High atop Maunakea, employees from the University of �鶹��ý at Hilo are part of the dedicated team keeping observatory operations running smoothly, from clearing roads to public safety and supporting scientists at 14,000 feet.

Their behind-the-scenes efforts make it possible to advance world-class astronomy all while caring for the mountain’s cultural and natural resources.

The University of �鶹��ý at Hilo (CMS) is advancing environmental stewardship on the mauna by replacing underground fuel storage tanks (USTs) at Halepōhaku, the mid-level facilities, with a modern system. A draft Environmental Assessment (EA) is being prepared under the oversight of the Maunakea Joint Management Committee, a partnership between CMS and the Mauna Kea Stewardship Oversight Authority (MKSOA).

UH is removing the USTs to meet a 2028 state regulatory deadline (�鶹��ý Administrative Rules Chapter 11-280.1-21). Under the state rule, any tanks built before August 9, 2013, must be upgraded with extra safety protection by July 15, 2028. If they are not upgraded by then, they must be permanently shut down.

The project would replace three underground fuel tanks and buried fuel lines with two smaller, above-ground double-wall tanks. The new tanks would sit on a concrete pad with built-in pumps and a containment berm. This reduces the facility footprint from about 1,945 square feet to 322 square feet and lowers fuel storage capacity from 18,000 gallons to 6,000 gallons.

Fuel stored at Halepōhaku is vital for snow plows and heavy machinery that keep Maunakea’s roads clear and safe. Reliable access supports public safety, cultural practitioners and observatory staff. Storing fuel on the mauna also reduces emissions by limiting the number of trips needed to haul fuel up the mountain.

“Fuel storage is critical for keeping Maunakea’s roads safe and accessible during weather events and natural disasters,” said Greg Chun, executive director of CMS. “Following publication of the draft EA, we look forward to gathering public input so this project reflects both essential needs and our shared commitment to stewardship.”

Initial outreach efforts

CMS has hired Sustainable Resources Group International, Inc. to prepare the draft EA. The environmental consulting firm is assessing the project site, studying potential impacts, and conducting a Ka Paʻakai analysis. As part of this work, it is reaching out to stakeholder agencies and individuals with knowledge of Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices connected to the area.

The project area is in a previously disturbed utilities yard and is not known to be used by cultural practitioners or visitors. One māmane tree will be removed, though 40 new trees have already been planted nearby as part of restoration efforts. No historic sites will be directly affected. An archaeological monitor will be present during ground work.

“True stewardship of Maunakea requires laulima, working together with the community,” said John De Fries, executive director of MKSOA. “As this process advances, there will be opportunities for manaʻo from the public to help guide this project with respect and responsibility.”

When the draft EA is published in the �鶹��ý Office of Planning and Sustainable Development’s Environmental Notice, the public will have 30 days to provide comments. Community members, cultural practitioners, and other stakeholders are invited to share their perspectives to help shape the final decisions. All feedback will be reviewed by the project team, and adjustments to the Proposed Action may be made based on the input received.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Board of Trustees announced on June 26 () that it is withdrawing its two lawsuits concerning Maunakea, calling the decision “a pivotal shift towards collaborative stewardship and cultural preservation of the sacred mountain.”

The first lawsuit, filed in 2017, sought to hold the State of �鶹��ý, the Board of Land and Natural Resources, and the University of �鶹��ý accountable for what it described as decades of mismanagement, an allegation UH repeatedly challenged.

“We look forward to this new chapter of unity and shared responsibility with OHA and Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority (MKSOA), and we affirm our longstanding commitment to responsibly stewarding Maunakea’s natural and cultural resources,” said UH Hilo Center for Maunakea Stewardship Director Greg Chun. “We deeply appreciate the dedication of the many people who have cared for the mauna over the decades, including rangers, biologists, visitor center staff, volunteer board members, and many others who have been implicated in the lawsuit’s claims. Your service is not unnoticed.”

The second lawsuit, filed in January 2024, challenged the constitutionality of Act 255, which established the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority (MKSOA). Governor Josh Green commended the decision by OHA, saying it opened a new chapter of unity and shared responsibility.

The University of �鶹��ý Institute for Astronomy (IfA) is officially initiating the decommissioning process for the UH-owned UKIRT telescope on Maunakea, formerly known as the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope. This marks another important milestone in UH’s long-term commitment to responsible stewardship of the mauna.

UKIRT will be the third Maunakea observatory to be decommissioned under UH’s Maunakea Comprehensive Management Plan, following Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO) and UH Hilo ��ō��ū Keʻa Observatory, both completed in 2024.

“I am glad to see us making progress on our commitment to decommission another facility on the mauna,” said UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin. “Just as importantly, we do this work with the full awareness of the cultural and environmental significance of this place.”

The UKIRT decommissioning will be done in close coordination with UH Hilo (CMS). As with the CSO and ��ō��ū Keʻa projects, CMS will consult with the and engage the �鶹��ý Island community throughout the process.

“This is a deeply meaningful process for UH and the broader community,” said Greg Chun, executive director of CMS. “Decommissioning is more than physical removal, it’s about honoring our commitments, restoring the ʻāina (land), and engaging with cultural and community voices every step of the way.”

The process will begin with the submission of a Notice of Intent to decommission followed by a request for proposals. The selected company will be required to coordinate closely with CMS and follow the . On-site work to remove the telescope will begin once the planning, permitting and consultation processes are complete.

The CSO and ��ō��ū Keʻa decommissionings set a precedent for enhancing the cultural sensitivity of those working on large construction projects on the mauna. Crews underwent cultural training, and Native Hawaiian protocol was carefully integrated into each stage of the process, from deconstruction to restoration.

“Earlier this year, I had the privilege of visiting the mauna and witnessing the outstanding work CMS has done to successfully oversee the decommissioning of the first two observatories,” said UH President Wendy Hensel. “What strikes me most is the CMS team’s deep sense of responsibility to carrying out UH’s commitments and ensuring this process is conducted responsibly, with great care and respect for this special place.”

UKIRT’s storied history

The UKIRT Observatory began operations in 1979 and was originally built and operated by the United Kingdom’s science agencies. Over the decades, it has contributed to significant scientific advancements and helped establish �鶹��ý as a global center for astronomical research. UKIRT is especially known for extending infrared survey imaging to unprecedented depths and coverage.

In 2014, ownership of the observatory was transferred to IfA after the UK ended its funding for the facility. In recent years, the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) became the principal sponsor of UKIRT operations, enabling an all-sky infrared survey that has supported a wide range of astrophysical research and enhanced the Celestial Reference Frame, a critical system used for global positional measurements, including GPS.

“It was decided that the decommissioning process would begin once the all-sky survey is complete,” said Doug Simons, director at IfA. “I am deeply grateful for the USNO’s support in recent years. Right up to the end, UKIRT remained highly productive and will leave a lasting scientific legacy.”

UKIRT will continue its scientific work during the initial stages of the decommissioning process, including the required environment studies, permits, and community consultations needed before site work can begin.

University of �鶹��ý President Wendy Hensel visited UH Hilo on February 18, her first visit to the campus since taking office on January 1. This was part of her systemwide tour of UH’s 10 campuses and five education centers, during which she is meeting with students, faculty and staff across the state in her first 90 days.

Hensel met with key campus governance groups, including the Hanakahi Council—a caucus of Native Hawaiian faculty and staff—along with the staff council, faculty congress and the campus executive leadership team. Discussions covered key issues such as technology adoption, staff development, transparency, student fees and expanding interdisciplinary collaboration.

“I felt that having that personal connection in a meeting and being able to ask her the essential questions for our campus is important,” said UH Hilo Professor Celia Bardwell-Jones after Hensel’s meeting with the faculty congress. “That demonstrates good shared governance practices for the system. I felt her answers were thoughtful—I was pleasantly surprised.”

UH Hilo Student Body President Chelbi Espiritu shared a similar sentiment, stating, “I think she was very open to listening and hearing us out.”

Campus open forum

More than 80 people attended a campus open forum, where Hensel addressed questions on issues including the impact of recent Executive Orders, the role of the UH System in supporting individual campuses and what it means to be a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning.

“I think it has been incredibly engaging and thoughtful,” Hensel said. “The questions were challenging and important, and we had a really good conversation about what matters to the people on this campus. That’s important. We don’t have all the answers, but we should be able to discuss the questions and how we come together as a community. I was really impressed with the level of engagement.”

Traditional welcome, Maunakea visit

The visit began in the morning with a at �鶹��ý Community College to welcome Hensel to Hilo. The welcoming ceremony, conducted primarily in ʻōlelo �鶹��ý, included an ʻawa ceremony, hula and an underlying message of unity.

During her time on �鶹��ý Island, Hensel visited the summit of Maunakea on February 17, where she met with representatives from the UH Institute for Astronomy and the UH Hilo Center for Maunakea Stewardship (CMS), including the Maunakea Rangers.

“The staff was very appreciative that she took the time to visit and understand how the Center for Maunakea Stewardship and the Institute for Astronomy work together,” said UH Hilo CMS Executive Director Greg Chun. “This is a very unique research enterprise that takes extensive collaboration for the groundbreaking science and commitment to stewardship to work together.”

On February 19, she visited Ke Kula O Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu, the largest Hawaiian immersion school on �鶹��ý Island serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade. That evening, she attended a reception for donors and alumni at the Hilo Yacht Club.

Hensel’s visit concluded on February 20, when she attended the monthly UH Board of Regents meeting at the UH Hilo Daniel K. Inouye School of Pharmacy.

President Hensel’s campus/education centers remaining schedule:

President Hensel campus visit recaps

• Monday, February 24 –
• Tuesday February 25 – and
• Monday, March 3 – and
• TBD –
• Wednesday, March 5 – and
• Monday, March 24 –

For more information about President Hensel, visit the Meet President Hensel webpage. She is also active on social media and encourages the UH community to connect with her on , (formerly Twitter) and .

This week’s UH News Image of the Week is from the UH . From the post: “We got about 2 inches of snow today. Working to get the roads clear.”

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• Editor’s note: Maunakea Access Road reopened on Tuesday, August 27.

Hurricane Hone hit �鶹��ý Island on August 24 and caused significant damage to the roads and terrain on the summit of Maunakea on lands currently managed by the University of �鶹��ý at Hilo (CMS).

The Maunakea Access Road will be closed at least until Wednesday, August 28, as CMS crews and Maunakea rangers make repairs.

Winds reached nearly 100 mph on the summit and heavy rain opened up several large cracks on Maunakea Access Road. Landslides were also reported near the Maunakea Observatories. CMS crews equipped with road repair equipment are filling and repairing the area to address the damage.

The Visitor Information Station (VIS) located in the mountain’s mid-level elevation is open to visitors.

“We commend our dedicated rangers and staff, who are committed to overseeing Maunakea and safeguarding visitors,” said Nahua Guilloz, director of stewardship at CMS. “Our teams are working diligently to reopen the roads safely and as quickly as possible.”

Rangers assist stranded visitors

Maunakea rangers assisted 17 visitors stranded about 4 miles below the Visitor Information Station after a large tree blocked their departure on August 24. The rangers transported the group to the VIS, where they were provided with shelter and refreshments while Department of Transportation crews cleared the road.

Updates on repairs and the road closure will be provided as more information becomes available.

The UH Hilo Center for Maunakea Stewardship jointly manages Maunakea with the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority. The Authority assumes full management of the summit lands by July 1, 2028.

Two observatories have now been completely removed from the summit of Maunakea, fulfilling a commitment made by the University of �鶹��ý. All site work for the decommissioning of the (CSO)was completed in June 2024 following the removal and site restoration of the UH Hilo ��ō��ū Keʻa Observatory in May 2024.

“The completion of the two decommissioning projects demonstrates our commitment to responsible stewardship of Maunakea,” said UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin “We remain devoted to our role as stewards of the Mauna, respecting its profound cultural and environmental significance.”

The UH Hilo (CMS) oversaw both decommissioning projects. Both sites will be monitored over the next three years to assess species population and diversity.

“This is a significant milestone in the history of astronomy on Maunakea and shows that we have come a long way in our stewardship of the Mauna,” said Greg Chun, Executive Director of the UH Hilo Center for Maunakea Stewardship. “This project required close, daily coordination between CSO, the contractors, and CMS. I want to commend the team for their commitment to problem solving and completing this project in a way that was pono.”

The deconstruction phase of CSO began in August 2022 and included the removal and transport of the telescope, physical deconstruction of the building housing the telescope and site restoration. As with the ��ō��ū Keʻa Observatory, the project was completed in accordance with the decommissioning process required by the Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan.

“The physical decommissioning was undertaken with great care by our prime deconstruction contractor, with constant oversight by local cultural, archeological, environmental, and construction monitors as well as the CMS,” said Caltech physics professor and CSO Director Sunil Golwala.

The �鶹��ý State Legislature established the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority (MKSOA) in 2022. After a five-year transition period MKSOA will assume oversight and management of Maunakea in 2028, and as part of our shared management responsibilities during this transition period, the MKSOA has been briefed by CMS regarding the decommissioning project.

More information on the CSO decommissioning can be found in the announcing the completion of the project.