First there was Mauna Kea, the mammoth volcanic mountain that towers nearly 14,000 feet above the Big Island. Then came the early Hawaiians whose chants and legends gave soul to the mountain. Many years later, astronomers and scientists from throughout the world climbed to the summit and set about building the planet's largest collection of astronomical observatories.
Now comes the 'Imiloa Astronomy Center, an extraordinary facility where the volcano and its telescopes meet Hawaiian culture and language to, at last, articulate the intriguing link between the secrets of the stars and the ancient path of Hawaii's native culture.
The $28-million facility, located on the campus of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, houses a 42,000-square-foot exhibition and planetarium complex. The exhibit hall features more than 300 displays and is accessed through a storybook koa forest. The exhibits, many of them interactive, link the voyaging explorations of early Hawaiians to the astronomical discoveries of today's scientists.
The 120-seat, state-of-the-art planetarium theater is constructed with a full-dome digital system and reclining seats. Shows are featured daily in the theater, and a regular children's show is scheduled Saturdays at 10 a.m. The full-dome planetarium system uses six projectors plus 6-channel, 5.1 surround sound to create a spectacular, full-dome video experience.
The center is landscaped with nearly 50 varieties of indigenous Hawaiian plants. The 72,000-square-foot gardenscape is the largest collection of Hawaiian plants in the world. Tours are available.
The 'Imiloa Astronomy Center is easily recognized for its distinctive architecture. It is designed around three titanium-covered cones, representing the Big Island volcanoes of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa and Hualalai, and is composed of 75 percent recycled material. An airy caf?© provides a sweeping view of Hilo Bay. Built on a 9-acre parcel at 600 'Imiloa Place, the center is 1.5 miles west of downtown Hilo and is open to the public every day except Monday.
