ʻImiloa
Pilina First’s partners and associates have worked with ʻImiloa for over a decade…
…on various communications, public relations, and educational outreach efforts. Pilina First’s fluency in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi grounded in a fundamental understanding and working knowledge of the perspective and worldview has made for a unique, longstanding, and mutually beneficial partnership.
‘Imiloa is a community outreach, multi-service organization of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo dedicated to serving local and visitor communities through quality education programs strengthened by the core academic offerings of UH Hilo. Our programs and services include, but are not limited to PreK-12 grade programs, after school programs, day camps, Hawaiian language and culture based enrichment programs that focus on local science research, cultural advancement and environmental stewardship.
ʻImiloa brings together members of the Hawaiian and astronomy communities to share a common vision for the future, bringing information about the cultural and natural history of Maunakea to students, teachers, our local residents, and visitors from around the world. ‘Imiloa links to early Polynesian navigation history and knowledge of the night skies, and today’s renaissance of Hawaiian culture and wayfinding with parallel growth of astronomy and scientific developments on Hawaii Island.
‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii, a part of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, opened its doors on February 20, 2006.
The $28 million, 40,000-square-foot exhibition and planetarium complex is located on nine acres in the University of Hawaii's Science and Technology Park, above the UH-Hilo campus.
Originally called the Maunakea Astronomy Education Center, Imiloa was developed in the mid-1990s by a team of educators, scientists and community leaders who understood the need for a comprehensive educational facility that would showcase the connections between the rich traditions of Hawaiian culture and the groundbreaking astronomical research conducted at the summit of Maunakea.
