Nearly 80 Leeward Community College students, faculty and staff gathered for an evening of stargazing, learning and community connection at the campus observatory on September 19, 2025. The event was coordinated by the Math and Sciences Division in collaboration with , Leeward CC‘s new marketing and social club.
Guests enjoyed snacks, hot chocolate and an opportunity to explore the night sky. While clouds prevented clear views of Saturn, attendees still toured the college’s observatory and used smaller telescopes to locate stars and constellations.
Hands-on learning under the stars
“It was wonderful to teach outside the classroom and give students a hands-on experience with the telescopes,” said Astronomy Lecturer Heather Sartain.
Chancellor Carlos Pe?aloza added, “This stargazing event highlights one of the unique resources at Leeward CC—our observatory—and I am grateful to the faculty, staff and students whose hard work brought our community together under the stars.”
Honoring past leadership
Among the evening’s special guests was former Leeward CC Chancellor Mark Silliman (2000–05), whose leadership was instrumental in the establishment of both the Early College program at the University of Hawaiʻi and the McInerny Waipahu High School Observatory, as well as Leeward CC’s own observatory.
“This event was one of the most successful community events at the Leeward observatory that I have experienced since I first began working here,” Silliman said. “The student marketing leadership team was nothing short of brilliant and inspiring. I have such fond memories of the extraordinarily dedicated and student-centered faculty, the exceptional growth and successes of our students, and the many ways in which leaders like Chancellor Pe?aloza continue to fulfill the mission of serving our community.”
Looking ahead
This was Leeward CC‘s second stargazing event of 2025. Organizers hope to host one more before the end of the year.
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