HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 536 Draft 01 1976-19804� f
RESOLUTION N,O_. 536
WHEREAS, the developing of an astronomical science base
atop Mauna Kea in 1963 began as a dream of Mitsuo Akiyama, then
Executive Secretary of the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce,
who personally sought relentlessly for scientists who would
help fulfill his dream and thus expand the economic base of the
Big Island; and
WHEREAS, in response to Mr. Akiyama's call, Dr. Gerard
Kuiper, Director of the Lunar and Space Planetary Laboratory of
the University of Arizona, the key advisor to the then burgeoning
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, arrived in Hilo
in 1964 with a 12 1/2 -inch astronomical telescope which instrument
became the forerunner of the six existing telescope,atop Mauna
Kea; and
WHEREAS, prior to his death six years ago, Dr. Kuiper
reverberated his discovery to the scientific world that the
Big Island, with its lofty 14,000 -foot island mountain, should
be developed as the astronomical science base of the world,
however, he never lived to see the seed that he planted grow; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Akiyama's dream may not have come true
without the support of our late Governor John A. Burns who not
only made available $40,000 to build the road to Puu Poliahu,
second highest peak where the planetary domes sit, but who
was also instrumental in pushing for the expansion of the
Institute of Astronomy at the University of Hawaii.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY
OF HAWAII that it congratulate Mr. Mitsuo Akiyama for his
untiring effort in making his dream come true, thus bringing
recognition to the Big Island of Hawaii and the scientific
community of the world.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the late Dr. Gerard Kuiper and
the late Governor John A. Burns be recognized posthumously
for their contribution in fulfilling Mr. Mitsuo Akiyama's dream.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the County of
Hawaii remit true conies of this resolution to Mitsuo Akiyama;
to the families of the late Dr. Gerard.Kuiper and the late
Governor John A. Burns; to the Honorable George R. Ariyoshi,
Governor of the State of Hawaii; Director John T. Jefferies
UH Institute of Astronomy; Dr. Terence Lee, United Kingdom
Infrared Telescope; Mr. Claude Berthoud, Canada -France -Hawaii;
and to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Dated at Hilo, Hawaii, this 23rd day of January, 1980.
INTRODUCED BY:
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COUNCIL MEMBE , COUNTY OF HAWAII