‘Imiloa Astronomy Center to reopen in stages

‘Imiloa will host a three-week, registration-only summer enrichment program for keiki called “Halau Lamaku” from July 13-31.

Two kids looking at insects in glass tank.
Keiki at ‘Imiloa summer camp, 2019.

‘Imiloa Astronomy Center is planning to reopen in stages with the first public event scheduled for July.

“The center closed on March 18 in coordination with local government and University of Hawai‘i measures to ensure health and safety and to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus,” says Ka‘iu Kimura, executive director of the center, in a statement issued at the beginning of May. All programming was canceled, including school field trips and the annual spring Camp ‘Imi-Possible.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports today that the center will be reopening in a few weeks, in stages.

Stephanie Salmons reports:

While the state is permitting museums to reopen this month, Executive Director Ka‘iu Kimura said, “With ‘Imiloa, we are going to extend our closure through the end of June in order to install all the proper safety equipment and train staff in new health and safety protocols so we are prepared to safely open.”

As its first in-person event since March, ‘Imiloa will host a three-week, registration-only summer enrichment program for keiki called “Halau Lamaku” from July 13-31.

“We are following all federal, state, county (and) University of Hawaii guidelines as it relates to COVID-19 safety and health protocols,” said Kimura, adding that ‘Imiloa also will follow the trends of other science centers and museums in terms of best practices and other health and safety standards.

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‘Imiloa is part of the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo.

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