Behind every astronomical discovery are the stories and experiences of the people who made it possible. Explore the latest from across the Maunakea Observatories.
STORIES
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2026 Akamai Mentor Summit: Mentoring By Design
With 610 Akamai interns having completed more than 650 projects designed to support their diverse backgrounds and advance their STEM careers, the Akamai Workforce Initiative (Akamai) has been creating internship opportunities for local students in Hawaiʻi for 25 years. Now, hundreds are in STEM jobs in Hawaiʻi and beyond.
AstroDay East 2026 Brings World-Class Science to the Heart of Hilo
On Saturday, May 2, Prince Kūhīō Plaza in Hilo was transformed into a lively hub of science, discovery, and community as more than 30 organizations came together for the 24th annual AstroDay East. Hosted by Maunakea Observatories, the free, family-friendly event welcomed keiki and families for a full day of hands-on learning, live demonstrations, and interactive fun.
Maunakea Scholars Alumni Reconnect at AAS 247 Winter Meeting
Hawaiʻi astronomy students and Maunakea Scholars alumni reconnected while presenting their research at the American Astronomical Society (AAS) 247th winter meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, this January.
UH Hilo, Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope, and Université Laval Collaborate to Simulate Galaxy Collision
A new study co-authored by Camille Poitras, Dr. R. Pierre Martin of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, and colleagues at Université Laval (Québec, Canada) simulates the past, present, and future of a collision between two spiral galaxies, using Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope data. Discoveries like these speak to the importance of undergraduate research experience and international collaboration.
Maunakea Scholars program celebrates 10-year anniversary
By Stefan Verbano for Hawaiʻi Tribune Herald
Started during the 2015-2016 school year, Maunakea Scholars celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year. It’s an innovative, one-of-a-kind program giving public high school students across the state a competitive chance to conduct research at Maunakea’s telescope array — something the program’s administrators have affectionately dubbed “telescope time.”
Community Astronomy and Mutual Stewardship at the AAS Winter Meeting
Maunakea Observatories, ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, and the Hawaiʻi I Ke Alo Mutual Stewardship Project, in partnership with the American Astronomical Society (AAS), convened a three-day, in-person summit focused on implementing community models of astronomy and mutual stewardship.
Journey Through the Universe Observes 22 Years
Hawaiʻi Island’s largest astronomy education program, Journey Through the Universe, hosted its 22nd year of classroom visits, career panels, and community events in a fun-filled week, February 2 to 6, 2026 (Spring Journey Week). Throughout the week, 46 volunteer educators from the Maunakea Observatories, NASA, various universities, and more shared stellar hands-on experiences at local schools and inspired over 3,000 students to explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) in classrooms ranging from second to 12th grade.
Akamai Internship Kicks Off 2026 Recruitment Following Stellar 2025 Cohort
Applications are open for the 2026 Akamai Internship Program, a cornerstone of Hawaiʻi’s STEM workforce development for 22 years. In summer 2025, the program supported 33 interns, each matched with a Hawaiʻi-based observatory — including 15 at Maunakea Observatories — for an immersive internship experience. Step inside the 2025 cohort and learn about their innovation and impact at the Maunakea Observatories.
Students in Hawaiʻi Name Mesmerizing Image Ua ʻŌhiʻa Lani for the International Gemini Observatory’s 25th Anniversary
To celebrate 25 years since the completion of the International Gemini Observatory, students in Hawai‘i voted for the Gemini North telescope to image NGC 6820 — a striking emission nebula and open star cluster. The image was named Ua ʻŌhiʻa Lani, which means the Heavenly ʻŌhiʻa Rains. The International Gemini Observatory is partly funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and operated by NSF NOIRLab.
Gemini’s New Fall Journey Week Brings Hawai‘i Astronomy to Classrooms
This fall, more than 1,800 students across the Hilo-Waiākea School District learned about outer space and astronomy from 20 volunteer educators during Fall Journey Week. This weeklong educational series is the newest addition to the yearlong “Journey through the Universe” program led by the international Gemini Observatory, a program of NSF’s NOIRLab and the Department of Education Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area.
Waipahu High School Students Honored by Maunakea Scholars
Eleven students from Waipahu High School were recognized this year by the Maunakea Scholars program for their original astronomy research proposals, earning the opportunity to access Hawaiʻi’s world-class telescopes. The annual awards ceremony celebrated their accomplishments and marked the beginning of the transition from proposal to discovery.
Maunakea Observatories Join the Hawaiʻi Science and Technology Museum for Kaʻū Career Day
The Maunakea Observatories (MKOs) joined the Hawaiʻi Science and Technology Museum (HSTM) for the very first HSTM Career Day at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary. Career Day is a workforce-development and career-focused event for high school students that brings hands-on activities, information, and opportunities to local communities.
Maunakea Scholars Students Go to the International Science Fair
Every spring, students from around the world gather for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. This year’s fair took place on May 10-16th in Columbus, Ohio. Among the Hawaiʻi students participating was Kai Greenlee, a senior at Kealakehe High School.
UH Student Applies Engineering Skills to W. M. Keck Observatory Project
Kaʻala Deitch, a mechanical engineering student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, is finding his path at the intersection of science, culture, and service. A graduate of Ke Kula ʻO Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu, Kaʻala’s early education in Hawaiian language immersion gave him more than just fluency. It grounded him with a strong sense of place and purpose. In 2023, Kaʻala joined the W. M. Keck Observatory through the Akamai Workforce Initiative, which places local students in STEM internships across Hawaiʻi.
Space science bill helps students soar
By Gail Takai for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser
As an advocate for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education in Hawaii, I have seen firsthand how transformative opportunities to explore careers in these fields are for youth. House Bill 563, a bill being considered by the Hawaii Legislature, presents a pivotal opportunity for our state to invest in the future of our youth and economy by expanding workforce development programs.
Journey Through the Universe Inspires Students with Science from Maunakea and Beyond
During the first week of February, NOIRLab’s Journey Through the Universe returned for its 21st consecutive year! Journey Through the Universe, or Journey, is a weeklong educational program that aims to inspire Hawaiʻi’s students to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Throughout the week, volunteer educators visited 2nd through 12th-grade Hilo-Waiākea classrooms to take students on an educational journey full of hands-on experiences.
Journey Program Hilo Finishes its 20th Year
Journey Through the Universe in Hilo marked its 20th anniversary, wrapping up on Feb. 9, 2024, amid a 5.7 magnitude earthquake. Throughout Journey Week (Feb. 5 - 9), volunteers engaged over 4,000 students in Hilo-Waiākea public schools with astronomy and STEM presentations tailored to teacher requests, highlighting careers in science and technology, including community events like a reception, lecture, stargazing, and a movie screening.