New exhibit at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center invites visitors to share their mana‘o about Maunakea

The “reflecting wall” exhibit at ʻImiloa Astronomy Center invites visitors to write and post their thoughts and opinions about Maunakea.

Exhibit with area for people to post notes. Title at top: "Hoomanao Mauankea, Reflecting on Maunakea." At bottom, Hawaiian and translation: "We honor your perspective and humbly offer this space for you to share and gain the perspectives of all."
A new exhibit, Maunakea Reflections, gives space for visitors at ʻImiloa Astronomy Center to post their thoughts and perspectives about Maunakea, and to read the opinions of others. (Photo: ʻImiloa/UH Hilo)

By Staff/UH Hilo Stories.

A new “reflecting wall” exhibit at ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, entitled Maunakea Reflections, invites visitors to write and post their thoughts and opinions about Maunakea.

“The exhibit invites our visitors to leave their manaʻo as part of ʻImiloa’s story, reflecting the varying perspectives and connections that people have to Maunakea,” says Kaʻiu Kimura, ʻImiloa’s director. “It also provides an opportunity for visitors to reflect on the array of connections and thoughts exhibited by other community members.”

The exhibit is located in ʻImiloa’s atrium area for all visitors to experience.

“It is meant to be reflective and thought provoking,” says Kimura.

'Imiloa Astronomy Center with its three cones shaped buildings, signage in lava wall, surrounded by gardens.
ʻImiloa Astronomy Center (File photo)

ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, an outreach center of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, has interactive exhibits, a full dome planetarium, beautiful native gardens, and programs and events to engage children, families, visitors and the local community in the culture, science, and technology found in Hawaiʻi.

According the center’s website, ʻImiloa brings together members of the Hawaiian and astronomy communities to share a common vision for the future, bringing information about the cultural and natural history of Maunakea to local residents and visitors from around the world. ʻImiloa links to early Polynesian navigation history and knowledge of the night skies, and today’s renaissance of Hawaiian culture and wayfinding with parallel growth of astronomy and scientific developments on Hawaiʻi Island.

ʻImiloa is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays). The center is located at 600 ʻImiloa Place in Hilo, off Komohana and Nowelo Streets, at the UH Hilo University Park of Science and Technology.

Share this story