EVENTS
The Maunakea Astronomy Outreach Committee (MKAOC) coordinates the collective community outreach and engagement activities of observatories on Hawaiʻi Island. MKAOC offers family-friend events; ʻāina-based events; and educational opportunities to learn about astronomy, science, and Hawaiian culture.
Community Calendar
Join us for Stargazing!
The Maunakea Visitor Information Station offers free stargazing at an elevation of 9,200 feet (2800 meters). Click here for more information.
PARTNER EVENT: Paleo Lab: Unit 3: Dinosaur Domains - Explore the World of Dinosaurs
April 30, 2025
3:00p - 4:30p
ʻImiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii
Join ʻImiloa for an exciting after-school program where keiki (grade K-5) dive into the ancient world of fossils and prehistoric life. Through hands-on sessions, keiki will learn how fossils form and uncover what they reveal about life millions of years ago.
Travel back in time and discover the incredible diversity of dinosaurs! In this action-packed session, kids will explore the different types of dinosaurs, how they lived, and what their habitats were like. Campers will learn about dinosaur adaptations and create their own "design-a-dino" while uncovering the mysteries of how dinosaurs lived in various environments.
PARTNER EVENT: Dino at Dusk - Dinomite Glow-Up!
May 1, 2025
5:30p - 7:30p
ʻImiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii
Discover the magic of the museum exhibits after dark with ʻImiloa’s enhanced evening experience on select Thursdays. Enjoy after-hours access to the exhibits, unique activities and crafts, and programs tailored to elevate your adventure.
Experience the magic of “Expedition Dinosaur: Into the Deep” with glow-in-the-dark scavenger hunts, luminous crafts, and prehistoric excitement for the whole family.
AstroDay 2025 - Expanding Your Universe
May 3, 2025
10:00a - 4:00p
Prince Kuhio Plaza
AstroDay 2025, the 23rd annual science celebration hosted by Maunakea Observatories, returns to Prince Kūhiō Plaza in Hilo. This free community event features hands-on activities, science demonstrations, robotics, giveaways, and educational fun for all ages.
Throughout the day, attendees can visit hands-on activity stations to collect AstroDay coins and enter to win prizes, including telescopes and skateboards. The event will feature interactive science exhibits, educational games, and giveaways for all ages. Highlights include live science demonstrations, entertainment,
The public can also enjoy and interact with robotics projects from local high schools, and the Hawaii Science and Technology Museum (HSTM) will host a “Robot Rumble”, where 15 robotic teams from around Hawaii Island will battle it out against each other! “The last robot standing wins!” says Christian Wong, founder of HSTM.
The 2025 winners of the Maunakea Coin Contest, a statewide graphic design competition for Hawaiʻi Island students in grades K through 12, will be announced at 10:00 a.m., immediately following the opening ceremony. Top designs will earn prizes and a spot on this year’s official AstroDay collector coins and event t-shirts.
Journey through
the Universe
For the past 20 years, Journey Through the Universe has been Hawaiʻi Island’s preeminent astronomy education and outreach program, inspiring students to explore science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in the classroom and beyond.
AstroDay
AstroDay is a free community science and astronomy event supported by the Maunakea Astronomy Outreach Committee (MKAOC). AstroDay coincides with Astronomy Day, an international grassroots movement to share the joy of astronomy with local communities.
Families and schools are invited to join AstroDay events in both Hilo and Kona for exhibits, demonstrations, activities, and entertainment designed to inspire the next generation of astronomers.
Maunakea
Coin Contest
Every year, Hawaiʻi Island K-12 students have the opportunity to design the Maunakea collector’s coin. From hundreds of entries, one lucky winner’s design is selected by a panel of judges and gets printed on that year’s coin! The bronze collector’s coin is available at the First Light Bookstore at the Visitor Information Station on Maunakea, and aluminum versions of the coin are available at Maunakea Astronomy Outreach Committee events throughout the year.
Solar System Walk
This annual event transforms Waimea town into a scale model of our solar system and invites Hawaiʻi Island community to enjoy a day of outdoor education and astronomical fun.
