Disassembly of the (CSO) 34-foot diameter telescope on Maunakea began the week of August 28. The entire decommissioning process is expected to be completed by summer 2024 and cost more than $4 million. CSO is the first observatory to be removed under the Decommissioning Plan of the University of Hawaiʻi Maunakea Comprehensive Management Plan.

“Our team has started working inside the observatory to take apart the telescope and get it ready for removal,” Caltech physics professor and Caltech Submillimeter Telescope Director Sunil Golwala said. “The aluminum panels that make up the reflecting surface of the telescope have been removed and packed. The secondary mirror and its support structure were removed last week.”

CSO said that there are monitors for all phases of the project, including decommissioning, cultural, construction and archeological monitors, in accordance with the permits guiding the telescope鈥檚 removal.

Workers will use a crane and a manlift to disassemble the telescope and its mirror and then transport it down the mountain in shipping containers. A cultural practitioner conducted a blessing at the site and also an orientation for the staff before the work began.

This phase of the decommissioning process is expected to be completed by the end of September. The next phase will be the removal of the remaining buildings and infrastructure.

“Removal of above-ground structures and below-ground infrastructure will be deferred to next spring because of inclement winter weather,” said Golwala. “Restoration to the level approved under our permit will occur next summer after all structures are removed.”

Regular updates will be provided by .

The decommissioning of the 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo Hōkū Keʻa Telescope is scheduled to begin by the end of 2023 and completed in the first half of 2024.

The physical removal of the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO) on Maunakea is scheduled to begin by early May after extensive planning and permitting, according to an April 6 . CSO is following the (PDF) of the (PDF) for the observatory removal and site restoration.

“Over the winter, we finalized plans and prepared permitting applications to remove the telescope and transport it from the mountain,” said CSO Director Sunil Golwala in the release. “To transport the main mirror of the telescope to the harbor will require several road closures. We are alerting state and county agencies, the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo (CMS) and the community at each step.”

CSO is one of two Maunakea observatories expected to be fully decommissioned in 2023. The physical removal of the 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo Hōkū Keʻa observatory is expected to begin in the fall.

“Decommissioning an observatory is a complicated process involving regulatory approvals ensuring environmental stewardship and public safety,” said 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo CMS Executive Director Greg Chun. “The progress being made on the decommissioning of the first two observatories on Maunakea honors a longstanding commitment made by the university. We will complete this important work as we continue to work diligently on the transition to the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority.”

CSO is coordinating with the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, Hawaiʻi County Police Department and County of Hawaiʻi Department of Public Works on road permitting requirements for transporting the telescope鈥檚 34-foot diameter primary reflector to Kawaihae Harbor on the Kona coast.

The entire removal process including a practice run is expected to take about six weeks and will involve publicly announced road closures. Much of the work and major road closures will take place between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. to minimize public impact. A map of the anticipated transport route can be found .

“Other telescope parts will be taken down from the summit as weather permits,” said Golwala. “As those parts are smaller, no road closures will be required.”

Once the telescope is removed, the buildings that housed the CSO telescope will be dismantled and the site restored. As required is the sublease for CMS, CSO is paying for the decommissioning, which is expected to exceed $4 million.

The decommissioning of University of Hawaiʻi Hōkū Keʻa Observatory on Maunakea met a critical milestone. After months of evaluation and outreach, 糖心Vlog官方 has determined that the proposed project will have no significant adverse environmental impacts, as documented in the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) published in The Environmental Notice on June 23, 2022. The EA prepared by SSFM International Inc. for 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo describes the proposed project, documents potential impacts to resources, and proposes measures to avoid, mitigate, and minimize potential impacts after considering public and agency comments.

The proposed project reviewed in the final EA includes the removal of two buildings and supporting infrastructure, and restoration of the site to its original state, as much as possible.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources can now complete its review of 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 application for a conservation district use permit (CDUP). DLNR will then present the CDUP application to its Board of Land and Natural Resources for its consideration and approval. If the permit is issued, the university can begin the removal of the observatory and site restoration. The decommissioning is tentatively scheduled to be completed by late 2023. 贬艒办奴 Ke驶a is one of two Maunakea telescopes undergoing decommissioning. The removal of the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO) is tentatively scheduled to be completed by Caltech in late 2023.

Located on the southeastern side of the 528-acre astronomy precinct on the summit of Maunakea, the Hōkū Keʻa site was built by the U.S. Air Force in 1970 and was one of the first observatories on Maunakea before it was given to 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo.

After lengthy consultation with the Maunakea Management Board and Kahu Kū Mauna, 糖心Vlog官方 is in the planning process to install a new teaching telescope for 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo, a state-of-the-art, 0.7-meter telescope system, in a small structure at the Halepōhaku mid-level facility on Maunakea.

• Related 糖心Vlog官方 News stories:
  • Public input requested on Hōkū Keʻa telescope decommissioning process, September 9, 2021
  • Public meeting on Hōkū Keʻa telescope decommissioning, September 17, 2021
  • Maunakea telescope to be decommissioned this summer, February 13, 2022

The University of Hawaiʻi is seeking public input on an update to the 2009 Maunakea Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP), the management framework approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) for Maunakea lands managed by 糖心Vlog官方. The 2009 CMP identified 103 management actions addressing existing and future activities and uses, such as astronomy, recreational activities, commercial activities, scientific research, cultural activities and religious activities.

The 2009 CMP, 2022 Master Plan and the Maunakea Administrative Rules are the three primary tools that guide the 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo (CMS), the unit responsible for lands managed by 糖心Vlog官方 on the mauna.

糖心Vlog官方 is asking the public to provide feedback on 鈥嬧�媡he Comprehensive Management Plan 2022 Supplement: Management Action Updates (CMP Supplement). The draft CMP Supplement updates the 2009 CMP management actions, provides concise guidance on implementing the updated management actions and establishes clear measurements of progress. Key updates to the management actions include:

• Improve coordination with the Native Hawaiian community and protection of Maunakea鈥檚 resources (cultural, natural and scientific).
• Incorporate possible approaches to 糖心Vlog官方 access management to minimize the potential impacts of activities and uses.
• Refine the management of activities and uses within the built environment to reduce potential impacts.

The draft CMP Supplement does not propose projects or land uses. It must be approved by the 糖心Vlog官方 Board of Regents (BOR) and then approved by the BLNR at public meetings to take effect.

Adaptive management used to develop CMP supplement

The draft CMP Supplement updates the 2009 CMP management actions using the adaptive management principle to improve management activities based on new data.

The formal process, outlined in the 2009 CMP, utilizes learned outcomes, information/data collected (including 糖心Vlog官方 annual reports to Department of Land and Natural Resources, Outcome Analysis Report), and input from resource experts (including Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, state agencies, etc.). This information informed whether each of the 2009 CMP management actions would be left intact, updated, adapted or eliminated if completed.

Public feedback encouraged

Public input will be accepted through March 31, 2022 and comments can be made directly on the draft CMP supplement at . There will be a link at the top page to an easy-to-use online platform that simplifies public review and engagement. It provides background information and easy-to-follow instructions on providing feedback online, via telephone messages and by mail.

“All of us have an interest, no matter what that interest may be鈥攃ultural, environmental, commerCIAl, recreational鈥攊n participating in this important process,” said Greg Chun, the CMS executive director. “We need to hear from everyone on what we鈥檙e proposing to do in this update to the CMP, which has already had a tremendous impact on improving the stewardship of the mauna.”

The draft CMP Supplement will be amended based on the public comments/feedback received and go to the BOR for public review and possibly further changes. Upon BOR approval, it is anticipated to go before the BLNR later this year.

Management plans and land authorization updates

CMS has been in the process of updating its management tools, with extensive public outreach, to improve the stewardship of the mauna:

• The new Master Plan adopted by the BOR in 2022 guides land-use decisions and replaces the 2000 Master Plan.
• Administrative Rules signed by Gov. David Ige in 2020 addresses public and commerCIAl activities on lands managed by 糖心Vlog官方 on Maunakea.
• The CMP, which is currently being updated, was approved by the BLNR in 2009 to provide a comprehensive management framework.

糖心Vlog官方 is also working on an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will address proposed future 糖心Vlog官方 land authorization for Maunakea as the end of 糖心Vlog官方‘s current 65-year lease in 2033 approaches. The draft EIS is tentatively scheduled for release for public comment around midyear 2022.

糖心Vlog官方 is asking that individuals with information on the cultural resources, practices, and beliefs found and practiced within lands managed by 糖心Vlog官方 on Maunakea participate in a Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA), which is part of the draft EIS. Go to to learn more about the CIA, participate in the cultural practices questionnaire and view the EIS Preparation Notice. CIA questionnaires will be accepted through March 31, 2022.

• Related 糖心Vlog官方 News stories:
  • Governor Ige approves Maunakea administrative rules, January 13, 2020
  • 糖心Vlog官方 Regents approve new Maunakea Master Plan, January 20, 2022
  • Maunakea telescope to be decommissioned this summer, February 13, 2022

The University of Hawaiʻi is seeking persons with expertise on the cultural resources, practices and beliefs found and practiced within 糖心Vlog官方 managed areas on Maunakea. Through this effort, the university will advance its understanding of the role of Maunakea in Hawaiian culture and the possible effects on cultural practices by future land authorizations.

This outreach effort will contribute to the preparation of a Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will address proposed future 糖心Vlog官方 land authorization for Maunakea. 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 current land authorization for the mauna, a 65-year lease, ends in 2033.

The CIA will identify and evaluate the possible cultural impacts of the alternatives being considered in the EIS including:

1. a new land authorization comprising the existing 糖心Vlog官方 managed lands on Maunakea;
2. a new land authorization for a substantially smaller area comprised of the area where existing astronomy facilities are located, Halepōhaku, and the roadway connecting the two areas; and
3. the no action alternative.

Many past studies, including several by 糖心Vlog官方, have documented the significance of Maunakea in Hawaiian culture. Since those studies were published, community interest has increased and a new generation of cultural practitioners have become active. Both new and longstanding practitioners are encouraged to participate in the process.

Go to to learn more about the CIA, participate in the cultural practices questionnaire, and view the EIS Preparation Notice. CIA questionnaires will be accepted through March 31, 2022. Responses to the questionnaire will help 糖心Vlog官方 identify individuals to be interviewed to further inform the CIA. The draft EIS, with a draft CIA attached, is expected to be released for public comment around midyear 2022.

Kaimipono Consulting Services, LLC and Pacific Consulting Services, Inc. are preparing the CIA.

• Related 糖心Vlog官方 News stories:
  • Governor Ige approves Maunakea administrative rules, January 13, 2020
  • 糖心Vlog官方 Regents approve new Maunakea Master Plan, January 20, 2022
  • Native Hawaiian scientists release paper on indigenous perspectives on Maunakea, January 6, 2020

The University of Hawaiʻi Maunakea Rangers responded to a tour van fire about halfway up Maunakea Access Road Tuesday, November 9, near the 13,803-foot summit. The vehicle was engulfed in flames when the rangers arrived after the driver quickly evacuated the eight passengers after smelling smoke. Rangers said the swift action by the driver likely prevented injuries and saved lives as fire burns more rapidly at higher elevations.

“When we arrived on scene, explosions were coming from the vehicle, and our priority was to keep everyone away from harm and make sure that emergency response was called,” said Maunakea Ranger Oscar Pouoa.

The Maunakea Rangers, who are part of the 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo (CMS), were the first emergency personnel to arrive on scene, about 5 minutes after the first report. With the assistance of Maunakea Observatory staff, they secured the scene and transported the passengers to the Halepōhaku mid-level facility. A federal fire crew from the Pōhakuloa Training Area Fire, based 12 miles away, arrived 30 minutes later and extinguished the flames. The fire completely destroyed the van, and no other damage was reported in the area.

“This is an important reminder that the mauna can be as dangerous as it is awe inspiring,” said CMS Executive Director Greg Chun. “It’s isolated, we can experience extreme temperatures and conditions, and fire burns faster on the summit. That’s why our rangers are a key part of the Center of Maunakea Stewardship, where we also work hard to build relationships with multiple agencies to ensure coordination when responding to emergencies like this one.”

Chun added that emergency services may be two hours away from the summit area, cell phone coverage is unreliable, and there is only one public emergency phone on the summit.

With winter approaching and anticipated summit traffic typical after a heavy snowfall, CMS is urging visitors to exercise caution when traveling and visiting the summit of Maunakea. 糖心Vlog官方ors can monitor weather and road conditions online.

Be safe and respectful

Everyone is encouraged to act in a safe and responsible manner while on Maunakea and look out and care for others because of the dangerous conditions. Please be respectful of the fact that Maunakea is one of the most revered places in Hawaiʻi, and many visit the mauna for cultural and religious practices. For everyone鈥檚 safety, please heed all directions and precautions from Maunakea Rangers.

The is seeking public input on the decommissioning of the 贬艒办奴 Keʻa telescope on the summit of Maunakea. The feedback will be used to develop a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and a Site Decommissioning Plan (SDP) required by the Maunakea for 糖心Vlog官方-managed lands. Decommissioning includes the deconstruction and removal of the telescope facility and the restoration of the site. The draft EA process requires that the public consider alternatives, a total of four in this case:

1. No Action, or abandon in place
2. Removal of all buildings and abandon in place foundations and utilities below existing grade
3. Removal of all buildings and foundations, partial removal of utilities
4. Complete removal of all buildings, foundations, and utilities

SSFM International Inc. has been retained, , and are asking the public to submit written comments by July 17:

SSFM International, Inc.
Attn: Jennifer Scheffel
99 Aupuni Street, Suite 202
Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720

Or by email to: jscheffel@ssfm.com

There will be other opportunities for public feedback during the .

The Maunakea Management Board approved 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo鈥檚 Notice of Intent to decommission 贬艒办奴 Keʻa on February 18, 2020, with the condition that the university simultaneously proceed with the planning and permitting for a new educational telescope for 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo students and the Hawaiʻi Island community. Planning and permitting for a new educational telescope is a separate process that will also include identifying a location.

贬艒办奴 Keʻa is one of the first two telescopes set to be decommissioned on 糖心Vlog官方-managed Maunakea lands. The decommissioning of 贬艒办奴 Keʻa is anticipated to be completed in mid-to-late 2023.

The decommissioning of the second Maunakea telescope, California Institute of Technology Submillimeter Observatory (CSO), is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2021 and the restoration of the site to be completed by mid-to-late 2022. CSO is currently drafting its site decommissioning plan.

Related 糖心Vlog官方 News stories

• Restructuring of Maunakea management will provide greater accountability and transparency, May 20, 2020
• Decommissioning of 2 Maunakea telescopes expected to be complete by 2023, February 20, 2020
• Caltech seeks public input on decommissioning of its Maunakea telescope, December 4, 2017

Editor’s update, June 19, 2020: The 糖心Vlog官方 Board of Regents deferred action on the measure at its May 21 meeting. The proposed plan for unification and restructuring of the internal management and stewardship of Maunakea is expected to go to the board for a vote in 2020, possibly as early as the August 20 full board meeting.

A plan to restructure the internal management of University of Hawaiʻi-managed lands on Maunakea was presented to the 糖心Vlog官方 Board of Regents (BOR) on April 16. The plan covers all operating and advisory units associated with Maunakea and will make operations and management more efficient, effective and transparent.

The restructuring plan is one of 11 action items required by the November 2019 BOR resolution directing 糖心Vlog官方 leadership to strengthen its stewardship of Maunakea and is responsive to a recent fiscal review conducted by the 糖心Vlog官方 Office of Independent Audit.

Under the new structure, the lead organization will be the Center for Maunakea Stewardship, reporting directly to the 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo chancellor. The center will be accountable and responsible for all strategic implementation, planning, permitting, compliance oversight, outreach and research and academic coordination.

This internal restructuring is intended to optimize existing resources, competencies and relationships by establishing clear reporting, collaboration and advisory structures. It would bring together the Office of Maunakea Management and Maunakea Support Services (MKSS) while clarifying collaborative roles for the Institute for Astronomy and 驶Imiloa Astronomy Center. The roles of the major community advisory groups鈥擬aunakea Management Board, the Kahu K奴 Mauna Native Hawaiian advisory council and the Environmental Council鈥攚ould be strengthened to provide for engagement in strategy and policy matters. The role of the MKSS Oversight Committee (currently consisting of representatives of the various Maunakea Observatories) would also be formally articulated.

“This proposed management structure will improve transparency and lines of accountability, and clarify 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 oversight and stewardship roles in the broader Maunakea community and through the eyes of key stakeholders,” said Greg Chun, 糖心Vlog官方 executive director of Maunakea stewardship. “It will optimize existing resources, competencies and relationships; better reflect stakeholder representation and maintain governance continuity, which is important for discussions surrounding the future of astronomy on Maunakea.”

The plan was informed by input from the Maunakea Management Board, Kahu K奴 Mauna, the Maunakea Observatories, state and private sector land owners/managers and other Hawaiʻi Island community stakeholders, as would be its implementation. Following the discussion at its April meeting, the Board of Regents proposed to formally consider approving the restructuring plan at its May meeting.

What might a new Maunakea governance structure look like?

Another action item called for by the BOR in its 2019 resolution was for the administration to consider and analyze alternative governance structures for Maunakea that the state may choose to advance in the future. Chun presented to the BOR for discussion four models that have been developed with broad input from 糖心Vlog官方 and non-糖心Vlog官方 stakeholders, and discussed in multiple venues. The four alternatives presented include:

1. Creating a new Maunakea Stewardship Authority attached to a state agency, which would hold the master lease and be responsible for all aspects of managing and stewarding the mountain and astronomy support;
2. Eliminating the master lease and having Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) and Department of Land and Natural Resources directly responsible for all aspects of managing and stewarding the mountain and astronomy support;
3. Issuing a new master lease to a new third party selected by BLNR through some process to be determined; and
4. Establishing a collaborative stewardship model for Maunakea involving all stakeholders in which 糖心Vlog官方 would hold a master lease only for what is referred to as the astronomy precinct and Hale P艒haku.

Chun highlighted other examples in Hawaiʻi on which these models were patterned and shared the considerations that might drive a decision by state policymakers as to the preferred model moving forward. These alternatives will be further explored in partnership with DLNR in consultation with the community.

“It is important that the regents and our policymakers have a full understanding of possible alternatives when it comes to the management of the mauna, to chart the best path forward, not just for 糖心Vlog官方 and astronomy, but for the state,” said Chun.

• The Resolution
• (PDF)
• (PDF)

The (VIS) on Hawaiʻi Island will suspend operations starting Sunday March 15, in response to the COVID-19 situation.

The move is being made as a health and safety measure as many other operations around the state and the world are conducting similar closures. The closure is effective as of 6 p.m. on March 15.

“We understand that the 糖心Vlog官方or Information Center is helpful to those who visit Maunakea,” General Manager of Maunakea Observatory Support Services Stewart Hunter said. “However, we want to be prudent for the welfare of our visitors and our staff during this extraordinary time. We appreciate the understanding of the public.”

The parking lot will remain open as well as the portable toilets there. While the mountain remains open to the public, officials encourage everyone to follow health department recommendations on social distancing and protection.

VIS administrators will continue to meet and discuss the latest developments to determine when they should reopen and resume operations.

The decommissioning of two telescopes on University of Hawaiʻi-managed lands on Maunakea is tentatively scheduled to be completed by 2023. This is according to an update provided by the university to the 糖心Vlog官方 Board of Regents (BOR) at the board鈥檚 February 20 meeting at 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu. The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) Submillimeter Observatory and the 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo 贬艒办奴 Keʻa teaching telescope are both making progress in the extensive decommissioning process, according to 糖心Vlog官方 Executive Director of Maunakea Stewardship Greg Chun, who provided the update to the regents.

The BOR adopted a resolution in November 2019 directing 糖心Vlog官方 leadership to strengthen its stewardship of Maunakea and report back regularly on the progress of 11 action items. The first action item in the resolution is the decommissioning of Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO) and 贬艒办奴 Keʻa.

Telescope decommissioning process

The 2010 Decommissioning Plan for the Maunakea Observatories, a sub-plan of the Maunakea Comprehensive Management Plan, describes the four-step decommissioning process for the removal of an observatory followed by a site restoration to its original state, to the greatest extent possible.

糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 Office of Maunakea Management (OMKM) is responsible for coordinating the overall process and coordinating with the State of Hawaiʻi and the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The respective observatory is responsible for preparing the Site Decommissioning Plan along with compliance and permit documents and implementing decommissioning.

CSO decommissioning update

CSO is the first telescope/observatory to undertake the decommissioning process after it announced it would cease operations. The deconstruction and site restoration work is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2021 and be completed by mid-to-late 2022. The financial responsibility of the removal and site restoration rests fully with Caltech. The decommissioning will include the removal of the dome, outbuildings and related infrastructure along with the restoration of the site. The astronomical instruments inside the observatory have already been removed.

CSO is now finalizing the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) after completing the required technical surveys, including an Environmental Site Assessment and a Hazardous Materials Assessment. Caltech commissioned a number of studies for the process including an archeological assessment, a cultural setting analysis, a hydrogeological evaluation, a biological inventory, a biological setting analysis, a traffic analysis and an asbestos/lead paint/mold survey.

Along with completing the draft EA, which describes the site as well as the potential impacts of the decommissioning process, CSO is also in the process of completing the historic preservation review, Draft Mitigation/Monitoring Plan and Decommissioning Funding Plan.

As part of the process laid out in the 2010 Decommissioning Plan for the Maunakea Observatories, CSO is also required to complete a Site Deconstruction and Removal Plan and a Site Restoration Plan, all of which are subject to approval by OMKM and the appropriate agencies (along with the necessary permits) before deconstruction can begin.

贬艒办奴 Keʻa decommissioning update

The deconstruction and site restoration of 贬艒办奴 Keʻa is tentatively scheduled to begin in early 2023 and take about six months. The project will follow the detailed process in the Decommissioning Plan for the Maunakea Observatories.

On February 18, 2020, the Maunakea Management Board approved 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo鈥檚 Notice of Intent to decommission the 贬艒办奴 Keʻa telescope on the condition that the university simultaneously proceed with the planning and permitting for a new teaching telescope for 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo students and the Hawaiʻi Island community. The process includes identifying a new location, possibly the Hale P艒haku mid-level facilities on Maunakea. The university is financially responsible for the decommissioning of 贬艒办奴 Keʻa and establishing the new 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo teaching telescope.

The university selected a construction project management firm in February 2020 to handle the planning and permitting for the telescope decommissioning that includes preparing the Environmental Assessment, hazardous material assessments, State Historic Preservation Division clearances, Conservation District use application, design/bid construction package and the archeological plan along with the community consultation, the Kahu K奴 Mauna (Native Hawaiian volunteer community-based advisory council) review and acquiring the necessary permits.

The university is in the process of awarding a contract to identify a new location and begin the planning process for the 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo teaching telescope, which would be considerably smaller than the current telescopes on Maunakea.