Pan-STARRS 1 Dedication
June 30 2006 • Haleakala Summit, Maui

A Dedication and Blessing ceremony for the Pan-STARRS 1 prototype telescope was held on the summit of Haleakala, Maui on Friday, June 30. Pan-STARRS, the Panoramic Survey Telescope & Rapid Response System is an innovative design for a wide-field imaging facility being developed at the University of Hawaii's Institute for Astronomy. The event was attended by 80 guests who were also treated to tours of the observatory and light refreshments.

Adrian Kamalaniikekai Kamali`i and Dane Uluwehiokalani Maxwell before ceremony Adrian addressing the distinguished guests Institute for Astronomy Associate Director of External Affairs Mike Maberry Panorama of invited guests inside a large tent, where the dedication program took place
Speakers included (left to right): Welcome Message by IfA Director Rolf Kudritzki, Greetings by Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa, Introduction by Pan-STARRS Principal Investigator Nick Kaiser, Words of Greeting by Principal Under-Secretary of Defense for Policy Christopher "Ryan" Henry, Air Force Research Laboratory Branch Chief Jim Riker, UH Vice-Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education Gary Ostrander. There was also a video message from the Honorable US Senator Daniel K. Inouye.
Panorama of guests and VIPs before the blessing and cutting of the maile strand Adrian and Dane before the Pan-STARRS dome Adrian blessing the grounds of Pan-STARRS Mayor Arakawa cutting the maile lei Distringuished guests standing before the entrance to the Pan-STARRS 1 facility
IfA Director Rolf Kudritzki climbing up stairs inside the Pan-STARRS dome Pan-STARRS Principal Investigator Nick Kaiser providing information about the telescope facility Nick standing near the Pan-STARRS telescope primary mirror Guests mingle outside Pan-STARRS dome, with Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa looming above the clouds in the distance