Transport to and from HP from the JAC

However, the situation is very tight and regrettably we can no longer be as flexible as we have been in the past in providing a vehicle for transport to HP at any time of the day. It may be the case that when you arrive, transport to HP will only be available at certain specified times.

Currently these times are:

JAC-HP	departing 0745 with the summit workers

            	departing 1500 in time for evening dinner

            	occasionally departing late evening with a telescope operator

It is vitally important that observers are aware of these schedules and the overall limitations in our degree of flexibility. They should plan their Hilo arrival and departure with them in mind. Please be sure to work closely with your support astronomer prior to arrival to ensure the transport schedules are not compromised and that you are not subject to an unexpected delay in getting to or from HP. The vehicle scheduler (Dayna) is willing to make suitable arrangements for observers whenever possible, but some degree of forward planning and foresight is required on the part of the observers.

May I take this opportunity to remind observers that the vehicles are intensively used for transport from Hilo to HP and the summit, both for observers and local staff. Prior approval must be sought from the vehicle scheduler to use a vehicle for any other 'work-related' matters (eg. to meet a colleague from the airport or to obtain a meal prior to travelling to the summit). However, such use must be restricted to the boundaries of Hilo town only.