The University of Hawaii at Hilo is seeking public input on the decommissioning of the Hoku 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 Comprehensive Management Plan for university-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: no Action, or abandon in place; removal of all buildings and abandon in place foundations and utilities below existing grade; removal of all buildings and foundations, partial removal of utilities; and complete removal of all buildings, foundations, and utilities.
SSFM International Inc. has been retained todevelop the draft EA and SDP, and are asking the public to submit written comments by July 17 to SSFM International Inc., Attn: Jennifer Scheffel, 99 Aupuni St., Ste. 202, Hilo, HI 96720 or via email to jscheffel@ssfm.com.
There will be other opportunities for public feedback during the extensive decommissioning process.
The Maunakea Management Board approved UH-Hilo’s Notice of Intent to decommission Hoku Keʻa on Feb. 18 with the condition that the university simultaneously proceed with the planning and permitting for a new educational telescope for UH-Hilo students and the Hawaii Island community. Planning and permitting for a new educational telescope is a separate process that will also include identifying a location.
Hoku Keʻa is one of the first two telescopes set to be decommissioned on UH-managed Maunakea lands. The decommissioning of Hoku 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. A site decommissioning plan is currently being drafted.