The name ʻImiloa means “exploration driven by a sense of wonder and imagination.” The center in Hilo covers two subjects at once: how Polynesian navigators crossed the open Pacific by reading the stars, and how the telescopes on Maunakea study that same sky today. A 12,000-square-foot exhibit hall and a full-dome planetarium sit under one roof. Every planetarium show is included with admission.
The hands-on exhibits keep kids busy, and the science underneath gives adults plenty to dig into. It sits on the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo campus, and a full visit runs three to four hours between the exhibit hall and a planetarium show. Plan a half-day rather than a quick stop.
The ʻImiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaiʻi in Hilo. Photo credits: Brewbooks on Flickr
What you’ll see at ʻImiloa
Inside, the exhibits are hands-on. Interactive displays trace Polynesian wayfinding and the modern science on Maunakea, and a native Hawaiian garden surrounds the grounds outside. It holds up well for young children, too. We bring our three-year-old here often, and the hands-on exhibits keep a little one busy.
The full-dome planetarium runs several shows through the day, from a Hawaiian wayfinding program to narrated science films. Titles and times rotate, so check the current planetarium schedule if there’s a specific show you want to catch.
This short virtual tour walks through the exhibits and planetarium:
If the night sky is what brings you to the island, our Big Island stargazing guide covers where to see the stars after you leave the dome, and ʻImiloa fits easily into most Hilo itineraries.
Hours and admission
ʻImiloa is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00am to 4:30pm, and closed Mondays. Lehua Restaurant at ʻImiloa serves lunch and dinner on site, and the food is good if you want to build a meal into the visit.
General admission is $19 for adults and $12 for children ages 5 to 12. Children 4 and under are free, and seniors 65 and up pay $17. Hawaiʻi residents get lower kamaʻāina rates. Admission covers the exhibit hall and every planetarium show that day.
Events and special programs
Beyond daily admission, ʻImiloa runs a rotating calendar of talks and special planetarium shows tied to Hawaiian culture and astronomy. Dates shift month to month. Check the ʻImiloa event calendar to see what’s on while you’re on the island.
Directions to the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center
ʻImiloa sits on the upper part of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo campus, in its Science and Technology Park, off Komohana Street and Nowelo Street. It’s just minutes from downtown Hilo. There’s a free parking lot right in front of the entrance, and we’ve never seen it full. The address is 600 ʻImiloa Place, Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720, and the main number is 808-932-8901.
For current show times and event details, see the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center website.
Related: our guides to Big Island museums and things to do in Hilo.