A Legacy of Seeking

For 20 years, ʻImiloa has immersed community in exploration, connection, and discovery

ʻImiloa opened its doors on February 20, 2006 with a visionary purpose: to explore the pilina (relationship or connection) between ʻike Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian knowledge), Polynesian wayfinding, and astronomical research through meaningful conversation in an intentional space.

Community leaders, including Larry Kimura and then UH Hilo Chancellor Rose Tseng, at Opening Day in 2006 Now, ʻImiloa is planning a “Golden Birthday”—a milestone that underscores the value of a space grounded in care for Hawaiʻi, respect for Indigenous knowledge systems, and a deep commitment to community.

“Reaching 20 years is a moment of reflection. While our core values have remained steady, the center has grown alongside the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo to meet the evolving needs of our community in ways we could not have imagined at the outset. It acknowledges that ʻImiloa was never meant to remain static,” said Kaʻiu Kimura, Executive Director of ʻImiloa.

Join the Celebration!!

Whether you are a routine visitor or have never stepped through ʻImiloa’s doors, you are invited to experience the center as a place of community connection.

Organizers say at the heart of the celebration is the practice of kilo — slowing down to observe and learn from the world around us. The event kicks off a year-long Golden Birthday celebration featuring monthly community events and programming.

Reflecting on Two Decades of Impact

“We serve keiki, students, families, educators, and visitors through high-quality educational programs rooted in the academic strengths of UH Hilo and grounded in Hawaiian language, local research, creativity, and environmental stewardship,” said Lisa Spain, Deputy Director.

At ʻImiloa, Indigenous knowledge and scientific discovery come together to inspire and connect communities. For over two decades, the center has trained the next generation of wayfinders under the late Navigator-in-Residence Pwo Kālepa Baybayan, fostered dialogue on Maunakea astronomy, and partnered Hawaiian language scholars with astronomers through A Hua He Inoa to name celestial discoveries like ʻOumuamua. From powering the $6.6 million National Native American Language Resource Center to offering digital media internships and hosting the ʻIkuwā Festival, ʻImiloa bridges global and local impact. In times of uncertainty, it has adapted as a rapid-response hub—supporting families during the 2009 “Furlough Fridays” and creating the Hālau Lamakū learning sanctuary during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Together, these moments reflect an institution shaped not only by vision, but by responsibility to community,” said Spain.

The Next 20 Years