The Movers and Shakas program to foster remote work and contributions to the local economy and community by skilled professionals has opened the application period for its second cohort.

Nearly 90,000 applications from across the country were submitted for the first cohort’s 50 spots, and organizers are encouraging Hawaii residents and others to apply for the competitive program by the July 12 deadline.

Those selected for the fall cohort will receive a free round-trip ticket to Honolulu and be required to remain in Hawaii for the month of October. In addition to continuing to work remotely in their existing jobs, cohort members will be assigned a volunteer project with a local nonprofit or startup based on their skills and experience. Participants also are provided with cultural orientation and group community-building activities.

Participants in the first group, held in the spring, volunteered with partner organizations including the PA‘I Foundation, Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, Native Hawaiian Chambers of Commerce and Girl Scouts of Hawaii.

Movers and Shakas is an initiative of the Hawai‘i Executive Collaborative, with support from local businesses, foundations and the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

For more information and an online information session featuring past participants, visit moversandshakas.org.