About Gemini Observatory / NSF NOIRLab

Project Hōkūlani interns at the Gemini Observatory in Hilo, Hawaiʻi will engage in learning about astronomical science and operations alongside a holistic and culturally-grounded understanding of Maunakea. Through field trips and collaborations with various Maunakea-centered organizations, students can experience the many perspectives of Maunakea and the work that takes place on the mauna in studying the universe and protecting the mauna’s sensitive environment.

Projects
★  Visit the Maunakea summit and Hilo base facilities of the Gemini North Telescope.
★ Shadow an observatory profession of your choice including astronomers, scientists, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, software engineers, technicians, outreach specialists, leadership, administration, human resources, travel coordinator and more.
★ Co-host a public stargazing event withʻOhana Kilo Hōkū.
★ Create a name and description for a Gemini Legacy Image that will be distributed world-wide.
★ Give a brief presentation at the Gemini facility about the internship experience.

Outcome
★ Gain an understanding of how beautiful space images are captured and science is conducted using the Maunakea Observatories and their unique technology.
★ Develop the skills necessary to conduct public stargazing events including knowledge of constellations, the Polynesian Voyaging Starlines, the Kaulana Mahina and how to operate a small telescope.
★ Increase awareness of career diversity on Maunakea including telescope operations and malama Maunakea.

Meet Our Internship Mentor: Leinani Lozi

Leinani Lozi is the Hawaiʻi Education and Engagement Manager at the Gemini North Telescope. She is passionate about indigenous knowledge systems, native plant restoration and providing unique education opportunities for Hawaiʻi keiki. She was born and raised on the island of Oʻahu in Koʻolaupoko and has lived in Hilo since 2013 where she graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. Leinani loves volunteer in aloha ʻāina activities like restoring fishpond walls at Hale O Lono or planting mamane and koa trees on Maunakea.

2026 Internship Schedule:

Visit the Telescope and Base Facility – Monday, March 16, 2026

08:00am – 02:00pm (6 hrs) Visit the Gemini North Telescope at the summit of Maunakea for an immersive experience in learning about telescope operations.

08:00 am – Meet Hawaiʻi Education Manager, Leinani Lozi at the Gemini Hilo Base Facility

08:15 am – Depart for the summit of Maunakea

09:00 am – Arrive at the Visitor Information Station and participate in Hawaiian protocol for entering sacred space at the ahinahina (silversword) enclosure

09:30 am – Science and safety presentations at Hale Pōhaku (HP)

10:00 am – Drive to the summit

10:30 am – Tour the Gemini North Telescope and meet the summit crew

12:00 pm – Tour pau. Drive back to HP

12:30 pm – Lunch at HP (provided)

01:15 pm – Drive back to Hilo

02:00 pm – Pau for the day

Online Workshop Astronomy 101 – Friday, April 3, 2026

09:30am – 10:30am (1 hr) Learn the basics of Astronomy with Education Assistant, Emily Peavy.

AstroDay – Saturday, May 2, 2026

11:00 am – 02:00 pm (3 hrs) Assist with science education demonstrations and activities at the annual AstroDay Hilo event at the Prince Kuhio Plaza. Interview other participating science organizations and learn about the various types of astronomy and telescopes on Maunakea. 

Summer Internship Week – Monday – Friday, June 1 – 5, 2026 

Monday, 01:00 pm to 09:00 pm (8 hrs)

Tour of the Gemini Hilo Base Facility, introduction to the Gemini Legacy Imaging Project, and shadow nightly remote telescope operations.

01:00 pm – Arrive at and tour the Gemini Hilo Base Facility

02:00 pm – Introduction to Hawaiian Astronomy with Cultural Resident Leilehua Yuen

02:30 pm – Crash course on Astronomy 102 with Emily

03:30 pm – Introduction to Gemini Legacy Imaging Project with Leinani

04:00 pm – Break

04:30 pm – Group work on Imaging Project and presentations

06:00 pm – Dinner (BYOBento)

07:00 pm – Shadow Control Room Operations

09:00 pm – Pau!

Tuesday, 09:00 am to 04:00 pm (7 hrs)

Gemini Legacy Imaging Project work day including special presentations with Gemini staff.

09:00 am – Arrive at Gemini Hilo Base Facility and share reflections from previous day

09:30 am – Learn about GMOS imager with Instrument Scientist, Julia Scharwaechter

10:30 am – Learn about processing astronomical images with Jen Miller

12:00 pm – Lunch (BYOBento)

01:00 pm – Tour HBF instrument lab with Christophe

02:00 pm – Group work on Imaging Project and presentations

04:00 pm – Pau!

Wednesday, 10:30 am to 10:30 pm (12 hrs)

Engage in environmental conservation and cultural preservation work on Maunakea with presentations and in the field experience. Setup, operate and takedown small telescopes for stargazing with the Visitor Information Station and learn Hawaiian constellations.

10:30 am – Arrive at Gemini Hilo Base Facility

10:45 am – Depart for the VIS

11:30 am – Wahi Pana Protocol at the Ahinahina enclosure

12:00 pm – Lunch at HP (provided)

01:00 pm – Talk story and mālama ʻāina with Center for Maunakea Stewardship

03:00 pm – Group work on videography

04:00 pm – Dinner at HP (provided)

05:00 pm – Learn about small telescope setup and operations for stargazing events

07:30 pm – Stargazing 

09:45 pm – Depart from HP

10:30 pm – Arrive back at Gemini Hilo Base Facility

Thursday, 09:00 am to 05:00 pm (5 hrs)

Gemini Legacy Imaging Project and presentations work day.

09:00 am – Arrive at Gemini Hilo Base Facility and share reflections from previous day

09:30 am – Group work on Imaging Project and presentations

12:00 pm – Lunch (BYOBento)

01:00 pm – Group work on Imaging Project and presentations

02:00 pm – Pau! 

Friday, 02:45 pm to 10:45 pm (8 hrs)

End of internship presentations and co-host stargazing public event at the VIS. 

02:45 pm – Arrive at Gemini Hilo Base Facility and drive to the VIS

03:30 pm – Wahi Pana Protocol at the Ahinahina enclosure at the VIS

04:00 pm – Dinner at HP (provided)

05:30 pm – Interns share their presentations with staff and ʻohana at HP

06:30 pm – Sunset and setup for stargazing event

07:30 pm – Stargazing

09:00 pm – Stargazing pau! Takedown event

10:00 pm – Drive back to Gemini Hilo

10:45 pm – Pau!

Internship Meeting Location:

670 N. A’ohoku Place
Hilo, Hawaii, 96720