ASSOCIATION OF HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUBS
A RESOLUTION
No. 2018 – 22
URGING THE HAWAIʻI STATE LEGISLATURE TO REQUEST THAT THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I RENAME THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I INSTITUTE FOR ASTRONOMY TO THE PAUL HENRY IKAIKA COLEMAN ASTRONOMY CENTER
WHEREAS, Paul Henry Ikaika Coleman was the first known Native Hawaiian with a doctorate in astrophysics; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Coleman’s doctorate research focused on the sizes of distant galaxies observed at radio wavelengths and the implications of these for cosmological models; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Coleman’s career took him around the world to several institutions, including the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute in The Netherlands, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Yale University, and the University of Puerto Rico; and
WHEREAS, in 2002, Dr. Coleman joined the University of Hawai‘i Institute for Astronomy; and
WHEREAS, in his sixteen years with the Institute for Astronomy, Dr. Coleman played a key role in the Institute’s education and public outreach efforts, speaking passionately about astronomy, its importance to Hawai‘i, its history in Native Hawaiian voyaging and wayfinding, and how Hawaiians could play a major role in the field; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Coleman also participated as a member of many committees and councils dedicated to increasing Native Hawaiian participation, education, and careers in the sciences; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Coleman was a tireless advocate for astronomy in Hawai‘i, advocating for the University of Hawai‘i and Institute for Astronomy to business groups, rotary clubs, and chambers of commerce across the State of Hawai‘i; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Coleman embraced a vision for Native Hawaiians to become engaged in the sciences, including astronomy, and connecting the future of astronomy with the rich history of Polynesian voyaging; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Coleman led the National Science Foundation funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program for nearly a decade, a competitive program that brings a dozen undergraduates from around the country to conduct research with Institute for Astronomy researchers during the summer; and
WHEREAS, most importantly, Dr. Coleman served as a mentor to a new generation of Native Hawaiian scientists and his dedication to the Native Hawaiian community, especially youth interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, was irreplaceable and unparalleled; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Coleman served on the State’s Hawaiian lexicon committee; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Coleman passed away on January 16, 2018, at the age of 62, leaving behind a legacy in the field of astronomy and the Native Hawaiian community in Hawai‘i and throughout the world.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs at its 59th Annual Convention in Kalapaki, Kauaʻi, in the malama of Welehu and the rising of ʻOlepau, this 17th day of November 2018, urging the Hawaiʻi State Legislature to request that the Board of Regents of the University of Hawai‘i rename the University of Hawai‘i Institute for Astronomy to the Paul Henry Ikaika Coleman Astronomy Center; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a certified copy of this resolution be transmitted to Pelekikena-ʻAhahui Siwila ʻo Ke Aloha ʻĀina, ka ʻohana ʻo Paul H.I. Coleman, UH Institute for Astronomy, Senator Kaialiʻi Kahele, and the Director-ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, as well as the Governor of the State of Hawai‘i, President of the State Senate, Speaker of the State House of Representatives, Chairs of the State Senate Committees on Higher Education and Hawaiian Affairs. Chairs of the State House Committees on Higher Education and Ocean Marine Resources & Hawaiian Affairs. Chair of the University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and all County Mayors.
The undersigned hereby certifies that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted in the malama of Welehu and the rising of ‘Olepau on the 17th day of November 2018, at the 59th Annual Convention of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs in Kalapaki, Kaua‘i.
Annelle C. Amaral, President
