‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii is an informal science education center located on the University of Hawaii at Hilo campus at 600 ‘Imiloa Place in Hilo.
Celebrate ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center’s 6th anniversary celebration at KTA Family Free Day on Sunday, March 4.
Thanks to the generous sponsorship of KTA Super Stores, this celebration is free to the community.
‘Imiloa’s KTA Family Free Day starts at 9 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. The first 500 keiki visitors will receive a special ‘Imiloa giveaway to take home.
The day’s offerings include free access to ‘Imiloa’s exhibit hall and Journey through the Universe presentations featuring a keynote speech by Jeff Goldstein at 1:30 p.m. titled, “How Big is Big?”
For the hungry visitors, KTA Super Stores will be grilling 1/3-pound beef franks with sweetbread buns for sale, and free birthday cake will be served to the first 1,000 visitors.
Special programs include 15-minute planetarium experiences starting at 9 a.m. as the audience will be treated to a night sky presentation and a “sampling” of ‘Imiloa planetarium shows.
Presentations by Journey through the Universe astronomy professionals will start at 9:30 a.m. Hands-on activities will be offered by various departments and colleges of the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
Informative booths by Mauna Kea observatories and the popular STARBASE Hawaii flight simulators will also be onsite for visitors.
“We have appreciated the support of the local community these past years and want to say ‘Mahalo’ and invite the public to the center. The local community has supported ‘Imiloa’s presence in a way that we never imagined and we are incredibly grateful for their loyalty and belief in our mission. Opening our doors free to the community is our way of showing gratitude for that support, made possible by the generosity of the KTA Super Stores ‘ohana,” said Ka’iu Kimura, executive director of ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii.
The Sky Garden Restaurant will open early for breakfast at 7 a.m. and remain open until 4 p.m. with its daylong breakfast menu, selection of sandwiches, salads, and soups, and weekend lunch buffet.
The Center will have outdoor benches and tables available for outdoor enjoyment and picnics. Sky Garden Restaurant will also stay open late for Sunday dinner starting at 5 p.m.
‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii is an informal science education center located on the University of Hawaii at Hilo campus at 600 ‘Imiloa Place in Hilo.