Mentor: Leinani Lozi
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:
Internship Schedule
Visit the Telescope – Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026
08:00 am – 02:00 pm (6 hours) Visit the Gemini North Telescope at the summit of Maunakea for an immersive experience in learning about telescope operations.
08:00 am – Welcome to the Gemini Hilo Base Facility (670 N Aohoku Pl.) with Leinani Lozi.
08:15 am – Depart for Maunakea visit.
09:00 am – Arrive at the Visitor Information Station (VIS) and participate in Native Hawaiian protocol for entering the wahi pana (sacred space) of Maunakea.
09:20 am – Astronomy and ʻāina presentations at the VIS.
10:00 am – Drive to the summit of Maunakea.
10:30 am – Tour the Gemini North Telescope.
12:00 pm – Tour pau. Drive to Hale Pōhaku (HP), right above the VIS.
12:30 pm – Lunch at HP (provided).
01:15 pm – Drive back to Hilo.
02:00 pm – Pau for the day.
Hilinamā Internship – Monday through Friday, Oct. 5 – 9, 2026
(Exact details subject to change)
Monday, 01:00 pm to 09:00 pm (8 hours)
Tour of the Hilo Base Facility, introduction to astronomy and the Legacy Image Project, and shadow nightly remote telescope operations.
01:00 pm – Welcome back to Gemini Hilo Base Facility with Leinani.
01:15 pm – Tour the Gemini Hilo Base Facility with Emily Peavy.
02:30 pm – Introduction to Hawaiian Astronomy with Leilehua Yuen.
03:30 pm – Astronomy 101 with Emily.
04:30 pm – Break.
04:45 pm – Individual research on potential astronomical targets for Legacy Image Project.
05:30 pm – Dinner (please bring your own food).
06:30 pm – Shadow Control Room Operations and work on Imaging Project.
09:00 pm – Pau!
Tuesday, 09:00 am to 05:00 pm (8 hours)
Gemini Legacy Imaging Project work day including special presentations with Gemini scientists.
09:00 am – Arrive at Gemini Hilo Base Facility and share reflections from the previous day.
09:30 am – Learn about GMOS imager with Julia Scharwaechter.
10:30 am – Learn about processing astronomical images with Jen Miller and Matias Rodriguez.
11:30 am – Lunch (please bring your own food).
12:30 pm – Individual research on potential astronomical targets for Legacy Image Project.
01:30 pm – Tour HBF instrument lab with Christophe Clergeon.
02:30 pm – Q&A with a panel of Astronomers.
03:30 pm – Group work on Legacy Image Project.
04:30 pm – Reflections on the day.
05:00 pm – Pau!
Wednesday, 09:30 am to 09:30 pm (12 hours)
Engage in environmental conservation and cultural learning 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.
09:30 am – Arrive at Gemini Hilo Base Facility.
09:45 am – Depart for the VIS.
10:30 am – Wahi Pana Protocol at the Ahinahina enclosure.
11:00 am – Culture and ʻāina presentations with Center for Maunakea Stewardship (CMS)
12:00 pm – Lunch at HP (provided).
01:00 pm – Malama ʻāina with CMS.
04:00 pm – Dinner at HP (provided).
05:00 pm – Learn about small telescope setup and operations for stargazing events.
06:00 pm – Sunset.
07:00 pm – Stargazing.
08:00 pm – Pack up.
08:45 pm – Depart from HP.
09:30 pm – Arrive back at Gemini Hilo Base Facility.
Thursday, 09:00 am to 05:00 pm (8 hours)
Legacy Image Project and presentations work day.
09:00 am – Arrive at Gemini Hilo Base Facility and share reflections from the previous day.
09:30 am – Group work on Legacy Image Project
11:30 am – Lunch (please bring your own food).
12:30 pm – Group work on presentations.
04:30 pm – Reflections on the day.
05:00 pm – Pau!
Friday, 02:00 pm to 10:00 pm (8 hours)
End of internship presentations and co-host stargazing public event at the VIS. Friends and family are invited to stargazing.
02:00 pm – Arrive at Gemini Hilo Base Facility and finish internship presentations.
02:45 pm – Drive to the VIS.
03:30 pm – Wahi Pana Protocol at the Ahinahina enclosure at the VIS.
04:00 pm – Dinner at HP (provided).
05:00 pm – Interns share their presentations with staff and ʻohana at HP.
06:00 pm – Sunset and setup for stargazing event.
09:00 pm – Stargazing pau! Takedown event
09:30 pm – Drive back to Gemini Hilo
10:15 pm – Pau!
Virtual Wrap Up Session: TBA
Internship Meeting Location:
670 N. A’ohoku Place
Hilo, Hawaii, 96720
Check out what our Summer 2026 interns accomplished! https://sites.google.com/hawaii.edu/gemini-2026/home