{"id":234721,"date":"2026-05-20T11:28:27","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T21:28:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=234721"},"modified":"2026-05-26T10:11:38","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T20:11:38","slug":"diplomats-experience-maunakea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/20\/diplomats-experience-maunakea\/","title":{"rendered":"Diplomats experience Maunakea through science and culture"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"People
Diplomats learned how UH<\/abbr> and global partners are advancing astronomy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> welcomed about 50 international diplomats to Maunakea and the UH<\/abbr> Hilo ʻImiloa<\/span> Astronomy Center<\/a> for a firsthand look at the university\u2019s leading role in world-class astronomy, scientific discoveries and cultural stewardship that have helped make Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> a global center for space research.<\/p>\n

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Diplomats explored observatories atop Maunakea.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The visit, coordinated through the U.S. Department of Defense\u2019s annual Defense Attach\u00e9 Orientation Program, brought diplomats to Maunakea where they learned how UH<\/abbr> researchers and international partners are helping drive some of the world\u2019s most important astronomical discoveries, from distant exoplanets and mysterious brown dwarfs to black holes, advanced robotic optics technology and some of the farthest known objects in the universe.<\/p>\n

“Maunakea has become a model for how nations can work together in the pursuit of knowledge,” said Doug Simons, director of the UH<\/abbr> Institute for Astronomy<\/a>. “The discoveries made here belong to all humanity.”<\/p>\n

Summit science, stewardship<\/h2>\n

Atop the summit of Maunakea, teams from the Maunakea Observatories<\/a> such as W. M. Keck Observatory, Canada-France-Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Telescope, Subaru Telescope and UH<\/abbr>\u2019s NASA<\/abbr> Infrared Telescope Facility guided diplomats through observatory facilities. Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> astronomy consistently ranks number one in the world in science impact and output.<\/p>\n

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Center for Maunakea Stewardship staff welcomed visitors with cultural protocol.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At Halep\u014dhaku, located within Maunakea\u2019s mid-level elevation, the group was welcomed with oli (chant) and cultural protocol led by staff from the UH<\/abbr> Hilo Center for Maunakea Stewardship<\/a> (CMS<\/abbr>). The welcome offered diplomats an introduction to the cultural significance of the mauna (mountain) before continuing their visit.<\/p>\n

Staff also shared the mountain\u2019s environmental and cultural significance, restoration projects and ongoing stewardship work. Diplomats learned about UH<\/abbr>\u2019s continued efforts to responsibly decommission telescopes as part of its long-term stewardship commitments.<\/p>\n

“Our responsibility is to care for this mauna thoughtfully and respectfully,” said Greg Chun, executive director of CMS<\/abbr>. “Stewardship guides every part of the work happening on Maunakea, from protecting natural and cultural resources to supporting world-class science.”<\/p>\n

Cultural connections<\/h2>\n
\"Imiloa
Diplomats got a firsthand look at Polynesian wayfinding at \u02bbImiloa.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The visit also included a stop at ʻImiloa<\/span>, where diplomats were welcomed with Hawaiian chant and lei. Staff and students led them through an engaging exploration of Polynesian wayfinding and navigation. Hands-on activities including traditional knot tying and an exploration of Hawaiian canoe, or waʻa<\/span>.<\/p>\n

For many in the group, it was their first encounter with the tradition of Polynesian navigation and the recognition of Hawaiians as among the world’s early astronomers, a story that clearly resonated as guests lingered over exhibits and engaged in lively conversation with staff.<\/p>\n

“This is a place where Â鶹´«Ã½’s<\/span> culture and international scientific perspectives come together in ways that deepen and strengthen one another,” said Kaʻiu<\/span> Kimura, executive director of UH<\/abbr> Hilo\u2019s ʻImiloa<\/span> Center. “We wanted our guests to understand the profound cultural significance of Maunakea and the shared responsibility that comes with caring for a place of such importance.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

About 50 international diplomats visited Maunakea and ʻImiloa<\/span> Astronomy Center for a look at the university\u2019s leading role in world-class astronomy and cultural stewardship.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":234729,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[34,292,35,659,1421,14,947],"class_list":["post-234721","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-astronomy","tag-imiloa-astronomy-center","tag-institute-for-astronomy","tag-maunakea","tag-maunakea-observatories","tag-uh-hilo","tag-uh-system","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t