FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 20, 2016 Media contact: Andrea Lum Bennet Group Strategic Communications andrea@bennetgroup.com (808) 286-9569 Maunakea Observatories launch new charitable fund at the Hawai‘i Community Foundation The Maunakea Fund will support scientific, cultural and environmental programs WAIMEA, HAWAI‘I – A consortium of Maunakea Observatories today announced the launch of the Maunakea Fund at Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF). The new fund will support scientific, cultural and environmental programs that represent vital interest areas for the shared future of Maunakea. In its inaugural year, the fund will participate in HCF’s STEM Learning Partnership, a grants program involving nine funders to increase STEM education on Hawai‘i Island. The STEM Learning Partnership recently announced its 23 grant recipients for this year, including the Akamai Workforce Initiative Internship Program, Honoka‘a Schools Complex and the Hawai‘i Space Grant Consortium, among others. In the years to come, the fund will expand and diversify its beneficiaries to support not only science and education but also cultural vitality and environmental stewardship to reflect the multitude of facets that make Maunakea so precious to the people of Hawai‘i. “Science, culture and environment converge on Maunakea. For Maunakea astronomy to continue to thrive, it is essential that vibrant culture is supported and that environmental initiatives are reinforced,” said Mary Beth Laychak, Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope’s outreach program manager. “We believe it is our responsibility to help them all prosper together, for the benefit of our whole community.” In addition to providing charitable contributions, the fund will offer an opportunity for involvement from key stakeholders across the community at-large to encourage engagement and commitment in creating a sustainable legacy for Maunakea. To learn more about the Maunakea Fund at HCF, visit http://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maunakea-fund.
About the Maunakea Observatories The Maunakea Observatories are a collaboration of independent institutions with telescopes located on Maunakea on the island of Hawai‘i. Together, the Observatories make Maunakea the most scientifically productive site for astronomy world-wide. The Maunakea Observatories include: Caltech Submillimeter Observatory, Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, Gemini International Observatory, James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (EAO), NASA Infrared Telescope Facility, Subaru Telescope, Submillimeter Array, UKIRT Observatory, University of Hawai'i Hilo Educational Telescope, University of Hawai‘i 2.2 Meter Telescope, Very Long Baseline Array and W. M. Keck Observatory (Keck I and Keck II). About Hawai‘i Community Foundation With 100 years of community service, the Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF) is the leading philanthropic institution in the state. HCF is a steward of more than 700 funds, including more than 200 scholarship funds, created by donors who desire to transform lives and improve communities. In 2014, HCF distributed more than $45 million in grants and contracts statewide, including $4.5 million in scholarships. HCF also serves as a resource on community issues and trends in the nonprofit sector. For more information, visit www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org. ###