Groundbreaking dinosaur exhibit debuts in Hilo, diving into prehistoric oceans and its creatures

A new dinosaur exhibit explores a different aspect of an ancient era by taking people under the sea and into the fascinating world of creatures living in prehistoric oceans.

The ʻImiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo is hosting the debut of Expedition Dinosaur: Into the Deep, a groundbreaking traveling display developed by Stage 9 Exhibits that dives into the marine reptiles, dinosaurs and dynamic ecosystems that shaped the planet.

“This exhibit is much different from the dinosaurs we had in 2022, especially with the cool component of the story of the ocean when it comes to the dinosaurs,” program director Kuʻulei Bezilla said. “There was so much more than just the dinosaurs we’re used to learning about on land. There was other organisms at play at the same time and so many things that are generally unknown to a lot of people.”

Expedition Dinosaur: Into the Deep will open to the public on Friday and run until May 4.

Stage 9 creates and tours exhibits that offer memorable and interactive educational experiences for visitors. Its team installs, maintains and supports the exhibits at museums, science centers and events.

The Expedition Dinosaur exhibit includes lifelike animatronics, which bring creatures such as the Tyrannosaurus rex, Ankylosaurus and Cryptoclidus to life through realistic motion and sound displays.

The exhibit also includes fossil replicas and cutting-edge interactive displays to create an immersive experience.

There will be a fossil scanner to create digital images of fossils, an augmented reality sandbox that allows users to create topography models with sand, a simulated fossil dig and life-sized structures of marine and terrestrial creatures.

“This exhibit brings the mysteries of prehistoric life to the forefront, connective science, technology and imagination,” said Kaʻiu Kimura, executive director of ʻImiloa. “We are excited to inspire curiosity and provide a unique opportunity to explore the world through the lens of a paleontologist.”

A 360-degree theater experience is at the heart of the exhibit hall and will take visitors aboard the “Time Roamer,” which feels like a portal to space.

“The visuals in this time roamer are really interesting,” Bezilla said. “The video and imagery surround you and take you on a journey through time.”

The 17-minute voyage goes through the Mesozoic Era, which is characterized by Pangea and the massive Panthalassa Ocean breaking into new continents and ocean basins, respectively.

The video also shows large marine reptiles living in the Mosasaurus and the Plesiosaurus eras.

Throughout the duration of the exhibit, ʻImiloa will host special programming, including:

• ʻImiloa Members-Only Premiere Night
  • Opening night for current ʻImiloa members only from noon to 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
  • Tickets: $7 for adults, $5 keiki and free for keiki 4-years old and under.
• Hālau ʻŌkupu: Dinosaurs – Giants of the Past
  • ʻImiloa’s toddler program will give keiki 1 to 4-years old and under and their caregiver the chance to explore fascinating creatures through hands-on activities and imaginative play.
  • Sessions at 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Feb. 24, March 10 and April 28. Tickets are $20 for members and $30 for nonmembers.
• Dinos at Dusk
  • Visitors can explore the museum after dark with access to the exhibits, unique activities and crafts, and programs tailored to elevate the experience.
  • The select evenings are reserved for guests 21 and older and will be on Thursdays, March 6, March 27, April 3, April 17 and May 1.
• Paleontology Lab:
  • In an exciting after school program, keiki will learn how fossils form and uncover what they reveal about life millions of years ago through hands-on sessions.
  • Open to keiki from kindergarten to fifth grade on Wednesdays (excepts March 19 and 26). Tickets: $25 for members, $35 for non-members and $40 for walk-ups.
• Hālau Lamakū Spring Break Program
  • ʻImiloa’s spring break program engages keiki in Earth’s prehistoric era through creative art projects, games, and hands-on science activities.
  • The program is for grade level kindergarten to fifth grade, March 17 to 21. Tickets: $300 for members and $400 non-members.

In light of the animated and interactive exhibit, ʻImiloa will also be introducing birthday rentals, which will be available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for groups up to 40 people. They include two-hours of room rental and same-day access to the exhibit and planetarium.

Facility rentals will still be available for individuals or groups wanting exclusive access to the exhibit and are limited to Tuesday evenings after general admission hours.

“We have offered facility rentals to individuals, families and businesses that want to view the exhibit privately, but the birthdays are something new we wanted to do,” Bezilla said. “This is something really fun we can do for the people who love to visit us.”

Expedition Dinosaur: Into the Deep, which is presented with support from KTA Super Stores, PASHA Hawai‘i and Royal Hawaiian Movers, will be on display from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday through Sunday with adjusted hours on Fridays from noon to 7:30 p.m.

Member tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for keiki ages 5 to 12, non-member tickets are $26 for adults, $22 for seniors and $17 for keiki ages 5 to 12, kamaʻāina tickets are $21 for adults, $17 seniors and $14 for keiki ages 5 to 12. All keiki 4-years old and under are free.

General admission includes same-day access to the lineup of dinosaur-related planetarium programs, which include:

• Dinosaur: Story of Survival: A journey tailored to the youngest explorers showcasing the resilience and adaptation on dinosaurs over millions of years.
• Expedition Reef: Dive into vibrant underwater ecosystems of today and explore their connections to ancient marine environments.
• Dinosaurs of Antarctica 8K: Travel back to the frozen world of ancient Antarctica, where dinosaurs thrived in lush forests and changing climates.
• T. Rex: A thrilling exploration of one of history’s most iconic predators, featuring cutting-edge visuals and scientific discoveries.

Showtimes vary and guests are encouraged to check ʻImiloa’s website for the latest schedules, tickets and more information about upcoming programming.

And although ʻImiloa’s main attraction will be on the prehistoric era, visitors can still expect regular Merrie Monarch programming during the Festival from April 20 to 26.