The University of Hawaii is requesting public comment about a draft environmental assessment for a new teaching telescope planned for Halepohaku on Maunakea.
The environmental assessment, published today in the state’s Environmental Notice, does not anticipate any significant environmental impact from the project, which would construct an 18-foot-diameter dome to house a telescope, as well a wooden deck connecting to an existing building at the Maunakea midlevel facility.
The site at Halepohaku is listed within the assessment as the best-suited for the purposes of an educational telescope, having the best sky-viewing conditions on the island without actually being on the summit itself.
People can submit comments about the assessment until Oct. 24. UH-Hilo will host an open house from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 5 at its Science and Technology Building that will include presentations about the project.
The assessment can be read and comments can be submitted at uhhet.konveio.com.