The Kamaʻāina Connections Program was created to foster a greater appreciation of Hawaiian and local culture throughout the Maunakea Observatories. The program is open to all kamaʻāina observatory employees and is designed to cultivate connections between the observatories and local communities, and to promote personal growth and leadership through a Native Hawaiian-informed lens.
KAMAʻĀINA CONNECTIONS
Since its launch in 2021, the Kamaʻāina Connections Program (KCP) has welcomed three cohorts of employees from the observatories. Each cohort engages in educational sessions, workshops, guest lectures, and community conversations that empower participants to serve as leaders in the field of astronomy in ways that center Hawaiʻi’s values and cultural perspectives.
In 2024, KCP introduced a new series of Mālama Maunakea Workshops that bring together existing KCP members and future program graduates to engage in aloha ʻāina environmental stewardship, facilitated discussions, and new KCP-led initiatives.
Check out experiences shared by previous cohorts of the Kamaʻāina Connections Program, including our new series of Mālama Maunakea Workshops. These workshops will engage existing Kamaʻāina Connections Program ʻOhana members and future program graduates in productive gatherings ranging from aloha ʻāina environmental stewardship, facilitated discussions, and new initiatives led by the Kamaʻāina Connections Program.
How to Participate
Interested in joining the Kamaʻāina Connections Program? Kamaʻāina and Native Hawaiian employees of the Maunakea Observatories are warmly encouraged to participate.