening trend while passing north of the state. Animation times are shown in UTC (Coordinated Universal Time).
Continue to monitor DisasterAWARE for updates with each new advisory, as well as for other hazards threatening your area!
>>> Download the free Disaster Alert app, available on Google Play and the iOS App Store (Search "Disaster Alert" in the app stores)
>>> Are you a Disaster Manager? Access DisasterAWARE Pro at DisasterAWARE.pdc.org
Learn more at pdc.org/DisasterAWARE
#SaferWorld #EarlyWarningforAll #DisasterAWARE#DisasterAlert #HurricaneKiko #Hawaii #Hurricane #Pacific#Flood #Weather #Rain #Storm
Hawaii Emergency Management Agency
Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency
Maui County Emergency Management Agency
Honolulu Department of Emergency Management
County of Kaua'i
Hawaii Red Cross
Kiko has weakened to a Category 3 hurricane and is forecast to approach Hawaii in the early to middle part of next week. While it is still too early to determine the exact impacts to the state, impacts from wind and rain are possible. Swells could reach the islands toward the end of this week, producing life-threatening surf and rip currents.
Stay safe and stay informed — monitor DisasterAWARE for updates with each new advisory, as well as for other hazards threatening your area!
>>> Download the free Disaster Alert app, available on Google Play and the iOS App Store (Search "Disaster Alert" in the app stores)
>>> Are you a Disaster Manager? Access DisasterAWARE Pro at DisasterAWARE.pdc.org
Learn more at pdc.org/DisasterAWARE
#SaferWorld #EarlyWarningforAll #DisasterAWARE #DisasterAlert #HurricaneKiko #Hawaii #Hurricane #Pacific #Flood #Weather #Rain #Storm
Hawaii Emergency Management Agency
Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency
Maui County Emergency Management Agency
Honolulu Department of Emergency Management
County of Kaua'i
Hawaii Red Cross
Kiko, currently a Category 4 hurricane, is forecast to approach the Hawaiian Islands in the early to middle part of next week. While it is still too early to determine the exact impacts to the state, there is an increasing risk of wind and rain impacts. Continue to monitor DisasterAWARE for updates with each advisory, including potential impacts as Kiko nears the islands.
Further to the east, Tropical Storm Lorena continues to impact Baja California Sur and Sonora, Mexico, with heavy rainfall, increasing the risk of life-threatening flash floods and mudslides across northwestern Mexico.
We're also closely monitoring a tropical disturbance (AL91) in the eastern Atlantic that is gradually becoming better organized. It has a 60% (medium) chance of developing into a tropical cyclone within the next 2 days, and a 90% (high) chance over the next 7 days. The system could approach the Leeward Islands by the middle of next week.
Stay safe and stay informed — monitor DisasterAWARE for updates with each advisory, as well as for other hazards threatening your area!
>>> Download the free Disaster Alert app, available on Google Play and the iOS App Store (Search "Disaster Alert" in the app stores)
>>> Are you a Disaster Manager? Access DisasterAWARE Pro at DisasterAWARE.pdc.org
Learn more at pdc.org/DisasterAWARE
#SaferWorld #EarlyWarningforAll #DisasterAWARE #DisasterAlert #HurricaneKiko #Hawaii #Hurricane #Mexico #Atlantic #Pacific #Flood #Weather #Rain #Storm
Keeping a close eye on Hurricane Kiko in the Eastern Pacific as it continues to strengthen while moving toward the Central Pacific. While it's still too early to determine any potential impacts to the Hawaiian Islands, Kiko is expected to cross into the Central Pacific by the end of this week.
In the far Eastern Pacific, Tropical Depression Twelve-E has formed off the coast of Mexico. It is forecast to bring heavy rainfall to northwestern parts of the country, including Baja California Sur, with the potential for significant flash flooding. Included in the DisasterAWARE screenshot is the newly added "Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Forecast (5-Day) (HAFS)" layer, showing potential cumulative rainfall along the forecast track.
Meanwhile, we also continue to monitor the far eastern Atlantic, where a tropical disturbance located south of Cabo Verde currently has a 70% (high) chance of developing into a depression over the next 7 days.
Stay safe and stay informed — monitor DisasterAWARE for updates with each advisory, as well as for other hazards threatening your area!
>>> Download the free Disaster Alert app, available on Google Play and the iOS App Store (Search "Disaster Alert" in the app stores)
>>> Are you a Disaster Manager? Access DisasterAWARE Pro at DisasterAWARE.pdc.org
Learn more at pdc.org/DisasterAWARE
#SaferWorld #EarlyWarningforAll #DisasterAWARE #DisasterAlert #HurricaneKiko #Hawaii #Hurricane #Mexico #Atlantic #Pacific #Flood #Weather #Rain #Storm
Don’t let hazards catch you off-guard—stay ahead and stay informed! Get alerts on tropical cyclones and other hazards threatening your area.
Download the Disaster Alert app—available on Google Play and the iOS App Store. (Search “Disaster Alert” in the app store.)
Are you an Emergency Management or Humanitarian Assistance professional? Request your free DisasterAWARE Pro account today.
>>> Learn more at: pdc.org/DisasterAWARE
>>> DisasterAWARE is the #1 award-winning early warning and risk intelligence technology trusted by disaster managers worldwide.
#EarlyWarningforAll #SaferWorld #DisasterAlert #hurricane #volcano #fire #flood #tsunami #earthquake #disaster #hazard #landslide #tornado #winterstorm #storm #wildfire #weather
Keeping a close eye on multiple areas of potential cyclone development, in the Central and Eastern Pacific.
Shown in the DisasterAWARE Pro screenshots are the “Tropical Weather 7 Day Forecast” and animated “Rainfall Accumulation – IMERG (3 Hour)” layers.
>>> A system well south-southwest of the Baja California Peninsula has a high (80%) chance of development within the next 7 days, and a tropical depression is likely to form this weekend.
>>> Another disturbance off the coast of southern Mexico has a medium (40%) chance of development over the next 7 days, with a tropical depression possibly forming by mid next week.
>>> A disturbance far to the south of Hawaii has a low (0%) chance of development as it continues westward.
Receive alerts, view updates, and access key layers and information on hazards threatening your area — all through DisasterAWARE!
>>> Learn more at pdc.org/DisasterAWARE
#EarlyWarningforAll #SaferWorld #Tropical #Weather #Hurricane #Storm #Hazard #Hawaii #Mexico #Pacific
Firefighters are working hard to contain the Flat Fire northeast of Sisters, Oregon, which has burned over 21,900 acres with only 5% containment. Over 3,900 structures are threatened.
The DisasterAWARE screenshot displays the latest satellite-detected wildfire hotspots and perimeter data, along with critical infrastructure layers. For additional insights—such as wind speed and direction, terrain, and air quality—access DisasterAWARE!
>>> Download the free Disaster Alert app, available on Google Play and the iOS App Store (Search "Disaster Alert" in the app stores)
>>> Are you a Disaster Manager? Access DisasterAWARE Pro at DisasterAWARE.pdc.org
Learn more at pdc.org/DisasterAWARE
#SaferWorld #DisasterAWARE #DisasterAlert #EarlyWarningforAll #Oregon #wildfire #fire
Oregon Department of Forestry
Deschutes County
Tropical storm conditions from Hurricane Erin continue to impact parts of the Outer Banks of North Carolina and are expected to reach the Virginia coast today. Storm surge (2-4 ft) and large waves are causing flooding, significant beach erosion, and overwash along the Outer Banks.
Tropical storm-force wind gusts may impact additional areas of the U.S. Mid-Atlantic and southern New England coasts through early tomorrow. Bermuda could also experience tropical storm conditions from this afternoon through early tomorrow.
We are continuing to keep a close eye on two areas of potential cyclone development in the Atlantic.
>>>> Disturbance east of the Leeward Islands: A disturbance located a few hundred miles east of the Leeward Islands is anticipated to form over the weekend as it moves near or north of the islands. (40% chance of development over the next 2 days; 70% chance over the next 7 days)
>>>> Invest 99L (west/southwest of Cabo Verde): Invest 99L, located several hundred miles west-southwest of Cabo Verde, has a 40% chance of development over the next 7 days. A short-lived tropical depression could form; however, conditions are expected to become less favorable for further development.
Continue to monitor DisasterAWARE for updates on Erin and other hazards threating your area:
- Download the free Disaster Alert app, available on Google Play and the iOS App Store (Search "Disaster Alert" in the app stores)
- Are you a Disaster Manager? Access DisasterAWARE Pro!
Learn more at pdc.org/DisasterAWARE
#SaferWorld #earlywarningforall #HurricaneErin #hurricane #storm #weather
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
American Red Cross
U.S. Northern Command
The National Guard
Tropical storm conditions and life-threatening storm surge (2–4 ft), including large waves, are expected to begin impacting the Outer Banks of North Carolina later today. Tropical storm conditions could affect southeastern Virginia by tomorrow, and Bermuda on Thursday and Friday.
Life-threatening surf and rip currents continue to pose a serious danger to The Bahamas, much of the U.S. East Coast, Bermuda, and the Atlantic Coast of Canada through the coming days.
PDC remains in close coordination and support of national and regional partners responding to Hurricane Erin. Continue to monitor DisasterAWARE for updates on Erin with each new advisory:
- Download the free Disaster Alert app, available on Google Play and the iOS App Store (Search "Disaster Alert" in the app stores)
- Are you a Disaster Manager? Access DisasterAWARE Pro!
Learn more at pdc.org/DisasterAWARE
#SaferWorld #earlywarningforall #HurricaneErin #hurricane #storm #weather
DRM Authority
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
CDEMA - Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency
American Red Cross
U.S. Northern Command
The National Guard