UH to cease science operations at Maunakea’s UKIRT telescope this fall

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The University of Hawaii will conclude science operations at the UKIRT telescope atop Maunakea in September.

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The United Kingdom Infrared Telescope is one of thirteen working telescopes on the mountain’s summit and the third to be decommissioned.

UH officials said Wednesday that aging infrastructure and funding challenges drove the decision to end operations on Sept. 15.

“For five decades, it has expanded our understanding of the universe, helped train generations of astronomers and strengthened Hawaii’s reputation as one of the world’s premier locations for astronomical discovery,” said Director of the UH Institute for Astronomy, Doug Simmons.

In a commitment to reduce the number of observatories atop Maunakea, the University of Hawaii developed the Maunakea Master Plan and Maunakea Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) in 2009, aiming to protect the cultural landscape and natural resources on the summit.

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Under the CMP’s Decommissioning Plan for the Maunakea Observatories, the University of Hawaii intends to remove five telescopes on UH-managed land on Maunakea, followed by the restoration of each site to its original state.

“Every decommissioning project is an opportunity to demonstrate that our commitment extends beyond astronomy to restoring these sites with care, respect, and purpose,” said UH Hilo Center for Maunakea Stewardship executive director, Greg Chun.

The university says it will work closely with the construction company through the decommissioning process, ensuring proper cultural training and Native Hawaiian protocol are implemented at each stage.

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