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.
A Discovery Rooted in Community: How a Citizen Scientist's Discovery Brings Leilani to the stars
When volunteer citizen scientist Todd Fisher discovered a new asteroid using data from the Subaru Telescope, he had the opportunity to propose a name. He chose Leilani, honoring a Hawaiʻi community that holds deep meaning for his family and preserving its memory in the night sky.
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.
The Sylvester Family: Three Generations of Astronomy
Tony Sylvester and his son, Anthony, stand in the Gemini base facility control room watching a familiar sight unfold: images of a windswept Maunakea summit viewed from multiple angles. They are the second and third generations of the Sylvester family to work in astronomy on Maunakea and, between the two of them, have a combined 36 years working on the mauna.
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.”
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.
Pathways to the Cosmos: Mutuality in Astronomy
For the October edition of the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach series, "Pathway to the Cosmos," Christine Matsuda, from the Maunakea Observatories, and Kelly Blumenthal, Director of the Office for Astronomy Outreach, sat down for a conversation titled "Mutuality in astronomy: Transforming astronomy through community."
Maunakea Shared Services: Making MKO Science Possible, Behind the Scenes
The Utilities and Food & Lodging teams of Maunakea Shared Services (MKSS) work tirelessly to provide services to the scientists who work and stay on the mauna each day. Their work is essential, but it is not something people necessarily see.
Keck Observatory’s Ilihia Gionson Named to Pacific Business News’ 40 Under 40
Ilihia Gionson, Chief Public Affairs Officer at W. M. Keck Observatory, has been named to Pacific Business News’ 2025 40 Under 40 list, which honors Hawai‘i’s emerging leaders for their professional excellence, leadership, and service to the community. The Maunakea Observatories team joined him at the August 14 awards dinner to celebrate this recognition.
Welcome Leilehua Yuen, Gemini Observatory’s Hawaiʻi Culture and Language Resident
The International Gemini Observatory and NOIRLab are honored to welcome Leilehua Yuen as their first Hawaiʻi Culture and Language Resident to share cultural insight and strengthen community connections.
Kaʻala Deitch Named to Pacific Business News’ Inno Under 25
Kaʻala Deitch, an engineering student who has contributed to both technical projects and community outreach at W. M. Keck Observatory, was recently named one of Hawai‘i’s top young innovators by Pacific Business News. The annual Inno Under 25 awards recognize those under 25 in the tech space and entrepreneurs across various sectors.
Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope’s MegaCam Helps Discover 128 New Saturnian Moons
The Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope (CFHT) played an integral role in discovering 128 new moons of Saturn, which were recognized by the International Astronomical Union on March 11, 2025. CFHT was able to collect this data thanks to MegaCam, a wide-field-of-view imager. Dr. Heather Flewelling, a CFHT instrument scientist, provided a behind-the-scenes look at the technology and process behind the discovery.
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.
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.
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.
A Hua He Inoa: Calling Forth a Name
Astronomy has a deep-rooted history in Hawaiʻi, beginning with the ancient Polynesian wayfinders who brought the science of celestial observation with them to the islands when they first journeyed here across the vast Pacific Ocean. We had hundreds of names for the stars that fill the night sky, as well as names for other astronomical objects and concepts. Led by ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, the A Hua He Inoa program honors that legacy and the contemporary contributions of today’s Hawaiʻi-based astronomers.
Bryan Silver: 2025 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year and Maunakea Scholars Teacher
Bryan Silver, a science and Career and Technical Education at Kalani High School was named 2025 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year by the state Department of Education! Bryan has spent the last 24 years teaching in the Honolulu district and has been a Maunakea Scholars (MKS) teacher since 2016 providing Honolulu students with project-based, hands-on STEM learning experiences. This honor reflects the profound impact he’s had on his students and community.
Leinani Lozi Named to Pacific Business News’ 40 Under 40
Leinani Lozi, Hawaiʻi Education & Engagement Manager at the International Gemini Observatory, a program of NSF’s NOIRLab, has been named one of Pacific Business News’ 40 Under 40, recognizing her contributions to science education and dedication to serving her community. The annual event honors leaders from across Hawaiʻi for their professional and philanthropic achievements.
What Does It Take To Become A Telescope Operator?
Derek Petrowski was always curious about working with telescopes, even as a child. While his path to becoming a Telescope Operator and Support Technician at W. M. Keck Observatory wasn’t necessarily linear, his diverse life experiences and career trajectory have led him to becoming a critical member of the Maunakea Observatories community.
New Subaru Telescope Observations Reveal the Structure of the Outer Solar System
Dr. Tsuyoshi Terai, Subaru Support Astronomer, gives a deeper look into the process behind the new observations about the outer solar system released by the Subaru Telescope in partnership with the New Horizons spacecraft and discusses what they potentially mean for our understanding of the solar system.