Faculty, staff and students from the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ Institute for Astronomy helped power AstroDay 2026, the Maunakea Observatories¡¯s 24th annual free community science festival held May 2 at Prince K¨±hi¨ Plaza in Hilo. More than 30 organizations came together to offer hands-on astronomy, robotics and live science activities for Â鶹´«Ã½ Island families.
“AstroDay is one of my favorite days of the year because it belongs to everyone. This is our chance to bring world-class science into the heart of our community and inspire the next generation of scientists, explorers, and dreamers,” said Carolyn Kaichi, education and outreach specialist at IfA. “We do this especially for the keiki who may one day carry that legacy forward. Mahalo to every family on the island that came out to join us.”
Attendees packed the mid-mall stage for live science shows and award presentations, then made their way booth to booth collecting AstroDay coins for a shot at prizes like telescopes and skateboards.
A major draw was the return of the “Robot Rumble,” presented by the Â鶹´«Ã½ Science and Technology Museum, where 15 teams from across Â鶹´«Ã½ Island faced off in head-to-head matches. Local high schools also showcased their own robotics projects, highlighting the island¡¯s growing pipeline of STEM talent.
The event also marked the announcement of the 2026 Maunakea Coin Contest winners. The statewide graphic design competition invites Â鶹´«Ã½ Island students in grades K–12 to compete for prizes and the chance to have their artwork featured on official AstroDay collector coins.
