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Sea Life Park marine mammal trainer Kaycie Merrihew says it’s no surprise there are two Hawaii finalists out of nearly 50,000 applicants from around the world competing in the "Best Jobs in the World" promotional contest being offered by Tourism Australia.
"I just think that Hawaii in general is just a very active state, and a lot of people that end up in Hawaii are very adventurous and passionate about the outdoors," said the 26-year-old Waimanalo resident. "Hawaii as a state is really supportive of marine mammals. It’s no surprise why there’s two of us."
Merrihew and Moiliili resident Brittany Arvizu, 25, an instructor at Dive Hawaii, are both vying for the same job: wildlife caretaker in South Australia, one of six jobs offered in the competition.
The other five are outback adventurer; park ranger in Queensland; lifestyle photographer in Melbourne; food reviewer in Western Australia; and "chief funster," reviewing festivals and events in Sydney.
The job comes with a $100,000 prize package.
Merrihew’s and Arvizu’s videos got on the shortlist of 25 finalists for wildlife caretaker and were posted on the Australian government agency’s website at www.australia.com/bestjobs.aspx.
The 26-year-old Columbus, Wis., native grew up wanting to work with marine mammals since the second grade after seeing the movie "Free Willy," and became enamored with Australia in the fourth grade after her class studied Australia through books and movies.
"Dolphins are my favorite marine mammals, and kangaroos are my favorite land mammals," she said.
So Merrihew got her bachelor’s degree in zoology from Minnesota State University, Mankato, where she also minored in marketing.
She came out to Hawaii five years ago for an internship at Sea Life Park. She returned to school and applied for a job at Sea Life Park, where she’s worked for the past three years. She trains bottlenose dolphins, sea lions and Humboldt penguins for the park’s shows and also educates visitors about the animals.
Merrihew has a passion for animals and conservation, and hopes to share in the job duties of caring for kangaroos and other native Australian wildlife, exploring Kangaroo Island and cage diving with great white sharks.
"It’s so crazy how this is all falling together," she said. "I just keep my fingers crossed on this one."
Merrihew said her life in Hawaii has been "one crazy adventure after another."
She’s hiked the three peaks of Mount Olomana, gone paragliding at Makapuu and scuba-dived off Maui and Oahu’s North Shore.
Contestants are encouraged to tell the world why they are the best candidate for the job and generate media interest and support from friends, family and online and local communities.
Merrihew has participated in a cleanup on Waikiki Beach, dressed in a kangaroo costume, and shared with the public the negative impacts of marine debris on wildlife and the environment. She also attended an Eat the Street event in Kakaako and spoke to the audience via a radio station’s microphone to gain support for her cause.
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