The CFH observatory hosts a world-class, 3.6 meter optical/infrared telescope. The observatory is located atop the summit of Mauna Kea, a 4200 meter, dormant volcano located on the island of Hawaii. The CFH Telescope became operational in 1979. The mission of CFHT is to provide for its user community a versatile and state-of-the-art astronomical observing facility which is well matched to the scientific goals of that community and which fully exploits the potential of the Mauna Kea site.
CFHT's librarian, Liz Bryson, has recently initiated a project to record, via video camera and tapes, the oral history of the observatory. "The project is to interview significant people for their first-hand knowledge of historical developements and experiences at CFHT during the years 1977-1990." (Waimea Gazette, December 2003). The Oral History page will soon present the videos and the interviews as they become available.
The Observatory headquarters are located in Waimea (also known as Kamuela by the Post Office), where CFHT has been part of the community since 1977. Waimea is a small country town of 6,000 nested at 2,500 feet in the saddle between the Mauna Kea dormant volcano and the Kohala mountains. Named by the 2000 Robb Report as one of the 10 most desirable places to live in the United States, it has retained its 150-year old Paniolo (cowboy) culture but also offers many conveniences of modern life. Along with its green pastures grazed by cows, horses, sheep, and goats, Waimea hosts excellent schools, a modern hospital, the Kahilu Theater, shopping centers, over a dozen restaurants, and more!
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