Aerial view of telescopes on Maunakea. Keck and Subaru will be used to conduct research.
Researchers will conduct spectroscopic follow-up of interesting galaxies at the W.M. Keck Observatory and Subaru Telescope. Subaru’s new instrument called the Prime Focus Spectrograph will be crucial for determining distances to all galaxies in the
JWST survey.
The program will log more than 200 hours of observation time on Maunakea to conduct an ambitious survey of half a million galaxies. An unprecedented 32,000 galaxies will be observed using mid-infrared imaging. Researchers will rapidly release data to the public so it can lead to other studies.
Free kits with activities and games will be available to celebrate the Maunakea Observatories’ annual science event AstroDay (traditionally a hands-on celebration). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s celebration is going hybrid and AstroDay kits will be available from Friday, April 30 through Sunday, May 2 at Prince Kūhiō Plaza in Hilo.
“We’re thrilled to bring back AstroDay in person in some way, and believe the hybrid nature of this year’s event keeps the spirit of astronomy alive in a way that is safe and fun for everyone,” said
Carolyn Kaichi, event coordinator, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Institute for Astronomy (
The project to retrofit the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex is proceeding as the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus is preparing to host Rainbow Warrior football games and up to 10,000 fans in time for the 2021 home season opener on September 4.
UH is working under a tight deadline after being notified in December 2020 that Aloha Stadium, the Rainbow Warriors’ home field since 1975, would not be available to host fans for the next three football seasons. The Ching Athletics Complex currently has about 3,500 seats.
The fast-tracked project is expected to cost about $8.3 million. The initial 1-year estimate was lower because it was based on renting grandstand seats for $1.6m/year. After getting a price to purchase the bleachers it became clear that would be financially advantageous over the minimum 3-year period planned for football. The project will proceed simultaneously with a previously scheduled and funded $1.8 million project to replace the Ching Field turf and in
Less than a quarter of Hawaiʻi high schools offer any type of journalism program or training. To provide a valuable opportunity for those talented students and spark more interest in journalism education across the state, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa journalism program in the School of Communications co-hosted the virtual Hawaiʻi High School Journalism Awards with the Hawaiʻi Publishers Association and Honolulu Star-Advertiser on April 15.
Twelve high school programs submitted entries in several categories including writing, photography, design and online. The first place winner was Hawaiʻi Baptist Academy, followed by Mid-Pacific Institute and Mililani High School.
UHERO).
Despite progress in vaccinations, Hawaiʻi has undergone a rise in new infections with recent cases concentrated among younger, unvaccinated individuals. On April 3, the seven-day average for new COVID-19 cases hit a peak of 117 new daily cases and has since declined slightly.
A new mobility report by
UHERO shows 27% of residents are staying completely at home on a given day in early April 2021, only 7% more than pre-pandemic levels. During infection peaks in March and August 2020, 40% remained at home.
The mobility data allows for a comparison across islands and neighborhoods. Maui has undergone a steep decline in the share of residents staying at home, which correlates with the timing of rising infections.