‘Imiloa Astronomy Center 9th Annual Anniversary Celebration

The 9^th anniversary celebration of the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center will be held on Sunday, March 1 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

KTA Super Stores will sponsor the free community event, coined “Family Day,” featuring “Journey through the Universe.”

Members of the public can bring their families down to the ‘Imiloa, located right on the top portion of the University of Hawai’i at Hilo, for complimentary access to ‘Imiloa’s exhibit hall, free 20 minute planetarium shows, garden tours, and much more.

Food made by KTA will be available throughout the day, with options like hot dogs, chili, and rice. The first 1,000 visitors will also get to enjoy free birthday cake as part of the celebration.

Beginning at 10 a.m., presentations by “Journey through the Universe” astronomy professionals will begin, with topics including Black Holes-Monsters in the Universe, A Day in the life of an Astronomer, and Living in a Crowded Universe. The presentations will run hourly.

Children and adults alike can participate in one of the many hand-on activities happening, including a scavenger hunt, chalk walk, make your own bubble wand station, and a green sand photo booth.

“We have appreciated the support of the local community these nine year and want to say ‘Mahalo’ and invite the public to the Center. Our local community has embraced ‘Imiloa’s presence in a way that we could have never imagines and we are incredible grateful for your loyalty and belief in our mission. Opening our doors free to the community is our way of showing gratitude for that support, made possible by the generosity of the KTA Super Stores ‘ohana,” says Ka’iu Kimura, executive director of ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai’i. “We want to thank Barry Taniguchi and the entire KTA ‘ohana for making this day possible.”

Attendees at the event can also take advantage of ‘Imiloa’s “party favor,” a special membership discount of $10 off all levels of ‘Imiloa membership. Membership must be purchased on-site Sunday, March 1. Those interested are not limited to new members, renewing members are also welcome to renew their memberships, even if their renewal date is not near.

Before and after the event, ‘Imiloa’s Sky Garden Restaurant will be open beginning at 7 a.m. for breakfast, which will go until 4 p.m. and include a daylong breakfast menu of sandwiches, salads, and soups. A lunch buffet is also offered. Sky Garden Restaurant will open at 5 p.m. for dinner.