Researcher to Present Insects of Maunakea

The environment on Maunakea is unique. It includes the alpine and subalpine communities that are home to a variety of plants, arthropods, and birds including the Maunakea Silversword. OMKM photo.

The Office of Maunakea Management (OMKM), ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center and University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Department of Physics & Astronomy will present Heather Stever, research associate in Dr. Jesse Eiben’s “Teaching and Research Arthropod Collection” Laboratory, on Thursday, April 20, at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center’s Moanahuku Hall.

This  free lecture, part of a monthly scholar-focused presentation, is open to the public and starts at 7 pm.

Insects are all around us. Stever will explain the difference between insects and arthropods, and why insects and arthropods are so important in Hawai‘i.

Attendees will also learn about the arthropod diversity in the subalpine region of Maunakea and the important role these residents play in making Maunakea what it is.

Stever recently earned a Master of Science degree in Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, completing her thesis on arthropod diversity in Maunakea’s subalpine region.

Office of Maunakea Management wekiu map.

She plans to continue studying Maunakea’s arthropods when she enters the entomology Ph.D. program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa later this year.

The Maunakea Speaker Series is a monthly scholar-focused presentation offered as a partnership among the Office of Maunakea Management, ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center and the University of Hawai’i at Hilo Department of Physics & Astronomy.

This collaborative venture gives the community unprecedented access to fascinating research taking place on Maunakea and other topics unique to the island of Hawaiʻi. A venue for scholars to share their stories and learn from discussion, the series promotes understanding and collaboration across all sectors of the community, while addressing the goals of the UH at Hilo.

The ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center is located at 600 Imiloa Place in Hilo.

For more information go online or call (808) 933-0734.

About Office of Maunakea Management

The Office of Maunakea Management is charged with day-to-day management of Mauna Kea Science Reserve as prescribed in the Master Plan. The adoption of the Mauna Kea Science Reserve Master Plan by the University of Hawai’i Board of Regents in June 2000 marked a critical milestone in the management of Maunakea.

Meetings and public hearings spanning a period of nearly two years went into the formulation of the Master Plan, which established management guidelines for the next 20 years. The Master Plan reflected the community’s deeply rooted concerns over the use of Maunakea, including respect for Hawaiian cultural beliefs, protection of environmentally sensitive habitat, recreational use of the mountain, and astronomy research.

It places the focus of responsibility locally with the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. The UH-Hilo Chancellor established the Office of Maunakea Management and the Board of Regents established the Maunakea Management Board in the fall of 2000. The Maunakea Management Board in turn formed Kahu Kū Mauna, a council comprised of Hawaiian cultural resource persons to serve as advisors.

The mission of the Office of Maunakea Management is to achieve harmony, balance and trust in the sustainable management and stewardship of Mauna Kea Science Reserve through community involvement and programs that protect, preserve and enhance the natural, cultural and recreational resources of Maunakea while providing a world-class center dedicated to education, research and astronomy.