10th Annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet

October 10th, 2009  

Hale Pohaku, Mauna Kea – Hawaii Island – The Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station’s ( VIS ) Annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet was hosted at Hale Pohaku this past Saturday night (10/10/09).  Over 90 volunteers and guests joined in the celebration.  The volunteer program started on Mauna Kea in 1999 with a small but dedicated group of 27 volunteers.  From this humble beginning, great things have grown.  The volunteer program has multiplied more than seven times that size with 191 active volunteers last year.

Many special awards (*) were presented at the banquet, but there were four especially notable awards.  Clifford Livermore of Waikaloa was named “Volunteer of the Year”* with his amazing lifetime dedication of over 2,500 hours of volunteer service.  During the ceremony Mr. Livermore was also awarded the first ever “Hoku Welowelo Nui”* Award for his long-term commitment to Mauna Kea .  Mr. Livermore was one of the original 27 volunteers at the VIS back in 1999.  UH Hilo Astronomy Student, Robert Albarran was named the “Most Dedicated Volunteer”* generously giving 817 volunteer hours last year alone.  In addition, Mr. Albarran also received the award for “Most Outstanding International Student” as he originates from Mexico City .   Subaru Telescope Operator, Dan Birchall, received the “Hoku Award”* for having over 1,000 lifetime volunteer hours at the Visitor Information Station.

"The banquet this year was the most attended yet.  It feels great to be able to bring all of the volunteers together and let the astronomical community and the Visitor Information Station Staff show their appreciation for the commendable work that these individuals do.  I have seen literally thousands of people leave the Visitor Station having observed different planets and other galaxies through a telescope for the first time, leaving with an entirely different outlook on the Universe and our place within it, and the Mauna Kea Volunteers are a leading source of inspiration for that," remarked Callie McNew, Volunteer Coordinator and Interpretive Guide at the VIS. 

Volunteers on Mauna Kea come from all walks of life.  University of Hawaii students and Community Volunteers contributed the majority (39% each) of volunteer hours last year.  Observatory Affiliated (13%) and Retirees (9%) made up the difference.  McNew went on to explain, "Since the Volunteer Program began in 1999, we have had approximately 1,200 individuals contribute almost 77,500 volunteer hours.  Last year alone 191 individuals contributed 10,708 volunteer hours.  Their commitment to Mauna Kea is a true reflection of the respect and admiration our Big Island Community has for this Culturally and Scientifically rich mountain”.    

During the banquet, Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) Board of Directors and Science Advisory Committee Member, Dr. Richard Ellis, was the keynote speaker with many kind words of thanks for the volunteers.  During his presentation, Dr. Ellis showed some of the new Hubble images and explained what such deep images mean for what is capable with the TMT.  This year's banquet was dedicated in memory of John Altonn, Rowland Casile, and Earl Farnsworth; three men who contributed a substantial amount of volunteer time on Mauna Kea , and are dearly missed by the volunteers and staff. 

Volunteers are always welcome.  Applications to become a Mauna Kea volunteer can be obtained online at http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/vis or in person at the Visitor Information Station.

2009 Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station Volunteer Award List:

*Volunteer of the Year:  Clifford Livermore

*Most Dedicated:  Robert Albarran

*Hoku Welowelo Nui:  Clifford Livermore

*Hoku:  Dan Birchall

Ohana O Ka Lani:  Kelly and Shori Whelan

Outstanding International Student:  Robert Albarran

Rising Star:  Joe Hannan

Special Musical and Cultural Contributions:  Terry Thomas

Miss Congeniality:  Lorna Wilson

Pu’uwai Ikaika O Mauna Kea:  Richard Hilliard

Exemplary Observer:  Andrew Cooper

Stellar Spirit:  Chris Belluardo