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Hōkū Ke‘a Decommissioning Project Draft EA

Aloha and welcome to the Hōkū Ke‘a Decommissioning Project Virtual Open House hosted by the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo (UH Hilo).  The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo (UH Hilo) intends to decommission the Hōkū Ke‘a Observatory, which is located within the Maunakea Science Reserve on the Island of Hawai‘i.

The Proposed Action includes full removal of the Observatory Building and Generator Building and associated telecommunications and electrical infrastructure and partial restoration. Please scroll through this webpage to learn more about the proposed project, the environmental review process, and the schedule moving forward. 

A Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) was published on September 8, 2021. The public comment period ended on October 8, 2021.

 

CLICK HERE TO READ THE DRAFT EA

Virtual Community Meeting

Project Background

Observatory Historical Timeline

Project Location

Proposed Action

The Proposed Action in the Environmental Assessment would include

  • Complete removal of the Hōkū Ke‘a Observatory Building, including foundation and underground utilities.
  • Complete removal of the Generator building, including foundation and underground utilities.
  • Removal of conduit and electric conductor from the Observatory building to the roadway. 
  • Restoration of the site including backfill with local native cinder, compact excavated areas to allow continued use for sunset viewing and trailhead access, and lining the top of the slope with a barrier such as large, local boulders or a guardrail.

 

Click on the blue icons for information

Anticipated Potential Impacts

Short-term and Temporary

Beneficial

Secondary

Anticipated Finding of No Significant Impact

Based on the significance criteria set forth in HAR Chapter 11-200.1, it is anticipated that the Proposed Action would not have a significant effect on the environment and that a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) would be filed with the State of Hawai‘i Office of Environmental Quality Control following the public comment period.

Project Timeline & Next Steps
  • Environmental Assessment (Early 2020 thru Early 2022)

  • Site Decommissioning Plan (Mid-2020 thru Early-2022)

  • Conservation District Use Permit (Early-2022 thru Early-2023)

  • County Building Permit (Mid-2022 thru Early-2023)

  • Contracting (Early-2023 thru Mid-2023)

  • Construction & Site Restoration (Mid-2023 thru Mid-2024)

Mahalo for visiting Hōkū Ke‘a Decommissioning Project Draft EA virtual open house. The public comment period ended on October 8, 2021. All comments and responses will be included in the Final EA.