Behind every astronomical discovery are the stories and experiences of the people who made it possible. Explore the latest from across the Maunakea Observatories.
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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.
Stars of the Maunakea Coin Contest: Pāhoa High and Intermediate School
One small school in the quiet community of Pāhoa overwhelmingly shines in the Maunakea Coin Contest every year. What’s their secret?
Diplomats Experience Maunakea Through Science and Culture
The University of Hawaiʻi welcomed about 50 international diplomats to Maunakea and the UH Hilo ʻImiloa Astronomy Center for a firsthand look at the university’s leading role in world-class astronomy, scientific discoveries and cultural stewardship that have helped make Hawaiʻi a global center for space research.
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.
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.
Astronaut Ellison Onizuka Day Returns to Hilo!
For the first time in five years, Astronaut Ellison Onizuka Science Day returned to the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo (UHH). Nearly 350 students and adults explored science, astronomy, and Hawaiian culture at this community event celebrating Ellison’s incredible legacy as Hawai‘i’s first astronaut and the first Asian American astronaut to reach space.
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.
Maunakea Observatories Join in the Fun at AstroDay West 2025
Families and keiki got a chance to explore the cosmos at this year’s AstroDay West at Kona Commons, hosted by Maunakea Observatories.
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.
Residents and Maunakea Observatories Staff Connect at the Tanabata Block Party
More than 700 people braved rainy weather to attend the second annual Tanabata Block Party at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Science & Technology Park. Attendees enjoyed facility tours, Japanese cultural performances, and appearances by special guests. The tours were a major highlight, allowing nearly 200 visitors to step inside the “office” of Hawai‘i’s astronomers.
Maunakea Observatories Join UH Mānoa College of Engineering for Career Expo
The Maunakea Observatories joined the University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa College of Engineering’s Career Expo in Honolulu. For the MKOs, the Career Expo is an important opportunity to connect with UH Mānoa Engineering students, raising awareness of the diversity of technical jobs within the observatories.
Keck & CFHT Join Community Effort To Feed Keiki
This summer, W. M. Keck Observatory served as a hub of community care each Monday. Over 40 staff from both W. M. Keck Observatory and Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope (CFHT) came together once again to pack and distribute meal kits for children as part of the Kaukau 4 Keiki program, an initiative that has become a lifeline for many families across Hawaiʻi Island.
Maunakea Observatories Participate in Hawaiʻi Island Summer Fun Programs
Every year in support of ʻohana and keiki during summer vacation, the County of Hawaiʻi Department of Parks and Recreation hosts the Summer Fun Programs, providing recreational opportunities for keiki at public parks and gyms across Hawaiʻi Island. For over ten years, the International Gemini Observatory, along with other Maunakea Observatories, has had the great pleasure of working with the Summer Fun Programs and coordinating a variety of educational activities and visits.
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.
W.M. Keck Observatory Represents Maunakea Astronomy at the 2025 Hawaiʻi On The Hill
W.M. Keck Observatory was proud to participate in its very first Hawaiʻi On The Hill, an annual week of advocacy for local businesses and organizations in Washington, D.C., organized by the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi. This marks the ninth year of the advocacy week, and the first year that astronomy has been represented.
All Hands on the Mauna: MKO's Coordinate Safety Plans with Local Agencies
While being on the summit may feel isolating at times, there is an entire village of first responders just a call away to ensure that Maunakea personnel are safe 24/7. On April 4, observatory personnel attended a convening at Hale Pōhaku to discuss the collaboration and coordination between the Maunakea Observatories, Maunakea Rangers, and first responders.
Overall Winner of the 2025 Maunakea Coin Contest Announced
The overall winner of the 2025 Maunakea Coin Contest was announced at AstroDay on May 3. Ros Haleyah Mari Asuncion Ganot, an 11th grader at Pāhoa High and Intermediate School, took home first place with her incredible design.