In celebration of its 17th birthday, and thanks to the generous support of KTA Super Stores, ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo will offer free admission from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26, coupled with a fun-filled day of activities focused on Hawaii’s coral reefs.
“The precious coral reefs that support diverse ecosystems in our oceans highlights the importance of conservation efforts for these unique environments and for future generations to enjoy healthy oceans,” said ‘Imiloa Executive Director Ka‘iu Kimura in a press release. “We are grateful for the generous support of KTA Super Stores, and we invite the public to celebrate our birthday with us as we debut our latest exhibit enhancement — ‘He Honua Ola: A Vibrant Coral Reef.’”
“He Honua Ola” includes a 20-foot-wide touch-reactive screen that displays a virtual ecosystem based on an actual coral reef off the Kona coast.
Participants can see their own scanned artwork of local reef fish come to life on the screen and become part of this dynamic exhibit, co-developed by ‘Imiloa and software manufacturer, Kids Jump Tech.
The exhibit was completed with the scientific support from field scientists at University of Hawaii at Hilo’s The MEGA Lab, who shared footage of their coral reef livestream and gave expert insight on coral reef species and characteristics.
“Every year, ‘Imiloa showcases the important part we all play in the future of our islands through technology and science,” said KTA Super Stores President and Chief Executive Officer Toby Taniguchi.
“From the mountains to the seas, with community partnerships, we can make this a better place for all. KTA Super Stores is proud to sponsor this year’s event for the community to celebrate and grow shared appreciation for our coral reefs.”
Featured Activities at ‘Imiloa’s 17th Birthday Celebration include the premier of the “He Honua Ola,” coral reef clay art, signature ‘Imiloa reef activities and crafts, live planetarium programs with coral reef experts from the The MEGA Lab, and outreach activity booths hosted by the Division of Aquatic Resources, Hawaii Wildlife Fund, Mokupapapa Discovery Center, and local food vendors.
Visit imiloahawaii.org for more information.