Experience the “Spirit of the Wayfinder” from 9:30 a.m -4 p.m. Oct. 24 during ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center’s eighth annual Wayfinding and Navigation Festival. ADVERTISING Experience the “Spirit of the Wayfinder” from 9:30 a.m -4 p.m. Oct. 24 during ‘Imiloa Astronomy
Experience the “Spirit of the Wayfinder” from 9:30 a.m -4 p.m. Oct. 24 during ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center’s eighth annual Wayfinding and Navigation Festival.
This annual community festival explores the art and science of oceanic wayfinding, the traditional Polynesian system of navigating the open ocean without the use of modern instrumentation.
Sponsored by the Ama OluKai Foundation and themed “He Wa‘a He Moku,” honoring the spirit of the wa‘a and the aina, the event is free and open to the public.
The nonprofit Ama OluKai Foundation honors those who preserve and celebrate the cultural heritage and aloha spirit of Hawaii.
Special keynote presentations will focus on the aina (land) and the wa‘a (canoe) as interconnected symbols of cultural identity and pride.
Presenters will explore how the aina gives life and spirit to the wa‘a, and how the wa‘a in turn inspires us to care for ourselves, each other and our natural and cultural environments.
Under the simulated night sky of the ‘Imiloa planetarium, experienced navigators from the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage will unlock the secrets of the stars that guide them along their journey.
Activity stations set up throughout the ‘Imiloa Exhibit Hall will focus on critical aspects of open ocean sailing that all crew members are required to complete — packing gear, calibrating your body to become a measuring tool, tying knots, etc. — to challenge attendees to see if they have what it takes to be a deep-sea voyager.
Each participant who successfully completes all crew requirements will receive a prize for becoming an “‘Imiloa crew member.”
Rounding out the day will be climb-on-board tours of Hilo’s own interisland voyaging canoe, Kiakahi, on the ‘Imiloa lawn.
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a modification of policies and procedures to participate in this event can contact Roxanne Ching at rching@imiloahawaii.org or 969-9704, as soon as possible.
‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii is a world-class informal science education center on the University of Hawaii at Hilo campus.
The center’s interactive exhibits, 3-D full dome planetarium, native landscape and programs and events engage children, families and the local community in the wonders of science and technology found in Hawaii.
The center is open to the public 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
For more information about the festival or the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, visit www.imiloahawaii.org or call 969-9703.
