The Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet took place Oct. 24 at Hale Pohaku at the 9,200-foot level of the mountain.
More than 70 guests attended the event to celebrate the number of hours of work each volunteer put in during the past fiscal year.
In 1999, the volunteer program began on Mauna Kea with 27 volunteers coming up on various nights to help with stargazing.
Since the start of the volunteer program, more than 2,100 volunteers have given their time and shared their knowledge about the night sky, the mountain’s historical and natural resources, and the place of all these in Hawaiian culture.
The volunteer program on Mauna Kea includes many different opportunities. Volunteers interact with the public to explain the many wonders of Mauna Kea, including the cultural history of the mountain, geology, flora and fauna as well as assisting with the stargazing program.
Volunteers also assist with grounds maintenance, trash pickup and outreach events such as Astroday and the Merrie Monarch parade. Mauna Kea volunteers provide much-needed help to the VIS so it can continue delivering on its mission of providing educational and safety information to Mauna Kea visitors.
Kohei Yamazaki was named Volunteer of the Year for his dedication and knowledge of the night sky. Yamazaki has volunteered since 2007 and accumulated 1,146 hours of volunteer work, which also earned him the Hoku ‘Ekahi award.
Cliff Livermore, a volunteer since 1999, was awarded the Hoku ‘Ehiku award and the Most Dedicated award for reaching more than 7,000 hours of volunteering. The Hoku ‘Ekahi award also went to Shori Whelan and Yoleen Lucas for more than 1,000 hours of volunteering.
The Hoku ‘Elua award went to Josh Williams for more than 2,000 hours of volunteering.
“I am glad to be able to work with volunteers from all walks of life including students from the university, community members, international volunteers, visitors and with astronomers from the observatories on the summit,” said volunteer coordinator Callie Crowder. “Altogether, volunteers contributed over 7,176 hours of their time to the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station.
“Without the help of our volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to care for the mountain or visitors nearly as well as we do.”
“The volunteer program on Mauna Kea aims to make the experience of volunteering as meaningful and enjoyable as the experience of visiting Mauna Kea,” said Joseph McDonough, Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station manager. “Our goal is that everyone who volunteers is enriched by the mountain and by their service.”
Volunteers are always welcome. Applications to become a Mauna Kea volunteer can be made online at www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/vis/volunteer-program.html or in person at the information station.
