Introduction

Front 1

The concept and design phases began in 1999

Back 1

construction of 'Imiloa started in 2002

Front 2

Taisei Construction Corporation completed the building and landscaping in November 2005

Back 2

The architectural design, directed by architect Mel Choy features three titanium-covered cones, representing the volcanoes of Maunakea, Maunaloa and Hualalai

Front 3

The cones provide a distinctive and highly visible landmark, easily seen by visitors arriving by air and driving into Hilo from almost any direction. (I can see it from Hilo Bay)

Back 3

The award winning landscape was designed by Randall Monaghan of Honolulu working with Ka Haka 'Ula o Ke'elikolani, the UH-Hilo Hawaiian Language College

Front 4

The list of Past Directors who contributed to the early development and building of 'Imiloa include George Jacobson, Walt Steiger, and Marlene Hapai.

Back 4

Prior to that, a number of individuals from UH-Hilo contributed their time and energies.

Front 5

The Center opened in 2006 under former Executive Director Peter Giles.

Back 5

Today we are privileged to be lead by Ka'iu Kimura who continues to build upon the strength of the organization, carving out new directions and opportunities for 'Imiloa

Front 6

'Imiloa brings together members of the Hawaiian and astronomy communities to share a common vision for the future,

Back 6

bringing information about the cultural and natural history of Maunakea to students, teachers, our local residents, and visitors from around the world.

Front 7

'Imiloa links to early Polynesian navigation history and knowledge of the night skies,

Back 7

and today's renaissance of Hawaiian culture and wayfinding with parallel growth of astronomy and scientific developments of Hawaii Island.

Front 8

Since opening, the center has served thousands of Hawaii Island school children

Back 8

as well as children from throughout the State of Hawai'i in a number of educational programs including field trips, family workshops, afterschool programs, Furlough Friday activities, robotic tournaments, and even overnight sleepover events

Front 9

'Imiloa Astronomy Center's design celebrates the Hawaiian culture's connection to the sea and sky

Back 9

The conical shapes of the roofs symbolize the three largest mountains on the island

Front 10

The smallest cone,representing the long mountain of Maunaloa, houses the beautiful glass-walled Sky Garden Restaurant. From here you can get an expansive coastline of Hilo below

Back 10

The central cone, where the main entrance is located,represents Hualalai. This houses the lobby, where the ticket desk and Museum Store can be found, as well as the entrance to the Exhibit Hall and the Earl and Dorris Bakken Moanahoku hall.

Front 11

The Moanahoku hall houses special event and the Science on a Sphere

Back 11

SOS is an animated globe that can show dynamic, animated images of the atmosphere,oceans, and land of a planet.

Front 12

NOAA primarily uses SOS as an education and outreach tool to describe the environmental processes of Earth. (earthquake database)

Back 12

And NOAA is actually here today
in the Moanahoku hall.

Front 13

There are about 48 Science on spheres world wide and we were the 12th installation, but the first to have one that is movable with winch.

Back 13

the largest cone, housing the planetarium,represents the tallest mountain on the island, Maunakea.

Front 14

The planetarium hold 176 reclined seats for visitors to enjoy shows that are projected on the curve planetarium dome above them.

Back 14

The cones are roofed with titanium for both practical and aesthetic reasons.

Front 15

The practical reason is that titanium metal is anticipated to be able to withstand the acidic rains caused by volcanic activity on the island.

Back 15

titanium has never been used as a roofing material on the Big Island before because it is very expensive, so it remains to be seen how titanium withstands the weather conditions here

Front 16

The aesthetic reason is that the space-age metal will bring to mind the cosmos-exploring activities of Astronomers.

Back 16

The flat area between the cones holds the 12,000 square foot exhibit hall.

Front 17

So as you can see the details in the building's design carry the theme of Imiloa's mission and joins Hawaiian culture and Astronomy in visually stunning ways.

Back 17

Wave like designs in the exterior cement walls, and contouring the titanium cones, call to mind Polynesian ocean voyages, while the metal armature above the main entrance evoke the presence of Astronomical Observatories.

Front 18

Inside the lobby, a large skylight (the shape again recalling a large observatory) hover directly over the floor. The circumference of the skylight is the same as this tile mosaic.

Back 18

It is called "Voyage of the navigator," which with 140,000 glass tiles, each 1/2 inch square, celebrates several aspects of Hawaiian culture: the ocean, the voyaging canoe, Maunakea, and the constellation known as Manaiakalani or "Maui's Fishhook"

Front 19

Finally, 'Imiloa Astronom Center of Hawaii is LEEDS certified by the US Green Building Council.

Back 19

This certification means that the building was constructed to save energy and increase efficiency in any way possible.

Front 20

Some of the key features of this effort include:

Back 20

Most of the building is made of recycled material from recycled metals to recycled gypsum board

Front 21

All chemical used in the building's construction paint, adhesives, etc. are low impact non-toxic applcations

Back 21

there are outlets available in the parking lot to accomodate re-chargeable cars

Front 22

light fixtures

Back 22

are all energy efficient