REMINDER: Public input sought on UH Hilo’s proposed teaching telescope

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Contact:
Dan Meisenzahl , (808) 348-4936
Spokesperson, UH Communications
Posted: Oct 21, 2022

Rendering of proposed teaching telescope
Rendering of proposed teaching telescope
The proposed project includes a 14-foot high, 18-foot diameter dome that will house the telescope.
The proposed project includes a 14-foot high, 18-foot diameter dome that will house the telescope.

Link to video (below): https://bit.ly/3SaROvU

The deadline for the public to provide feedback to the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) on its proposal to locate the school’s 28-inch educational telescope at Halepōhaku, is Monday, October 24. The project includes a 14-foot high, 18-foot diameter dome that will house the teaching telescope at the mid-level facility on Maunakea. The dome will be placed on a yet to be constructed wooden deck that will connect to an existing building at Halepōhaku. A DEA is required by the Hawaiʻi Board of Land and Natural Resources for astronomy facilities placed within the state conservation district, and it is triggered by the use of state land and funds. The DEA for the UH Hilo teaching telescope anticipates a finding of no significant impact. The official State of Hawaiʻi, Office of Planning and Sustainable Development notice includes instructions on how to provide comments, which will be considered during the preparation of the final environmental assessment.  

“We hope our local community takes some time to learn more about the teaching telescope and how it will benefit not only UH Hilo students, but the entire island,” said UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin. “I am especially excited for the programming ideas that we have for the community at large to utilize the telescope.”

Decommissioning of former telescope site

The former site of the UH Hilo teaching telescope on the summit of Maunakea is now undergoing decommissioning that is scheduled to be completed in 2023.

VIDEO BROLL: (:50)

:00-:06 UH Hilo teaching telescope rendering 

:07-:20 Teaching telescope 

:21-:34 Aerial map of Halepōhaku  

:35-:49 Stills of Halepōhaku