PL-SPP-2022-000025 G. Bower Testimony 01.04.23

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ACADEMIA SINICA Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics 4 January 2023 Dear Members of the Windward Planning Commission, I am writing in support of the Application for a Special Permit by ACADEMIA SINICA INSTITUTE OF ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS (PL-SPP-2022- 000025) for temporary operation of two radio astronomy arrays in the Ka`u District. I am Chief Scientist for Hawaii Operations for ASIAA,Affiliate Graduate Faculty at UH Manoa Physics and Astronomy, and Project Scientist for the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration. I have made frequent use of astronomical facilities on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa throughout my career. My work has included creation of the first images of black holes with the Mauna Kea facilities the Submillimeter Array (SMA) and James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT)in collaboration with a global network of radio telescopes. I participated in the process of sharing a Hawaiian name, Powehi, for the M87 black hole in 2019. I am a contributor to community science and education efforts, including through my role as a Board member for the Hawaii Science and Technology Museum. I have worked in Hawaii for 9 years and live here with my family. Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are among the most exciting areas of study in modern astrophysics. FRBs are millisecond-duration pulses of extremely intense radiation that occur in the distant Universe. Our new radio arrays are designed to understand the origins of these bursts and use them to study the structure and composition of the Universe. This is a relatively new field in astrophysics and we expect that there are many exciting opportunities for discovery in the coming decade. Our Kau site makes use of unique geographic features that will significantly enhance the scientific achievements. First,the natural shielding provided by the high mountains surrounding the site and the isolation from population centers protects us from the effects of human-generated radio signals, also known as radio frequency interference(RFI). RFI can obscure FRBs making them undetectable, in the same way that light pollution prevents us from seeing the visible light from stars. Second, the mid-Pacific location of our telescopes allows us to see parts of the sky when they are invisible to other observatories around the world. This will create the opportunity to make unique discoveries and to be the connector between FRB observatories from North America and Asia. These telescope arrays will provide an opportunity for community and student education in a scientific domain not currently well-represented in Hawaii. These telescopes also represent a diversification of astronomy activity in Hawaii and will support local employment. I appreciate your thoughtful consideration of this permit application.