HILO, Hawaii — The University of Hawaii at Hilo invites the public to an open house, 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 5, to share information about the school’s proposed 28-inch educational telescope to be located at the mid-level facility at Halepōhaku.

The open house will be held on campus on the first floor of the UH Hilo Science and Technology Building. UH Hilo astronomy faculty and SSFM International Inc. will provide presentations that include findings listed in the Draft Environmental Assessment, which is available for public review and comment through Oct. 24. Read more about UH Hilo seeking public input on the DEA here.

Proposed educational programs such as culture-based STEM curriculum courses for local elementary, middle and high school students, and research opportunities for UH Hilo students will also be discussed. The public will also be able to see the telescope.

The site of the UH Hilo teaching telescope on the summit of Maunakea is currently being decommissioned and is scheduled to be completed in 2023.

In 2016, when the university submitted a Notice to Proceed to decommission the site, members of the community testified before the Maunakea Management Board, criticizing the removal of the only teaching telescope on the summit. After plans to relocate the teaching telescope at Halepōhaku were included in the decommissioning plan, MKMB accepted the Notice of Intent in 2021.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii.