UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I AT MANOA OUTREACH COLLEGE
Community Services Division
Traditional and Modern Astronomy in Hawai`i
Info: Jun 4 • Wed • 7:00pm • Yukiyoshi Room, Krauss Hall 012 • Free • For more information, call 956-8246.
This talk will highlight some of the extraordinary astronomy which is a part of Hawai`i. It will begin with the Kanaka Maoli`s close relationship with kilo hoku (astronomy) and point out some of the events in our history that have led to today`s connection between Hawai`i and modern astronomy. The historical highlights will include stories of Mo`ikeha - a traditional navigator, Kamehameha Nui, James Cook, and Kalakaua Ali`i. The talk will end with a look at current plans for astronomy here in Hawai`i and the speaker`s hope for the future.
Paul H.I. Coleman, Associate Astronomer, University of Hawai`i`s Institute for Astronomy (IFA)
In the early seventies, Paul Henry Ikaika Coleman left his birthplace in Hawai`i to attend the University of Notre Dame. There he obtained a B.S. in physics and began an almost 30-year journey throughout the world before returning home to Hawai`i. He obtained a Ph.D. in 1985 from the University of Pittsburgh and has held positions at many institutions including the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Virginia Tech, The Kapteyn Astronomical Institute in The Netherlands, The Very Large Array in New Mexico, and Yale University.
Paul came full circle when he was hired as an associate astronomer at the Institute for Astronomy where he does research, public outreach, and teaches astronomy. He is also the project scientist on the Faulkes Telescope North, the world`s largest telescope dedicated to K-12 students in England and Hawai`i. He is a member of the University`s Kuali`i Council, a body of Native Hawaiian professors, instructors, and graduate students at the Manoa campus.
Since returning home, Paul has become more involved in Native issues and cultural concerns. As a Native Hawaiian, he is a natural role model for kids in Hawai`i. Paul is a member of several advisory councils aimed at increasing the number of children in science and technology fields and he hopes to increase Native Hawaiian involvement at all levels in the excellent astronomy effort in Hawai`i. In what little spare time he has, he enjoys spending it with his two beautiful daughters, Hali`a and Nohea.