‘Imiloa, a cultural highlight of national astronomy conference

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo ʻImiloa Astronomy Center

LINK TO VIDEO AND SOUND: https://bit.ly/35vFZXY

‘Imiloa Astronomy Center a cultural highlight of American Astronomical Society Conference

WHAT: 235th American Astronomical Society Conference  (approx 3,000 astronomers in attendance)

WHO: The ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, one of the featured exhibits, educated attendees on parallels between Hawaiian culture and western science 

WHEN: Through Wednesday, January 8  

WHERE: Hawai‘i Convention Center 

OTHER FACTS:

• ‘Imiloa exhibit (and center) explores science and culture as different facets of the same reality. Maunakea offers the perfect starting point for looking at knowledge in a more holistic, more Hawaiian way

• Astronomers learn about the art of celestial navigation

• Attendees tour a portable planetarium featuring Hawaiian constellations

• ʻImiloa is in the process of developing educational programs to expand its presence on Maunakea, particularly at the mid-level facility, to better educate tourists, employees and local residents of the mountainʻs cultural, natural and scientific significance.  

• In 2018, ʻImiloa was applauded for launching, ʻA Hua He Inoa’ a project which demonstrates how Hawaiian language or ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi is merging with scientific knowledge. It gives Hawaiian speaking students an opportunity to name astronomical discoveries made on Maunakea.    

VIDEO:

BROLL: (1 minute 55 seconds)

0:00-0:35, 6 clips: ʻImiloa exhibit 

0:35-0:41: Constellation exhibit

0:41-1:20, 7 clips: Kālepa Baybayan teaching astronomers motions

1:20-1:25: Hawaiian navigation circle 

1:25-1:37, 2 clips: other exhibits

1:25-1:43: ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center external (Hilo)

1:43-1:55, 2 clips: inside of ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center

SOUND: 

Lisa Spain/Deputy Director, ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center (16 seconds)

“It isn’t just western science but it’s this whole richness that comes particularly with Hawaiian culture bringing the two together and demonstrating that they can be together and work together and bring a richer understanding.”