JOB SUMMARY

The Ho'okipa Ambassador II (Guest Experience Facilitator) Supports the artistic vision, guest experience, cultural integrity, and overall quality of Sea Life Park Hawai'i's live entertainment offerings. This multifaceted role primarily serves as a trained handler for the Honu Ocean Ambassador character mascot and as a show greeter, while also supporting in-park cultural curation, cultural demonstrations, and guest education. The Ho'okipa Ambassador II leads educational tours and delivers educational lectures or presentations about Hawai'i. Upon audition and approval by the Show Director, the Ho'okipa Ambassador II may also perform in Sea Life Park entertainment offerings.

DUTIES, RESPONSIBIITIES, & EXPECTATIONS

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: Assist with daily entertainment operations, including rehearsals, staging, blocking, performances, and Honu character meet-and-greets. Welcome guests warmly and provide accurate information regarding entertainment schedules, timing, and park information.

Line & Crowd Management :

Monitor wait times, safely pace lines, and use friendly story based verbal cues to close or redirect queues without causing guest friction.

Performer Advocacy :

Serve as the eyes, ears, and primary voice for character performers by monitoring guest interactions, environmental hazards, and performer distress signals. Communicate promptly and take appropriate action to pause, modify, or end a character appearance when safety or performer well-being may be compromised.

Photo Coordination :

Assist with guest positioning for photo opportunities and offer assistance with personal cameras or smart devices.

Cultural Curation & Demonstrations :

Assist with the development, coordination, and presentation of culturally appropriate in-park experiences and demonstrations that share Hawaiian culture, traditions, values, and storytelling with guest.

Educational Tours & Lectures :

Lead or assist with educational tours, talks, lectures, and guest presentations about Hawai'i, including its culture, history, traditions, natural environment, and relationship to the ocean, in alignment with approved park content and cultural guidance.

Guest Education & Interpretation :

Engage guests through accurate, respectful, and compelling interpretation, adapting cultural and educational content for audiences of different ages, backgrounds, and levels of familiarity with Hawai'i. Performer Duties Upon approval of the Show Director, rehearse and perform assigned tracks as professional talent within Sea Life Park entertainment offerings. Maintain strong character integrity, vocal and physical stamina, and professional artistic delivery. Receive and incorporate direction regarding blocking, choreography, scripts, and performance standards. Cultural, Conservation, & Mascot Integrity Maintain respect, humility, and accuracy regarding Hawaiian cultural traditions, hula, and storytelling. Support the curation and presentation of in-park cultural programming in collaboration with park leadership, cultural practitioners, and other designated subject-matter experts, as appropriate. Present educational and cultural content about Hawai'i with care, accuracy, and cultural sensitivity, following approved interpretive materials and guidance. Adhere to Honu Ocean Ambassador character guidelines and protect the 'magic' and brand integrity at all times. Support conservation, education, marine life rescue, and environmental stewardship messaging. Work with education and animal care teams to support accurate storytelling regarding marine life and ocean conservation. Maintain a clean, professional, and culturally appropriate appearance for costumes, garments, props, and performance areas.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Required:

High school diploma or equivalent. Strong verbal communication and public-facing skills, with the ability to comfortably address and engage groups of guests. Ability to lead engaging educational tours, cultural demonstrations, lectures, and presentations for diverse guest audiences. Outstanding interpersonal skills with an easy-going demeanor suited for high-density guest interactions. Ability to improvise naturally and remain professional during unscripted guest interactions. Ability to work outdoors in direct sunlight, heat, humidity, and variable weather conditions. Ability to work weekends, holidays, and varying schedules based on park and entertainment operations.

Preferred:

Bachelor's degree in Performing Arts, Music, communications, Hawaiian Studies, or related field. Experience working in them parks, cruise ships, visitor attractions, lu'au, resorts, or live entertainment. Knowledge of or formal training in hula, and regional storytelling. Experience within Hawai'i tourism, hospitality, or cultural entertainment industry. Experience in mascot handling, character performance escorting, or crowd management. Familiarity with Native Hawaiian values Experience in cultural interpretation, museum or visitor education, guided tours, classroom instruction, public history, or similar educational programming. Knowledge of Hawaiian history, culture, traditions, place-based storytelling, and/or natural history, with the ability to communicate this information accurately and respectfully to guests.

WORK ENVIORMENT

This position requires regular on-site presence, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak park operational seasons. The role involves frequent outdoor work in variable weather conditions, including direct sunlight, high heat, and humidity, extended standing and walking, vocal projection in outdoor environments, and managing guest crowds during mascot offerings.

Pay:

$17.00 - $21.00 per hour

Work Location:

In person