Very Long Baseline Interferometry on top of Mauna Kea : 'OHANA
G. Perrin, J. Woillez, O. Lai, P. Fedou

Abstract: The 'OHANA project aims at linking the large telescopes of Mauna Kea to realize a very long baseline interferometer. It is also paving the way to future kilometric or more optical arrays using single-mode fibers to transport light from the telescopes to the beam combiner. First fringes were obtained in 2005 using the two Keck telescopes: light was collected at the Nasmyth focus of each telescope and routed down to the delay lines and beam combiner with the 'OHANA fibers. Despite difficult weather conditions this first result is very promising for the potential of fibers for optical interferometers. The current step is to link CFHT and Gemini North. A dedicated delay line has been built and integration is on-going in the CFHT Coude room. Work has started on the mountain to lay out fibers between the two telescopes. First internal fringes are expected in the second half of 2007. Sky fringes should come the months after. The following steps towards completion of 'OHANA will be presented.