U.S. Military Builds $100 Million Space Lab in Maui
The U.S. Air Force and Space Force are constructing a $100 million data center in Maui to support orbital surveillance and telescope operations.
The United States Air Force and United States Space Force are constructing the Secure Integration Support Laboratory (SISL), a nearly $100 million facility in Kīhei, Maui. The 56,000-square-foot laboratory and data center at the Maui Research and Technology Park will consolidate operations for the 15th Space Surveillance Squadron and remotely operate up to seven proposed telescopes on the Haleakalā summit.
Construction began in late 2024 and is expected to conclude in early 2027. The project has faced criticism from Native Hawaiian advocates, environmentalists, and local residents who allege the military used deceptive project segmentation to avoid a rigorous environmental impact statement. Hina Kneubuhl of Protect Haleakalā stated, "They segment these projects, and it’s so deceptive."
Community concerns focus on the facility's water and electricity requirements, as well as the storage of large quantities of diesel fuel in an area prone to wildfires. Additionally, there are concerns that expanding orbital war-fighting capabilities could make Maui a target for foreign adversaries, a risk noted by the United States Space Command regarding fixed infrastructure.
