Science and Projects

Maunakea Speaker Series

Maunakea Speaker Series Header: A monthly scholar-focused presentation, in partnership with ʻImiloa Astronomy Center and UH Hilo Dept. of Physics and Astronomy

The Maunakea Speaker Series is a monthly scholar-focused presentation offered as a partnership between the Office of Maunakea Management, ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, and the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Department of Physics & Astronomy. Typically held on the 3rd Thursday of each month, this collaborative venture gives the community unprecedented access to fascinating research taking place on Maunakea and other topics unique to the Island of Hawaiʻi. A venue for scholars to share their stories and learn from discussion, the series promotes understanding and collaboration across all sectors of the community, while addressing the goals of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.

Recorded Presentations

Hot Stars and Dark Matter from the Students of Maunakea Scholars

July 3, 2019

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Ronny Whitter (Kapolei High School), JC Dumaslan (Waipahu High School), and Mary Beth Laychak & Doug Simons (Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope)

Tapping into Local Science and Technology Talent—The Akamai Internship Program

June 19, 2019

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Lisa Hunter, Institute for Scientist & Engineer Educators, University of California Santa Cruz

Evolution of an oddity: An exploration of the wēkiu bug's isolation and adaptations on Maunakea

May 30, 2019

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Heather Stever (University of California Merced) and Dr. Jesse Eiben (University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo)

What's slowing forest restoration at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge?

April 4, 2019

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Dr. Evan Rehm, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara

The only way is up? How are Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa alpine plants responding to rapid climate change?

March 21, 2019

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Dr. James Juvik, Emeritus Professor at University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.

Tackling Tomorrow's Issues: Hilo High School Student Science

January 10, 2019

Local high school students share their insights, enthusiasm and knowledge from Science Fair projects, Internships, and research on topics ranging from engineering internships, public health research, and environmental issues.

What's Up on Maunakea? Insect diversity and ecosystem monitoring for conservation and land management

December 20, 2018

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Dr. Jesse Eiben, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

The Plants and Vegetation of Maunakea from Tree-line to Summit

November 15, 2018

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Dr. Grant Gerrish

Year 11 – The Hawaiʻi Experimental Tropical Forest

October 18, 2018

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Dr. Susan Cordell, US Forest Service - Institute for Pacific Islands Forestry

Managing Ants on the Big Island: How to keep the beasts at bay

September 20, 2018

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Michelle Montgomery, Hawaiʻi Ant Lab

Dark Nebula, Dwarf galaxies and the Students who Explore Them: The Maunakea Scholars of Honokaʻa High School

July 19, 2018

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Hokunani Sanchez & Keilani Steele of Honokaʻa High School and Mary Beth Laychak & Doug Simons of Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope

New Insights into the Groundwater Hydrology of Mauna Kea and Hawaiʻi Island

June 21, 2018

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Dr. Donald Thomas, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

Keeping up with the coast: quantifying shoreline change on Hawaiʻi Island

May 10, 2018

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Rose Hart, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

Mapping change at the Maunakea summit

April 26, 2018

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Dr. Ryan Perroy, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

Maunakea - what makes it the best astronomical site in the world

March 14, 2018

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Dr. Mark Chun, University of Hawaiʻi Institute for Astronomy

Maunakea Weather Center: More than Forecasting Passing Showers

February 22, 2018

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Ryan Lyman, Maunakea Weather Center

Ten Years of Lunar Eclipse Photometry

February 1, 2018

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Dr. Elmar Schmidt, SRH University of Applied Sciences, Heidelberg Germany

High School Student Presentations

January 11, 2018

Local high school students share their insights, enthusiasm and knowledge from Science Fair projects, Internships, and research on topics ranging from engineering internships, public health research, and environmental issues. The speakers include: Caleb Rogers (Hilo High), Anne Nakamoto (Waiakea High), Ara Uhr (Hilo High), Jared Goodwin (Hilo High), and Ina Klasner (Hilo High).

He Lani Ko Luna, A Sky Above: "In losing the sight of land, you discover the stars"

November 30, 2017

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Kālepa Baybayan, ʻImiloa Astronomy Center (@ UH Hilo Wentworth Hall Room #1)

The Growth and Evolution of Maunakea Volcano, A Geologic Story of Sibling Rivalry

October 17, 2017

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Dr. Ken Hon, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, Geology

Past and Future Climate on Maunakea

September 26, 2017

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Dr. Steven Businger, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Department of Atmospheric Sciences - September 26, 2017 Event Announcement - September 26, 2017 Flyer

Due to a power failure only the 1st half of the presentation was recorded. Slides from the 2nd half (slide #44 and on) are available in pdf format.

Tracing the Movement of Ancient Hawaiian Adzes through the Islands

August 24, 2017

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Dr. Peter Mills, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, Anthropology

Maunakea Scholars Share their Observation Experience

June 15, 2017

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Hokunani Sanchez & Keilani Steele of Honokaʻa High School and Mary Beth Laychak & Doug Simons of Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope

Using Environmental Data to Model Habitat Suitability on Maunakea

May 31, 2017

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Nathan Stephenson, Research Associate at UH Hilo

Lake Waiau: A Study of a Tropical Alpine Lake, Past and Present

May 18, 2017

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Dr. Jane Massey Licata, Rutgers University

Arthropod Diversity in the Subalpine Region of Maunakea

April 20, 2017

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Heather Stever, Research Associate at UH Hilo

Raising Awareness of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death

March 23, 2017

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Dr. J.B. Friday, Extension Forester with the University of Hawaiʻi Cooperative Extension Service in Hilo

Birds of Paradise Lost: Evolution, Extinction and Conservation of Hawaiʻi's Birds

February 9, 2017

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Dr. Rob Fleischer, Senior Scientist with Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park

The History of Snow & Ice on the Summits of Hawaiʻi

November 20, 2014

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Dr. Norbert Schorghofer of University of Hawaii at Manoa

November 20, 2014 Event Announcement

Tropical Mountain Permafrost

October 24, 2014

A Maunakea Speaker Series presentation by Dr. Kenji Yoshikawa of University of Alaska Fairbanks

Event Announcement