The restoration of land in Hilo continues

HONOLULU (KHON2) — After a winter-weather pause, the decommissioning of Caltech Submillimeter Observatory in Hilo will resume mid-April.

Caltech physics professor and CSO Director Sunil Golwala said the decommissioning is well underway and is expected to be finishing within the year.

The next steps of the decommissioning include:

• completing interior deconstruction
• removal of the observatory dome
• Removal of the foundation along with

• cesspool
• remaining solid contents
• all underground utilities

CSO said they are restoring the land in accordance with the permits guiding the decommissioning.

Cultural, construction, and archeological monitors are said to be present at all appropriate phases.

“Once the decommissioning is complete, the site will be monitored for three years,

primarily to document repopulation by flora and fauna,”

Caltech physics professor and CSO Director Sunil Golwala

The cost of deconstruction and site restoration is expected to exceed $4 million and is

being funded primarily by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

The removal of the telescope for reuse is being funded by the Heising-Simons Foundation.

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More information on the decommissioning can be found on the Caltech outreach website.