Mission, Vision, and Values

Integrity: We, as individuals and as an organization, make promises carefully and keep them unequivocally.

Safety: We hold as paramount the safety and health of observatory personnel and equipment and that of our natural environment.

Respect: We respect all human beings and treat them with dignity. We respect the unique natural and cultural environment that is Hawai’i.

Discovery: We honor and nurture discovery – scientific, technical, and personal. Discovery lies at the very heart of our mission.

Service: We proudly serve each other, our community and those who use Keck Observatory, assuring that our telescopes and instruments are fully operational for every night’s observing.

Communication: We listen effectively and speak thoughtfully and honestly. True communication begins with careful listening.

Teamwork: We honor and encourage teamwork both within the Observatory and the broad Keck Observatory community.

Education/Learning: We encourage broad-based life-long learning and professional development for every member of the Observatory staff.

Rewarding Work Environment: We strive that all who work here are enriched and inspired by what we have together accomplished. A challenged, educated, and appreciated staff will maximize the chances for breakthrough scientific discoveries.

Excellence: We carry out our mission with a commitment to excellence both in what we do and how we do it. We encourage and honor creativity, quality, and initiative by all who work here.

Community Involvement: We involve ourselves in positive, meaningful, and supportive interaction with our unique local community. We share the excitement of what we do and what we discover with all.