Research that began with a University of �鶹��ý telescope is now leading to a historic milestone in space exploration. This July, China’s Tianwen-2 spacecraft is expected to begin its encounter with Kamoʻoalewa, a small near-Earth asteroid discovered by astronomers at the UH (IfA) on Haleakalā and the first Hawaiian-named object ever visited by a spacecraft.

The mission connects years of IfA-led research with an international effort to better understand the object, which scientists believe may be a fragment of the Moon. Kamoʻoalewa was first detected in 2016 by the IfA-operated atop Haleakalā.

“This is a remarkable moment for planetary science,” said Doug Simons, director of IfA. “A target first identified through observations from �鶹��ý is now being visited by a spacecraft, opening the door to discoveries that simply cannot be made from Earth alone. The mission has the potential to reveal how Kamoʻoalewa formed and whether it truly originated from the Moon.”

In 2021, a team led by UH researchers published findings suggesting Kamoʻoalewa may have come from the Moon. Tianwen-2 is expected to arrive at the asteroid in summer 2026. The spacecraft will study the object up close as part of a mission that aims to collect samples and return them to Earth.

Inspired by Kumulipo

In 2019, the asteroid received its Hawaiian name through A Hua He Inoa, a program based at the UH Hilo where Hawaiian speaking students and educators work with �鶹��ý-based astronomers to create names in ʻōlelo �鶹��ý (Hawaiian language) for objects discovered by �鶹��ý-based observatories. The initiative is a collaboration among ʻImiloa, UH �ᾱ����’s , IfA and community members.

In ʻōlelo �鶹��ý, Kamoʻoalewa alludes to a celestial object that is oscillating, like its path in the sky as viewed from the Earth. It is a name found in the Hawaiian chant Kumulipo.

“To see a spacecraft travel to an object carrying a Hawaiian name is a reminder that careful observation of the natural world and the pursuit of knowledge have always been central to ʻike �鶹��ý (Hawaiian knowledge),” said Kaʻiu Kimura, executive director of ʻImiloa Astronomy Center. “The students who proposed the name Kamoʻoalewa thoughtfully considered the possibility that this object was a moʻo—an offspring traveling in orbit within our solar system. It is remarkable to see emerging scientific theory lend support to the insight embodied in their naming. This moment highlights the enduring relevance of Hawaiian ways of knowing as we continue to explore and deepen our understanding of the universe.”

As Tianwen-2 approaches its destination, the mission also shines a light on �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s continued role in planetary exploration. �鶹��ý observatories help discover, track and study asteroids, comets and other objects moving through the solar system.

The University of �鶹��ý welcomed about 50 international diplomats to Maunakea and the UH Hilo for a firsthand look at the university’s leading role in world-class astronomy, scientific discoveries and cultural stewardship that have helped make �鶹��ý a global center for space research.

The visit, coordinated through the U.S. Department of Defense’s annual Defense Attaché Orientation Program, brought diplomats to Maunakea where they learned how UH researchers and international partners are helping drive some of the world’s most important astronomical discoveries, from distant exoplanets and mysterious brown dwarfs to black holes, advanced robotic optics technology and some of the farthest known objects in the universe.

“Maunakea has become a model for how nations can work together in the pursuit of knowledge,” said Doug Simons, director of the UH . “The discoveries made here belong to all humanity.”

Summit science, stewardship

Atop the summit of Maunakea, teams from the such as W. M. Keck Observatory, Canada-France-�鶹��ý Telescope, Subaru Telescope and UH’s NASA Infrared Telescope Facility guided diplomats through observatory facilities. �鶹��ý astronomy consistently ranks number one in the world in science impact and output.

At Halepōhaku, located within Maunakea’s mid-level elevation, the group was welcomed with oli (chant) and cultural protocol led by staff from the UH Hilo (CMS). The welcome offered diplomats an introduction to the cultural significance of the mauna (mountain) before continuing their visit.

Staff also shared the mountain’s environmental and cultural significance, restoration projects and ongoing stewardship work. Diplomats learned about UH’s continued efforts to responsibly decommission telescopes as part of its long-term stewardship commitments.

“Our responsibility is to care for this mauna thoughtfully and respectfully,” said Greg Chun, executive director of CMS. “Stewardship guides every part of the work happening on Maunakea, from protecting natural and cultural resources to supporting world-class science.”

Cultural connections

The visit also included a stop at ʻImiloa, where diplomats were welcomed with Hawaiian chant and lei. Staff and students led them through an engaging exploration of Polynesian wayfinding and navigation. Hands-on activities including traditional knot tying and an exploration of Hawaiian canoe, or waʻa.

For many in the group, it was their first encounter with the tradition of Polynesian navigation and the recognition of Hawaiians as among the world’s early astronomers, a story that clearly resonated as guests lingered over exhibits and engaged in lively conversation with staff.

“This is a place where �鶹��ý’s culture and international scientific perspectives come together in ways that deepen and strengthen one another,” said Kaʻiu Kimura, executive director of UH �ᾱ����’s ʻImiloa Center. “We wanted our guests to understand the profound cultural significance of Maunakea and the shared responsibility that comes with caring for a place of such importance.”

Energy and excitement filled the at the University of �鶹��ý at Hilo on September 28, when the community came together for the . The annual celebration invited attendees to explore how ʻike ʻImiloa (Hawaiian knowledge) and science come together to honor the connections between land, sea and sky.

ʻ����ܷ��� marks the change from summer to winter in the Hawaiian calendar, a season known for storms, abundance and renewal. This year’s theme came from the ʻō������� noʻeau (Hawaiian poetical saying): “Pala ka hala, momona ka ����ʻ�ܰ��ʻ�ܰ��… momona ka uhu.” (When the hala fruits are ripe, the sea urchins and parrotfish are fat and ready.)

The proverb celebrates the richness of the season and the value of kilo, closely observing the environment. That spirit guided the day’s activities, which encouraged guests to see their role in caring for the ecosystems that feed and sustain �鶹��ý.

Hands-on learning

Festival attendees joined hands-on workshops and cultural games, learned about traditional navigation from ʻohana waʻa (�鶹��ý’s voyaging canoe family), and explored a traveling exhibit from INPEACE about loko iʻa (fishponds). Conservation groups offered ways for the community to protect native species and restore natural habitats.

Performers and presenters at the event also shared ʻike (knowledge), ʻō������� (language) and moʻomeheu �鶹��ý (Hawaiian culture), celebrating the strength and beauty of Native Hawaiian traditions.

The ʻ����ܷ��� Festival 2025, made possible by the generous support of the Ama OluKai Foundation and Kamehameha Schools Kaiāulu.

Devin Chu’s life and career were literally written in the stars. Growing up in Hilo, he would often visit the library on weekends with his mother. While in the third grade, one of the books he discovered was Our Solar System, which got him fascinated with the neighboring planets and their differences from Earth.

The discovery was a life-changing moment for Chu and first set him on a course into the field of astronomy, then later on a return trajectory to his hometown to become astronomer-in-residence at the at the .

As a child, Chu participated in as many opportunities as he could find, including the popular Journey Through the Universe astronomy education and outreach program and Future Flight �鶹��ý. Chu often reached out to astronomers to gain their insight and advice on his high school research projects. Doug Simons, director of the (IfA), fondly recalls Chu and how he indirectly helped to inspire the creation of the Maunakea Scholars (MKS) program years later.

“Before Maunakea Scholars, high school student access to the observatories was ad-hoc, mainly based on knowing someone who worked at the observatories or just cold-calling astronomers for advice on their science projects,” said Simons, who was director of the Gemini Observatory when he first met Chu. “We flipped things around five or six years later with the launch of the MKS program that went to the schools looking for students like Devin who wanted to do research using the most powerful collection of telescopes in the world.”

Full circle back to �鶹��ý Island

After graduating from Hilo High School in 2010, Chu’s journey took him to Dartmouth College. In his second year, Chu was selected to participate in the Akamai Internship Program, which allowed him to return home for the summer to assist astronomers at the Gemini-North Observatory. The following summer, Chu received additional experience as an undergraduate research fellow at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He earned his bachelor of arts in physics and astronomy in 2014, then attended UCLA, where he earned his master of science and PhD in astronomy and astrophysics in 2016 and 2020, respectively.

As UH’s astronomer-in-residence at ʻImiloa, Chu is looking forward to immersing himself in the development of ʻImiloa’s curriculum, expansion of educational outreach programs, and further development of place-based partnerships with the community to get �鶹��ý Island students interested in astronomy or other STEM-related fields. Chu will also play a significant role in UH’s new Space Science and Engineering Initiative.

“We learned about the Polynesian voyages in elementary school, and I remember thinking that travelling on the open ocean and settling on islands was one of the greatest feats of human ingenuity,” said Chu. “When ʻImiloa opened in middle school, it was great to learn about the connections between the stars and the constellations that I knew from Western science and how they played a major role in Polynesian wayfinding.”

For more on Chu, . Noelo is UH’s research magazine from the .

This article by Native Hawaiian Engagement Director at the University of �鶹��ý at Hilo Pelehonuamea Harman was first published in .

This summer, University of �鶹��ý at Hilo served as a cultural and intellectual bridge between the New Directions in the Humanities international conference and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

These two global events—centered on Indigenous knowledge, language revitalization, and the role of youth in shaping culture—highlighted UH �ᾱ����’s leadership at the intersection of scholarship, ʻike kupuna, and community.

Held at UH Hilo and chaired by Dr. Patsy Y. Iwasaki, the New Directions in the Humanities conference marked the first time this prestigious gathering was hosted in �鶹��ý. Previous locations included Paris and Rome, with Lisbon, Portugal, set to host next.

The conference opened with a kīpaepae welcome ceremony, grounding guests in the spirit of the land and people of �鶹��ý.

Under the theme “Oceanic Journeys,” scholars, students, and cultural practitioners explored the humanities through a Pacific lens. Presentations spanned topics from language reclamation and Indigenous storytelling to cultural continuity and place-based education. A field trip to the luapele—the volcanic landscape sacred to Pele—provided an experiential learning opportunity rooted in Hawaiian ways of knowing and deepened participants’ understanding of the connection between land, language, and identity.

UH Hilo faculty, staff, and students played central roles sharing research, performing mele and oli, and engaging in cross-cultural dialogue. The conference affirmed UH �ᾱ����’s strength as an Indigenous-serving institution committed to community-centered and place-based education.

Weeks later, UH �ᾱ����’s voice resonated from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where university representatives participated in the 2025 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Under the theme “Youth and the Future of Culture,” the �鶹��ý delegation led the Language Reclamation Program. Representatives from UH Hilo leadership, , , Ke Kula ʻo ����ɲ���ī�ǰ첹�����Ծ�ʻō���ʻ��, and the National Native American Language Resource Center shared mele, oli, hula, and strategies for revitalizing ʻōlelo �鶹��ý.

A key facilitator for the folklife festival was UH Hilo alumnus Hālena Kapuni-Reynolds who serves as a curator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. His leadership helped ensure that Indigenous voices from �鶹��ý were highlighted with respect and authenticity on this national stage.

Visitors to the �鶹��ý tent participated in intergenerational dialogue and hands-on activities, learning how language restoration is deeply tied to land, education, and cultural identity. In a powerful gesture of continuity, several “Oceanic Journeys” attendees visited the �鶹��ý tent to thank the UH Hilo delegation for extending the spirit and ʻike of the conference to the nation’s capital.

Whether we are hosting a conference as kamaʻ�徱�Բ� at our own university or attending as malihini at a national gathering, our relationship to �鶹��ý remains central to who we are and how we engage. In every setting, we carry this ʻike (knowledge), aloha, and the values rooted in this ʻāina with us.

These gatherings affirmed a shared vision: that the humanities are most powerful when grounded in place, lived experience, and Indigenous knowledge systems. UH �ᾱ����’s presence at both events underscored its commitment to cultivating future cultural leaders—those who carry tradition forward while envisioning and shaping a resilient future.

The is honoring the 2025 Merrie Monarch Festival with a weeklong celebration rooted in culture, creativity and connection.

Starting April 22, will bring together students, faculty and community members for a series of events at UH Hilo that honor the legacy of hula.

Kahikuonālani is a poetic name for King Kalākaua, meaning “the seventh of the heavens,” honoring his chiefly lineage. As the “Merrie Monarch,” Kalākaua is celebrated for his dedication to revitalizing Hawaiian culture, hula and traditions during a time of great change.

“The University of �鶹��ý at �ᾱ����’s celebration of the Merrie Monarch Festival allows us to honor the deep scholarship embedded in hula, elevate the voices of practitioners and scholars alike, foster community collaboration, and reaffirm our kuleana (responsibility) to use our ʻike (knowledge) to serve �鶹��ý,” said Pelehonuamea Harman, director of Native Hawaiian Engagement at UH Hilo.

April 22

Kahikuonālani Mākeke featuring local retail and food vendors
10 a.m.–2 p.m., Campus Center Plaza

April 23 and 24

Cultural presentations and special pop-up exhibit featuring Merrie Monarch history
11 a.m. Mookini Library

April 25

Live music and grab-and-go lunch (while available)
Noon–1:30 p.m., Campus Center Dining Hall Lānai

A free UH Hilo shuttle will run on April 23 through April 26 connecting campus to craft fairs and the Merrie Monarch parade route in Hilo town. UH Hilo will also host an outreach booth at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

Lei making, live music

UH �ᾱ����’s , a major hub for the celebration, is offering hands-on experiences such as hula workshops, lei wili (twist-style lei making), and laUHala weaving.

“ʻImiloa exists at the intersection of tradition and innovation, and Merrie Monarch week is a powerful reminder of how our ancestral practices continue to evolve and inspire,” said Kaʻiu Kimura, executive director at ʻImiloa. “These programs are not just about observation—they’re about participation. We’re inviting our community to experience the depth of ʻike passed down through hula, storytelling and cultural practice in ways that resonate today.”

Full schedule of ʻImiloa events

Keepers of knowledge

A lineup of respected cultural practitioners will lead presentations throughout the week offering an immersive path into Hawaiian knowledge—whether through movement, material or moʻolelo (stories). Sessions will spotlight practitioners including Kekuhi Kealiʻikanakaʻoleohaililani, Taupōuri Tangarō, Kaʻea Lyons-Yglesias, Lehua Hauanio, Kaʻohu Seto, Kimo Keaulana, Pele and Kekoa Harman, Umi Kai, Keani Kaleimamahu, Cy Bridges, Leialoha Ilae-Kaleimamahu and Aulii Mitchell.

The invites the community on a thrilling prehistoric adventure with Expedition Dinosaur: Into the Deep. This cutting-edge traveling exhibit delves into the wonders of ancient oceans and its magnificent creatures at ʻ���������Dz�’s Exhibit Hall located on the campus from February 7 through May 4.

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

The immersive experience features lifelike animatronics, fossil replicas, and interactive displays that bring prehistoric giants like mosasaurus and tyrannosaurus rex to life.

Exhibit features:

• Immersive theater experience: Board the “Time Roamer” for a 360-degree, 17-minute voyage through Mesozoic oceans, encountering marine giants and narrowly escaping the asteroid that changed history.
• Interactive displays: Engage in hands-on activities such as piecing together ancient landmasses with the Pangea Puzzle or unearthing fossils at a simulated fossil dig.
• Lifelike animatronics: Meet iconic creatures like the ankylosaurus and cryptoclidus, brought to life with realistic motion and sound.

Special programs and events

• Dinos at Dusk: Explore the exhibit after dark with exclusive evening programs on select Thursdays. Some nights are tailored for guests 21 and over.
• Paleontology Lab: Keiki in grades K–5 can dive into fossils and prehistoric life every Wednesday in an interactive after-school program.
• Spring Break Fun: March 17–21, the Hālau Lamakū Spring Break Program offers keiki a week of creative, hands-on activities inspired by prehistoric times.

ʻ���������Dz�’s Expedition Dinosaur also features dinosaur-themed planetarium shows such as Dinosaurs of Antarctica 8K and T. Rex. Admission includes access to all planetarium programs.

Admission

For tickets and more information go to .

This summer, the University of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s (IfA) welcomed 10 high school teachers from across the state for an exciting week of professional development. The inaugural , held June 10–14, aimed to boost the skills and knowledge of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s high school STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) teachers.

“TeachAstro aims to connect state-of-the-art astronomy with the students of �鶹��ý, by sharing IfA’s knowledge and tools with �鶹��ý teachers, who can then take that back to their classrooms,” said UH astronomer Michael Liu, a faculty member at IfA and director of TeachAstro. “It was incredibly rewarding to experience the dedication and enthusiasm of our first cohort of teachers to realize this goal.”

Teachers apply IfA insights

Teachers dove into hands-on research projects, attended science talks by IfA astronomers, and participated in curriculum development sessions. They explored the latest astronomical data and software, learning how UH researchers study star clusters and exoplanets. IfA faculty Michael Nassir, Jennifer van Saders, Jonathan Williams, and Liu led the engaging sessions.

“My experience with TeachAstro was very valuable. I felt it connected me to a stronger community in astronomy, which is something that I cannot obtain from my school as I am the only teacher teaching this topic,” said Laura Daclison, a teacher at Kapolei High School.

The teachers worked on creating lesson plans to bring cutting-edge astronomy content into their classrooms.

“The TeachAstro program was inspiring and rejuvenating. I cannot wait to use all that I have learned in my classroom and better serve my students,” said Stephanie Pickett from Kealakehe High School.

IfA’s mission

Participants also learned about the crucial role that �鶹��ý telescopes and astronomers play in protecting Earth from potentially hazardous asteroids. They enjoyed stargazing with amateur telescopes at Kapiʻolani Park and took part in online observations using the on Maunakea.

“A key part of IfA’s mission is to bring the wonders and joy of astronomy to the community, through programs to engage learners at many levels. We’re thrilled that TeachAstro is off to such a strong start, and we’re hoping this helps build a network of astronomy educators across �鶹��ý as this program continues in future summers,” said Doug Simons, IfA director.

Supported by a grant from the Heising-Simons Foundation, the TeachAstro program will return next summer with an expanded group of teachers. Applications will open this winter.

ʻŌlelo �鶹��ý (Hawaiian language) students on �鶹��ý Island have named a new instrument at the Canada-France-�鶹��ý Telescope that will help astronomers study the universe in greater detail. The Hawaiian naming project is part of the program at at University of �鶹��ý at Hilo.

The instrument’s name, Wenaokeao, meaning “earliest glow of light,” was given after extensive research by high school haumāna (students) from Hawaiian medium education school Ke Kula ʻo Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu, who are interns in the A Hua He Inoa program at ʻImiloa. The name describes the soft glow of the rising sun seen during the fleeting moments when the full Moon lowers on the horizon, just before dawn breaks. Students chose the name after they visited CFHT on the summit of Maunakea, and were also advised by Larry Kimura, an associate professor of and at UH Hilo.

“Ua pili kēia mau manaʻo o Wenaokeao i kēia mea ʻo ka ʻōlelo �鶹��ý ʻoiai ma loko o nā māhele o kēia inoa holokoʻa ʻo Wenaokeao, ʻo ka wena ʻana ʻo ia ka pili ana i nā kala i ʻike ʻia ma ka wā e puka mai ana ka lā. A ʻo ke ao, ʻo ia ka lani holoʻokoʻa a me nā kala a pau, a no laila ua loaʻa mai kēia inoa. He pilina ko ia mau mea ʻelua ʻoiai ma ka mīkini loaʻa kekahi ʻāpana e kilo kikoʻī ai i nā kala o ka hōkū a no laila ua manaʻo ua paʻa loa kēia inoa o Wenaokeao ʻoiai like kona hana i ia pō e like me ka mīkini kilo ʻana i nā kala. No laila ua manaʻo he kūpono no ka waiho ʻana ma kēia manaʻo o ka inoa.”

“ (When we dissect the name ‘Wenaokeao’, we look at the Hawaiian words “ wena” and “ao.” “ Wena” references the colors seen in the morning sunrise. “Ao” is the entire world that we see and all of the colors in it. These combined meanings correlate with the instrument because the instrument helps to observe the colors of light emitting from stars),” said Tinai Liusa, a senior at Ke Kula ʻo Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu.

Planet, magnetic field detection

Previously known as “Vision,” the CFHT project combines existing instruments to expand scientific capabilities. The upgrade will allow astronomers to detect magnetic fields and planets around distant stars in a larger wavelength simultaneously.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for the students to practice cultural naming. It’s an honor for us to participate in the process and then to be gifted a name for this instrument,” said Mary Beth Laychak, director of communications and community engagement at CFHT.

Merging culture, science

The A Hua He Inoa program, led by ʻImiloa, creates a pathway where language and culture are at the core of modern scientific practices, melding Indigenous culture and science locally, nationally and worldwide. Previous naming projects include Pōwehi, the first black hole ever pictured, and ʻOumuamua, the first interstellar object discovered.

“Haʻaheo maoli au i kēia ʻauna A Hua He Inoa no kēia kapa inoa ʻana iā Wenaokeao, he ʻāwili maoli i ka ʻike �鶹��ý i kēia mea hana kilo hōkū. ʻO ko lākou paʻu nui ʻana ma kēia hana, he hoʻohui maoli ia o ka ʻike ʻōiwi o �鶹��ý me ka ʻepekema e ʻike ai kākou i ke koʻikoʻi o kēia ʻano ʻike kuʻuna ma ka hoʻokele ʻana i ko kākou kuanaʻike o ka ʻō�Բ��𲹴�.” “(I am really proud of our A Hua He Inoa cohort for their contribution to naming Wenaokeao. Their dedication in this process reflects a harmonious blend of place-based knowledge and scientific exploration, enriching our celestial understanding and underscoring the vital role of our Hawaiian language and perspective in guiding our view of the universe),” said Kuʻulei Bezilla, project planner at A Hua He Inoa.

A special moon-themed exhibit opened at ʻImiloa Astronomy Center engaging learners of all ages to embark on a fascinating journey into the realm of the mahina (Moon), connect with Hawaiian practices, and explore science, technology, engineering, and math or STEM. Kaulana Mahina: Look Up, Look Down, Look All Around! will welcome visitors through June 9 at ʻImiloa’s Exhibit Hall located on the campus.

Exhibit features:

• Learn the sequence and names of each of the 30 Hawaiian moon phases.
• Discover the tale of Lonomuku and her role in the Hawaiian moon calendar.
• Operate a 3D model illustrating the Moon’s orbit around the Earth and Sun.
• Marvel at NASA’s visualization of the changing Moon phases.
• Experiment with magnets to understand the gravitational pull between the Earth, Moon and Sun, influencing tides.
• Step into the shoes of a fisherman or farmer in an interactive game navigating through the moon phases.
• Participate in a discussion to share personal experiences on how kaulana mahina affects your life.

“We’re thrilled to be the first location on �鶹��ý Island to offer this exciting and newly developed exhibit,” said Kaʻiu Kimura, executive director of ʻImiloa. “With spring break right around the corner, and the internationally acclaimed Merrie Monarch Festival happening in Hilo next month, the timing of this exhibit at ʻImiloa is perfect for our island ʻohana and visitors to explore the science and cultural perspectives of our kaulana mahina, our Hawaiian moon phases.”

Created by the Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture (INPEACE), Kaulana Mahina: Look Up, Look Down, Look All Around!, is an interactive science and cultural exhibit that is designed in collaboration with UH ����ԴDz� lecturer Kalei Nuʻuhiwa and other kaulana mahina practitioners. The traveling exhibit showcases the mahina, its relationship to environmental practices such as fishing and planting, and scientific
observation through Hawaiian culture.

“Through this exhibit, we hope to encourage the integration of traditional cultural practices into our lives and to inspire the next generation,” said Alakaʻi Aglipay, project manager of INPEACE’s Kaulele Program. “We appreciate ʻImiloa‘s shared passion for learning and providing INPEACE the platform to inspire the communities on �鶹��ý Island to explore the intersection of Hawaiian expertise and science.”

Admission information

Admission to the Kaulana Mahina: Look Up, Look Down, Look All Around! exhibit is included in ʻImiloa‘s admission fee, with complimentary access granted to ʻImiloa members.

For ticket information go to .

Cutting-edge upgrades are sure to wow stargazers flocking to , a world-class center for science education located on the campus. NASA funded a $720,000 upgrade for ʻImiloa which is now equipped with a 10K-resolution planetarium system using 10 laser-illuminated projectors, superior graphic performance and new features that will greatly enhance user experience and the center’s unique science and wayfinding programs.

“We are excited to unveil this brand new state-of-the-art planetarium system that will be an immense benefit to our community and science partners across many different disciplines,” said ʻImiloa Executive Director Kaʻiu Kimura. “We invite everyone to come enjoy this enhanced immersive space and see our universe as never before.”

First in �鶹��ý

The 10K-resolution planetarium system will be one of the first of its kind in the country, and also a first in �鶹��ý. Combined with increased computing power and a new software platform, the upgrade is geared toward significantly boosting ʻImiloa’s planetarium performance and creating new scientific journeys for visitors.

“We want to mahalo NASA for supporting this upgrade and our vendor, SSIA Technologies,” Kimura said. “This new system will allow us to greatly expand the educational tools available, from data visualization to video streaming and beyond.”

ʻImiloa closed its doors for two weeks in November so the new system could be installed and to conduct facility maintenance. The science and cultural museum will return to its normal operating schedule on November 22 (9 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Wednesdays–Sundays).

ʻImiloa will be closed for Thanksgiving and reopen on November 24 for its Black Hole Friday event and special Pink Floyd planetarium program.

The will lead a three-university consortium that was awarded a $6.6 million, five-year grant from the (USDE) to establish a National Native American Language Resource Center (N-NALRC). The award is the first of its kind to lead, advocate for and implement training and resource development for Indigenous language education pathways in the U.S.

“This is not only an acknowledgment of the value of our Native languages but is also a testament to the hard work our community has put into renormalizing our ʻōlelo �鶹��ý (Hawaiian language) over the past 40 years, while also working to uplift other ʻōlelo ʻōiwi (Indigenous languages) nationally and internationally,” said Kaʻiu Kimura, director of the UH Hilo �鶹��ý ʻImiloa Institute and UH �ᾱ����’s . “Our national team is honored to receive this grant, and we are grateful for the support of Senator Brian Schatz, who authored and shepherded the passage of the NALRC Act.”

“Culturally based instruction is critical to promoting and revitalizing Native languages,” said Schatz, who is also the chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. “This funding will directly support educational institutions like the University of �鶹��ý at Hilo in developing resources and fostering collaboration to promote the use of Native American languages across the country.”

UH Hilo is considered a worldwide leader in advancing Hawaiian and Indigenous language and culture revitalization.

“I am thrilled to see the years of effort by our Hawaiian language faculty getting national recognition in this way,” said UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin. “The future work with our Indigenous partners through this center will enable us to further revitalize languages across the U.S.”

UH President David Lassner agreed, “This new grant recognizes the strength we have built within UH and provides an opportunity to share knowledge and solutions from �鶹��ý with native communities seeking to save their languages throughout the country.”

Along with UH Hilo, the consortium includes the and in Wisconsin, programs that have long-standing ties with the ʻImiloa Institute and have been working relentlessly to reclaim their languages.

“With the opportunities presented in our shared visions and unity, we grow stronger together and keep one another from feeling alone in our efforts to achieve language stability,” said University of Alaska Southeast Professor Lance X’unei Twitchell, who earned his PhD at Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani.

Migizi Michael Sullivan, Native American studies director at Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University, went on to say, “The center will be a place where Indigenous communities and groups can draw inspiration, information on best practices, and share strategies to renormalize the use of our languages, to benefit present and future generations of Indigenous people.”

About �鶹��ý ʻImiloa Institute

The institute was established in 2023 as a collaborative effort between UH �ᾱ����’s Hawaiian Language Consortium partners including ʻImiloa Center, Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language, , , , and the . Building on 40 years of experience in revitalizing and renormalizing the Hawaiian language and supporting Indigenous languages around the world, the institute will further support the P–12, undergraduate and graduate programs, and community engagement throughout �鶹��ý and other Indigenous communities and will serve as an incubator and accelerator to support native language normalization.

About the University of Alaska Southeast

Part of the University of Alaska system, the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) has campuses in Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka. The Alaska Native Languages and Studies program at UAS examines three primary components of modern and historical Alaska Native life: language, art and society. Taught by Alaska Native professors, Indigenous language study courses focus on revitalization through learning, documentation and community activities. Students within the Alaska Native Languages programs develop a strong foundation in language learning, use and advocacy. UAS has unique experience in teaching languages with especially intricate grammars and phonologies such as Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian.

About Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University

Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University is located in the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe reservation in Wisconsin and has extensive experience in working within a tribal college system and Bureau of Indian Education initiatives. The Lac Courte Oreilles reservation is also the site of the most developed Native American language immersion program outside of �鶹��ý, the Waadookodaading Ojibwe Language Institute.

, a world-class center for science education located on the campus, is joining the festivities with special enrichment workshops and presentations April 12–14, including hula and music, the art of pahu (drum) making, and lauhala and lei workshops.

“We’re delighted to host another year of Merrie Monarch programs at our center for the �鶹��ý community and for those who are visiting Hilo for this internationally acclaimed festival,” said ʻImiloa Executive Director Kaʻiu Kimura. “We have a diverse offering of programs this year in the mornings and afternoons that we’re sure will be of interest to all ages.”

All active UH Hilo students who have signed up for a free ʻImiloa student membership can receive a discounted rate for all of the programs. Students can stop by the center Thursday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. to sign up for a membership at the guest service desk.

A full list of Merrie Monarch Cultural Enrichment Program offerings is available on . A reduced special programming fee is available to members.

Purchased tickets for any Merrie Monarch enrichment program also includes same-day general admission access to ʻImiloa’s Exhibit Hall and Planetarium programs.

Seating is limited. Due to the popular demand for cultural programming, visitors are strongly encouraged to make online reservations prior to visiting ʻImiloa. Walk-ups will be accommodated based on a first-come, first-served basis.

In addition to Merrie Monarch Cultural Enrichment Programming, ʻImiloa is hosting “The Science of Kapa” traveling exhibit in the exhibit hall through June 4.

More than 50 representatives from the National Coalition of Native American Language Schools and Programs () convened at , the University of �鶹��ý at �ᾱ����’s Hawaiian language college, and the university’s —the world’s only Indigenous bilingual science center—in February.

The summit drew educators from 14 U.S. states and Guam (representing 25 languages) and federal officials from the to discuss the achievements and challenges of Native American language medium programs as defined in the Native American Languages Act of 1990.

The group was ceremonially welcomed through an exchange of Hawaiian language and Ojibwe speeches as well as traditional oli (chants) and mele (songs). They were given a tour of the college’s facilities and programs before panel discussions and workshops during the multi-day meeting. The previous day they toured the college’s preschool to grade 12 Hawaiian language medium demonstration laboratory school—Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu.

“It’s imperative that we come together with other champions of Native American languages to share and analyze the various strategies we’re implementing in our home communities,” said Kaʻiu Kimura, executive director of ʻImiloa. “It’s through this kind of collaborative effort across languages and disciplines that we’re able to achieve our common mission of uplifting and giving voice to our Native American languages in every realm of our daily lives.”

The NCNALSP’s mission is to advocate for the use of Native American languages as the medium of instruction in community-led schools and programs across the United States. They empower students, families, teachers and administrators by strengthening public policy.

NCNALSP President Leslie Harper said, “It’s really important for us to come together to discuss the unique conditions and characteristics of Native American language medium education. It’s not the same as English medium—we are charged with developing our programs from our peoples’ distinctive world views.”

The summit was held in partnership between the NCNALSP, Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani, ʻAha Pūnana Leo Hawaiian language medium preschools, Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu School and ʻImiloa Astronomy Center.

The choice of �鶹��ý as the site of the meeting also honored former U.S. Senators Daniel K. Inouye and Daniel Akaka. The two �鶹��ý senators played key roles in developing federal Native American language legislation that not only includes the Hawaiian language, but highlights the success of Hawaiian language revitalization.

In celebration of its 17th birthday, the welcomes the public to enjoy free admission 10 a.m.–3 p.m. on Sunday, February 26 and soak in activities focused on �鶹��ý’s coral reefs. The educational outreach center located on the campus will debut its latest exhibit, “He Honua Ola: A Vibrant Coral Reef,” a 20-foot-wide touch-reactive screen that displays a virtual ecosystem based on coral reefs off the Kona coast. The event is sponsored by KTA Super Stores.

“The precious coral reefs that support diverse ecosystems in our oceans highlight the importance of conservation efforts for these unique environments and for future generations to enjoy healthy oceans,” said Kaʻiu Kimura, executive director at ʻImiloa. “We are grateful for the generous support of KTA Super Stores, and we invite the public to celebrate our birthday with us.”

The exhibit was completed with scientific support from field scientists at UH �ᾱ����’s , which shared footage of its coral reef livestream off of Kona and also contributed expert insight on coral reef species and characteristics.

Part of the dynamic exhibit allows participants to watch their scanned artwork of local reef fish come to life on screen. ʻImiloa will also feature coral reef clay art; reef activities and crafts; live planetarium programs with coral reef experts from The MEGA Lab; outreach activities hosted by the �鶹��ý Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources, �鶹��ý Wildlife Fund, Mokupāpapa Discovery Center and local food vendors.

“Every year, ʻImiloa showcases the important part we all play in the future of our islands through technology and science,” said Toby B. Taniguchi, KTA Super Stores president and chief executive officer. “KTA Super Stores is proud to sponsor this year’s event for the community to celebrate and grow shared appreciation for our coral reefs.”

For more go to .

A planet-and-star pair located more than 400 light years away could become the next celestial objects bearing inoa (names) in ʻō������� �鶹��ý or the Hawaiian language. , a program out of at the University of �鶹��ý at Hilo that provides Hawaiian names to astronomical discoveries, recently mentored 10 high school interns from the Hawaiian language immersion charter school Ke Kula ʻo Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu to propose the names for the Neptune-mass gas giant planet and its star as part of the global 2022 NameExoWorlds competition. The proposed names Leimakua and Kawelo were chosen to honor ancestral knowledge and the familial bond between the planet and star.

“Nui ka haʻaheo! We are incredibly proud of these students who brought forth their own knowledge and wisdom to this process,” said Kaʻiu Kimura, executive director at ʻImiloa. “Their contributions will deepen our �鶹��ý relationships to astronomical discovery as the story of all of our connections to the universe unfolds.”

The proposed inoa (names) were identified by looking at the metaphorical relationship between planet (HAT-P-26 b) and star (HAT-P-26) as being one between a parent and its child. The exoplanet detected in 2010 with the help of the and on Maunakea, closely orbits its host star every 4.2 days.

“Every time I look up at the stars, I always get excited and I wonder what’s out there,” said Kaʻimi Galima-Elvena, a Hua He Inoa student intern. “And, to be able to connect that to my culture, is very important because, to me, this is not about one single person. This is about all of us as a community and how we live in �鶹��ý.”

In ʻō������� �鶹��ý, makua means parent or parental relationship. The haumāna (students) chose Leimakua for the planet since its close orbit reminded them of a lei around the star and because a lei can also symbolize the bond between them.

“There is a poetic saying in Hawaiian where lei or necklaces symbolize children and that the makua or parent never casts aside this lei because of this connection between parent and child,” said Galima-Elvena.

For the proposed name of the star, haumāna also looked to the epic tale, Ka Moʻolelo Hiwahiwa o Kawelo. In a portion of the story, a boy named Kawelo gathers water in his ʻumeke (calabash or gourd), which symbolizes the knowledge that is being perpetuated. The word welo also means to float in a stream, or flutter in the wind, and symbolically represents a continuation or lineal legacy.

“When you fill that ʻumeke of water, you are building up the life of your community,” said Kahaukepa ʻAipia-Peters, a A Hua He Inoa student intern. “So that if we bring up the name of the moʻolelo, which is Kawelo Leimakua, in this ʻumeke of knowledge, then we will continue on this knowledge and honor the knowledge of our ancestors.”

The International Astronomical Union, the recognized global authority for naming objects in space, will decide on winning submissions for this ExoWorld Naming competition they are hosting by spring 2023. If the names are accepted, they will join a list of six astronomical discoveries given ʻō������� �鶹��ý names by Hawaiian language speakers as part of ʻ���������Dz�’s integral program.

• Leleakūhonua, dwarf planet UH News, November 16, 2020
• Pōniuāʻena, the most massive quasar known in the early universe UH News, June 25, 2020
• Pōwehi, world’s first-imaged black hole UH News, April 10, 2019
• Kamoʻoalewa and Kaʻepaokaʻāwela, two asteroids UH News, January 8, 2019
• ʻOumuamua, interstellar object UH News, November 20, 2017

Haumāna were assisted by ʻImiloa staff, Kumu (teacher) Larry Kimura, an associate professor at UH Hilo Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language, representatives from Maunakea Observatories and Ke Kula ʻo Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu.

After two long years of social distancing, masks and quarantine mandates, a two-day festival designed to re-engage the �鶹��ý Island community in “interconnected awareness” with people and the natural environment will be held at , an educational outreach center located on the campus. The set for October 15–16 is an extension of the center’s annual Wayfinding Festival held during October, but with emphasis on activities that help repair and rebuild human connection. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m and is free and open to the public.

“This ʻIkuwā Festival is [meant to] weave the web of relationships from ma uka (the uplands) to ma kai (the ocean) that are represented on the canoe,” said Kaʻiu Kimura, executive director of ʻImiloa.

There will be canoe training demonstrations, activity booths, take-home arts and crafts, live entertainment, presentations and storytelling. The family friendly event will also feature a Kūekeolioli keiki oli (children chant) challenge, Makahiki games, local vendors and food.

“ʻIkuwā is the month when great storms arise, dark clouds form, the sea roars, thunder rolls, birds squawk, and the resounding energy of the honua (Earth) vibrates,” said Kekuhi Kealiikanakaole, former assistant professor and coordinator at �鶹��ý Community College’s and founder of Lonoa Honua. “Let’s explore the spectrum of sound; there is even a breath of silence in this resounding, reverberating month.”

Lonoa Honua and ʻOhana Waʻa are co-partners of the event. The ʻIkuwā Festival is made possible with the support of the Ama OluKai Foundation.

Free admission

The two-day event includes access to all festival activities, presentations and live performances in Moanahōkū Hall, ʻImiloa’s Planetarium, exhibit hall and outdoor gardens. Select crafts, retail and food vendors will require payment onsite.

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Scientists and educators from across the islands made an in-person return to the popular AstroDay event held at Prince Kūhiō Plaza in Hilo on May 14, a first in more than 2 years.

The annual event sponsored by the Maunakea Observatories and coordinated by the University of �鶹��ý (IfA) brought together more than 70 volunteers representing 20 organizations on �鶹��ý Island, Maui and Oʻahu to present science and technology activities and demonstrations to hundreds of keiki and adults.

“The volunteers and the public alike were talking about how great it was to be back,” said Carolyn Kaichi, IfA outreach and education specialist and coordinator of AstroDay. “In 2020, AstroDay activities were entirely virtual on YouTube, and in 2021, we had a hybrid version where we prepared kits of information and had the mall merchants giving them away. Being back in person to interact on location is so much more rewarding and fun!”

Event highlights included make-and-take planets, black hole demos, ultraviolet camera fun, solar viewing and many more astronomy related activities. Participants engaged in games and giveaways put on by the UH Hilo , observatories from Maunakea and Haleakalā, �鶹��ý Space Flight Laboratory, National Weather Service, Hawaiian Electric and the Pacific Tsunami Center.

Robots from the Hilo High Viking Robotics team and the Hawaii Science and Technology Museum were among some of the most popular attractions.

AstroDay also celebrates the Maunakea Coin Contest, a design competition open to all �鶹��ý Island students grades K–12. The purpose of the contest is to give students a chance to artistically portray astronomy in �鶹��ý. Winners from an array of categories are recognized in a ceremony, and the grand prize winner’s design is printed on a commemorative coin which is handed out at the event.

AstroDay is celebrated in the spring in Hilo around International Astronomy Day, a world-wide event that honors all facets of astronomy. In the fall, AstroDay is also celebrated in Kona.

The will host cultural enrichment programs in celebration of festivities honoring the 2022 Merrie Monarch Hula Festival in Hilo. The three-day event from April 20–22 will give participants the opportunity to learn how to make Niʻihau shell jewelry, fresh lei and listen to live music from multi-Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winning artist, Kainani Kahaunaele (lecturer, ) at the center’s grounds on the campus.

“We’re thrilled to be able to host another year of Merrie Monarch programs at our center for the �鶹��ý community, and for those who are visiting Hilo for this internationally acclaimed festival,” said Kaʻiu Kimura, executive director at ʻImiloa. “We’re especially thankful to our presenters this year for supporting our goal to safely offer educational and culturally enriching experiences for our guests.”

Admission is available with limited seating. Visitors are strongly encouraged to reserve their admission via online reservation prior to visiting ʻImiloa. Walk-ups will be accommodated based on first-come, first-serve availability.

In keeping with the current state, county and �鶹��ýHilo COVID-19 health and safety protocols, ʻImiloa will not require vaccination verification or negative test results. Visitors (ages 2 and above) must wear face masks while at the center.

Special general admission to dinosaur exhibit

In addition to the Merrie Monarch cultural programming, ʻImiloa will continue to host the traveling exhibit, Expedition Dinosaur: Rise of the Mammals, through April 22 from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. ʻ���������Dz�’s Sky Garden Restaurant remains closed until further notice. For health and safety purposes, eating inside the building is not permitted.

University of �鶹��ý at �ᾱ����’s features an award-winning landscape offering a glimpse of �鶹��ý’s pristine, native ecosystem as it once was. Its garden, a living exhibit of endemic, Indigenous and Polynesian-introduced plants, illustrates Native Hawaiians’ connection to the land and heavens, as patterns in the skies guided cultivation and harvest practices on earth.

Now, to memorialize longtime Hilo residents Koon Leong and Bertha Chock, beneficiaries of the K. L. Chock Trust have made a gift for the continued care of the native garden, which will now be named the Koon Leong and Bertha Luke Chock Garden.

“We sought a fitting way to express our gratitude for their contributions to their family and to the Hilo community,” said daughter Thelma Chock Nip on behalf of the family.

Hilo spirit; Hilo values

During their short lives, Koon Leong and Bertha Luke Chock embodied the spirit and values of ʻImiloa, instilling the importance of education and learning, caring for the land, exploration, giving back to the community and adapting to their evolving environment. They were examples of perseverance, self-sufficiency, foresight and leaving a lasting legacy for the benefit of future generations.

Koon Leong Chock was an active community and political party leader, a Waiākea baseball team manager, one of the founders of the Hilo Chinese School, and a builder of homes for immigrants and the underprivileged. He was the eldest in a family of nine, heading the dry goods department of American Factors, a leading kamaʻaina business firm. He also operated Fong Hing, the family grocery store at the foot of the Wailoa bridge. Through his foresight and entrepreneurial spirit, he guided the family in expanding its business and real estate ventures.

Koon Leong passed away in 1942 at the age of 44. Bertha persevered, operating the family store while providing for their young children. On April 1, 1946, a tsunami demolished the entire town of Waiākea. While the family members survived, gone was the family store along with five other businesses in their building, their living quarters upstairs and all their personal belongings. The store was rebuilt, but 14 years later, on May 23, the building was crushed again by another tsunami.

Preserving a family’s presence in Hilo

Taught that one’s upbringing influences the way they serve others, the children of Koon Leong Chock and Bertha Chock worked to preserve and develop the family’s Hilo presence. Their parents and teachers instilled in them the importance of paying forward, and naming ʻ���������Dz�’s garden in their parents’ memory perpetuates this legacy, preserving their cultural roots to teach, nurture and provide for generations to come.

The Chocks’ children, Yun How Ching, Janet Young, Thelma Nip, Theodore Chock and Kenneth Chock, all attended Waiākea Elementary and Waiākea Intermediate Schools. Three of the five are proud UH graduates. Thelma has maintained her ties to her alma mater as a Director of both the UH Alumni Association and the UH ����ԴDz� College of Education Alumni Association.

Serving the broader community

“This gift from the K. L. Chock Trust will help to support our educational mission and programs, keeping the garden area well maintained and interpreted for visitor interaction,” said Kaʻiu Kimura, executive director at ʻImiloa. “Their support for the center helps to amplify the importance of ʻImiloa and its service to our broader community.”

The family hopes the garden will be a welcoming space where the community will visit, gather, discover and learn about how the past impacts the future of our culture and our environment.

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