{"id":39571,"date":"2015-10-19T16:37:52","date_gmt":"2015-10-20T02:37:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=39571"},"modified":"2021-07-06T14:46:43","modified_gmt":"2021-07-07T00:46:43","slug":"maunakea-observatories-welcome-hawaii-residents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2015\/10\/19\/maunakea-observatories-welcome-hawaii-residents\/","title":{"rendered":"Maunakea observatories welcome Hawai\u02bbi<\/span> residents"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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President Barack Obama at the White House Astronomy Night in Washington, D.C. on October 19, 2015.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Maunakea Observatories and ʻImiloa<\/span> Astronomy Center<\/a> will offer the Kamaʻāina<\/span> Observatory Experience<\/a>, a monthly community event that welcomes Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> residents to the science reserve atop Maunakea to see world-class telescopes and learn about the cultural and environmental importance of the mountain. <\/p>\n

The Kamaʻāina<\/span> Observatory Experience was introduced on October 19 in a speech by President Barack Obama<\/a> at the White House Astronomy Night<\/a> in Washington, D.C. The event, held on the South Lawn of the White House, brought together scientists, engineers and visionaries from astronomy and the space industry, including guests from Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>’s ʻImiloa<\/span> Astronomy Center, Gemini Observatory<\/a> and the Polynesian Voyaging Society<\/a>, who shared an evening of stargazing and learning with students and teachers.<\/p>\n

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Kaiu Kimura, ʻImiloa<\/span> Astronomy Center, left, and Alexis-Ann Acohido, Gemini International Observatory.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“We were honored to represent Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>’s tremendous contributions to the world of astronomy, education and culture on the White House lawn tonight,” said Kaʻiu<\/span> Kimura, executive director of ʻImiloa<\/span> Astronomy Center. “As part of ʻImiloa<\/span>’s partnership with the Maunakea Observatories, we look forward to sharing these contributions with even more of our friends and ʻohana<\/span> at home in Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> through the Kamaʻāina<\/span> Observatory Experience.”<\/p>\n

The new program will occur once a month and will include transportation to and from the summit and the Visitor Information Station, a cultural briefing, a one-hour safety and environmental briefing at Hale Pōhaku, and a one-and-a-half hour visit to two of the Maunakea Observatories—the most scientifically productive collection of telescopes on Earth. Participation will be free of charge and open to all Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> residents.<\/p>\n