HILO >> University of Hawaii President Evan S. Dobelle announced a number of actions yesterday to foster astronomy on Mauna Kea while preserving the integrity of the mountain. UH plans aim to
preserve Mauna KeaBy Rod Thompson
rthompson@starbulletin.comPaul Coleman, believed to be the only Hawaiian holding a doctorate in astronomy, has been hired to join the Hilo branch of the university's Institute for Astronomy, Dobelle said. Coleman is currently employed at the University of Puerto Rico.
Dobelle also proposed renaming the Hilo branch to the Malama Mauna Kea Center. "Malama" means to preserve and protect, an apparent response to past criticism that the university did not adequately care for cultural and biological resources at the summit.
Dobelle named William Stormont as director of Mauna Kea Management, replacing retired Judge Walter Heen, who held the post created last year on an interim basis. A native of the Big Island, Stormont served as manager of the state Natural Area Reserve System on the Big Island for the past 10 years.
Stormont will eventually be in charge of all nonastronomical activities on Mauna Kea, including the summit road and the Hale Pohaku midlevel facility, supervising rather than replacing Ron Koehler, who has some of those duties now. Stormont will answer to UH-Hilo Chancellor Rose Tseng.
Dobelle also introduced George Jacob, named last month to head the planned $20 million Mauna Kea Astronomy Education Center. He was a former vice president at the Oregon Museum of Science and Technology.
Jacob said the center, to be completed in 31/2 years on 10 acres at the University Park for Science and Technology at UH-Hilo, will consist of four "quadrants."
Those will be devoted to Hawaiian heritage, the history of astronomy, basic astronomy exhibits for schoolchildren and advanced exhibits for researchers.
Dobelle reaffirmed an aspect of the Mauna Kea master plan adopted last year: dismantling obsolete observatories on the summit and reuse of their sites for new facilities rather than expanding to new ground.
Ka Leo O Hawaii
University of Hawaii
