April 15th, 2007:
`Ohana Discovery Day
Families are invited to participate in a fun-filled afternoon of exploration into the science and art of wayfinding, or Polynesian navigation, in an `Ohana Discovery Day program at `Imiloa Astronomy Center on Sunday, April 15th.
This two-hour interactive program is designed to engage children ages eight and older and their parents or guardians in hands-on cultural activities and shared learning experiences. The program begins at 2:00 p.m.
This exciting and timely family event will focus on many different aspects of voyaging. In one activity, children will learn about the Hawaiian Star Compass and discover how master navigators use these compass points to sail to far-away islands without the help of modern technology.
Families will also learn about other wayfinding methods, such as observing clouds, birds, ocean currents, and the sun. Through role-playing and exploratory activities, children will gain insight on what it takes to prepare for an ocean voyage, what life is like aboard a canoe, and how it feels to be part of a community that supports voyaging.
Admission to `Ohana Discovery Day is $5 per family for `Imiloa members (each family member must show membership ID card) and $10 per family for non-members. The Earl and Doris Bakken Foundation provides support to make `Ohana Discovery Day program affordable to all families.
Reservations are required and space is limited. To reserve your seat, sign up at `Imiloa’s front desk, call (808) 969-9711, or send an email to rsvp@imiloahawaii.org. Include your name, event (`Ohana Discovery Day), telephone number, and the number of people in your family. Your reservation will be confirmed by phone or email. Tickets can also be purchased in advance at `Imiloa Astronomy Center.
For more information about `Imiloa Astronomy Center, go to www.imiloahawaii.org. The Center is located in Hilo, off Komohana and Nowelo. The Center is located at 600 `Imiloa Place in Hilo, off Komohana Street and Nowelo. `Imiloa Astronomy Center is open to the public Tuesdays through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the `Imiloa Café is open for lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
April 11th through April 14, 2007:
Merrie Monarch Festival
A new partner for the Merrie Monarch Festival this year is `Imiloa Astronomy Center which is planning six days of cultural and educational programming in support of the Festival.
“Celebrating Hawaiian culture and Maunakea astronomy is our mission,” said Peter B. Giles, executive director of `Imiloa Astronomy Center, “and it fits in so well with the traditions of the Merrie Monarch Festival and its strong historic role in celebrating hula. We are so pleased this year to be a part of the 2007 Festival.” This is the first year that `Imiloa has been involved with the Merrie Monarch Festival.
Thanks to the County of Hawai`i Department of Research & Development and the Hawai`i Tourism Authority, a free shuttle will operate from Wednesday, April 11 through Saturday April 14, transporting visitors to all the key Festival sites, including `Imiloa. Maps of the shuttle route are available at `Imiloa and other downtown locations.
"On behalf of the Merrie Monarch Festival, I want to share my deepest appreciation to the 'Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai'i in wanting to share our special Hawaiian culture - especially the art of hula - with the rest of the world,” said Luana Thompson, Merrie Monarch Festival organizer.
A variety of presentations, demonstrations and talks are scheduled starting on Monday, April 9 through Saturday, April 14. The cultural and educational programming is designed to enhance the festival and provide festival goers with additional knowledge and information about elements of hula, native plants in hula, discussions of hula instruments and adornment, pa’u riders and hula genealogy.
Usually closed on Mondays, `Imiloa Astronomy Center will be open on Monday, April 9 to welcome visitors who are in town for the Merrie Monarch Festival.
The scheduled events include:
- Monday, April 9, 10-11:30 a.m. – “Plants Used in the Hula Tradition,” is a discussion led by native plant expert Kana’e Keawe and `Imiloa staff member Hokuao Pellegrino. A display of native and canoe plants found in hula will be available.
- Tuesday, April 10, 10 – 11:30 a.m. – “Hula Instruments and Adornments,” is a talk presented by Kapualani Nalimu.
- Wednesday, April 11, 10-11:30 a.m. – “Merrie Monarch Pa‘u Riders,” is a presentation featuring Pudding Lassiter, daughter of the local botany expert Kapua Wall Heuer. Pudding is one of the premiere horsewomen of Hawai`i Island, a pa‘u rider in local parades for many years, as well as judge of horse-riding events. Her presentation focuses on dressing, lei, and judging for pa‘u riders in the Merrie Monarch Parade.
- Thursday, April 12, 10-11:30 a.m. – “Hula Genealogy: The Rose Kuamo‘o School” is a presentation by some former students of Rose Kuamo‘o. They will discuss this hula style and the significance of Rose Kuamo‘o influence on Hawaiian hula dancing.
- Friday, April 13, 10-11:30 a.m. – “ ‘A‘a i ka Hula: A Brief Look at the Life and Hula Training of Mary Kawena Puku‘i,” gives us a deeper understanding about Mary Kawena Puku‘i: historian, hula expert, and authority on Hawaiian language and culture. Her granddaughter, Pelehonuamea Harman, will share photos, a brief video, and stories passed down to her ‘ohana and footage from the mid 1900s.
- Friday, April 13, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. –“Halau Around the World: Halau Hula ‘O Mehanaokala,” features 55 dancers from one of Japan’s largest and well-known halau. They will perform both kahiko and ‘auana style.
- Saturday, April 14, 1:00-2:30 p.m. – “Mele: A Field Guide,” is presented by Hawaiian ethnomusicologist Dr. Amy Stillman who will demonstrate ways that traditional Hawaiian dance poetry retrieved from archival sources can be revived through contemporary performance.
All Merrie Monarch programming at `Imiloa is presented free of charge on a space-available basis. Most events will be in the Moanahoku (Ocean of Stars) Hall. Admission fees apply for the exhibits and the planetarium shows.
`Imiloa Astronomy Center is generally open to the public Tuesdays through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the `Imiloa Café is open for lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. `Imiloa will open Monday, April 9th, for the Merrie Monarch Festival.
Through April 15, the Planetarium is featuring ‘Stars of the Pharaoh’ daily at 1 and 3 p.m. The Center’s feature show, ‘Maunakea Between Earth and Sky’ is shown daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. A new program every Saturday morning in the Planetarium is ‘The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket,” a show geared toward younger audiences.
The Center is located at 600 `Imiloa Place in Hilo, on the UH-Hilo Science and Technology Park off Komohana Street, and Nowelo Street, and left onto Imiloa Place.