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Project Map and Figures > Anticipated Impacts, Project Benefits and Project Schedule > Draft Environmental Assessment > Upcoming In-Person Open House
The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s (UH Hilo) current observatory site on the summit of Maunakea, named Hōkū Ke‘a, is targeted for decommissioning by 2023. The UH Hilo Department of Physics and Astronomy needs a state-of-the-art educational telescope for training students and for communicating science to the public. Therefore, UH Hilo is proposing to construct a new educational telescope facility at the Halepōhaku Mid-Level Support Facility on Maunakea.
The Proposed Action includes the construction and operation of a new educational telescope at the existing Halepōhaku Mid-Level Support Facility to support UH Hilo’s Department of Physics and Astronomy. Halepōhaku was selected as the proposed site because it provides suitable sky conditions for astronomical observations and is conveniently located. The specific area for the new telescope is currently used for equipment storage.
Project Location Map
Rendering of Telescope and Dome
The Proposed Action would have short-term and temporary impacts during construction to cultural practices, biological resources, scenic resources, geological resources, water resources, air quality, noise, roadways and traffic, and solid and hazardous waste. BMPs and other measures would be implemented to minimize impacts.
The Proposed Action would have beneficial impacts to education due to the increase of teaching, training, and research opportunities for Hawai‘i students in the field of astronomy and the community, as well as for communicating science to the general public.
The Proposed Action would have beneficial impacts to education due to the increase of teaching, training, and research opportunities for Hawai‘i students in the field of astronomy. In its current operational concept, a significant amount of observing time with the UH Hilo Educational Telescope would be made available to students and teachers in the State of Hawai‘i. Notably, training and educational opportunities would be offered to local teachers, who subsequently could then include observing experiments and other astronomy events related to the Educational Telescope in their own course curriculum. We can also envision special summer school training sessions for Adult Learners interested in astronomy or in acquiring experience in operating a modern telescope. UH Hilo students would be involved in those community opportunities, adding to their own professional training and experience. Local educational organizations would be invited to work closely with UH Hilo and the Educational Telescope leadership in providing these community opportunities.
Specifically, the Proposed Action would provide the following benefits:
- Students would have the opportunity to conduct scientific research projects.
- Students would be trained in modern observational techniques applied in scientific research.
- Students would be trained in modern telescope operations.
- The Proposed Action would support developments in instrumentation and technical projects.
- The Proposed Action would support outreach activities and student training in communicating science with the general public.
- The Proposed Action would serve as a bridge between professional astronomy activities on the Big Island and local communities.
- The Proposed Action could be used to build scientific and educational collaborations around the world, including other educational institutions and serious citizen astronomers.
- Design: August 2020 through March 2023
- Environmental Assessment: February 2021 through December 2022
- Permitting: March 2023 through February 2024
- Construction: August 2024 through December 2024
The Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) was published on September 23, 2022 and can be viewed at the following link:
LOCATION: UH Hilo Science and Technology Building
DATE: Wednesday, October 5, 2022
TIME: 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
The public can learn more about the project at an open house on the UH Hilo campus on Wednesday, October 5 from 5:30 to 7 pm. It will include presentations by UH Hilo astronomy faculty and SSFM International, Inc. SSFM will discuss its findings listed in the Draft EA. Topics will include proposed educational programs, such as culture-based STEM curriculum courses for local elementary, middle, and high school students along with research opportunities for UH Hilo students. The public will also be able to see the telescope, which is currently housed inside the UH Hilo Sciences and Technology Building.