Observatories on Maui (Kihei: job openings, universities, camp)

[SurfinGirl]

Hello! I am moving to Maui in June 08 (YES, can't wait!!!), I am obsessed with the observatories (and cosmology, astronomy, etc.) up on Haleakala. I would love nothing more than to work there but I have a degree in accounting and experience in Human Resources. Any ideas on what kind of jobs are available up there that don't require an astronomy degree? Thanks

[Eric82]

Astronomy and Space had become a huge facination of mine as well, and with a potential move coming up myself ( assuming the job interview goes well )

I had looked into the same thing, seemed like the best option was to be involved with the University of Hawaii, or maybe even the Govt, but even with my IT background, most of what they were looking for was Physics, Astronomy, and quite a bit of bit of astronomy related expierence. So I wasn't able to find anything either really.

Another option if you were willing to consider the big island, is there are quite a few observatorys over there, again was a little too much expierence for me though this might be up your alley it's at the Keck observatory on the big island http://www.keckobservatory.org/files/job134.pdf (broken link)

I figure i'll see what happens when if get there, or maybe just get my own telescope and take it up to Haleakala

[SurfinGirl]

Thanks Eric! I'm definitely gonna look into that, although I don't know if it will get me behind a telescope....but it may be as close as I will get. I like the idea about getting one of my own and checking the stars out on Haleakala myself, maybe I'll see you up there

[cwm]

Here is a site on telescopes and observatories and related Astronomy organizations on the Big Island including links to job openings. There are a lot of jobs requiring all different types of skills. Astronomy in Hawaii
There are definitely opportunties.
cwm

[rnc76]

Originally Posted by SurfinGirl

Hello! I am moving to Maui in June 08 (YES, can't wait!!!), I am obsessed with the observatories (and cosmology, astronomy, etc.) up on Haleakala. I would love nothing more than to work there but I have a degree in accounting and experience in Human Resources. Any ideas on what kind of jobs are available up there that don't require an astronomy degree? Thanks

A lot of the work done on Haleakala is military, Air Force specifically. UH has some facilities up there as well. The big island has more of the university run telescopes. FYI, the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope (ATST) is in the design/planning stage to be built on Haleakala. If it is built, and I really hope it is, it will be the most advanced solar telescope in the world. ATST is a collaboration of many universities and the National Science Foundation.

I have watched the sunrise from Haleakala. It is a magical experience.

[Goldwing]

gm

[Goldwing]

The kind of jobs there where my friend had a job was safety inspection
Haleakala is magical, warning the rangers up there are always in a pissy mood with people trying to camp without a permit.
Yes I love Astronomy and that was my Celestron 11" GPS up above post

[Goldwing]

More here
Precision-Photo : photos : Maui Hawaii 2003-2004- powered by SmugMug

[Jungjohann]

I've got a big ten inch myself, (don't you love Aerosmith!!), Meade Schmidt Cassegrain that is, (get your minds out of the gutter), view is fine right here in Kihei, even with the ambient light. If you use the proper filter everything is visible, or just drive out to the mudflats way up North Kihei. Have worked up at the Oscar Observatory in Science City, it's quite a drive, but if you are part of a telescope/astronomy club, and have plenty others going up, I would imagine it's well worth the effort. Driving up to Haleakala only gets you some 10,000 or so feet closer to the heavens, so, with Saturn at some 800 million miles from Earth, what difference is it going to make????? May break out my big 10 inch later this evening......................

Aloha and happy star gazing

[Goldwing]

Originally Posted by Jungjohann

I've got a big ten inch myself, (don't you love Aerosmith!!), Meade Schmidt Cassegrain that is, (get your minds out of the gutter), view is fine right here in Kihei, even with the ambient light. If you use the proper filter everything is visible, or just drive out to the mudflats way up North Kihei. Have worked up at the Oscar Observatory in Science City, it's quite a drive, but if you are part of a telescope/astronomy club, and have plenty others going up, I would imagine it's well worth the effort. Driving up to Haleakala only gets you some 10,000 or so feet closer to the heavens, so, with Saturn at some 800 million miles from Earth, what difference is it going to make????? May break out my big 10 inch later this evening......................

Aloha and happy star gazing

Hmm, more information then I want in my head right now