Inspired by the Japanese Star Festival, the Tanabata Block Party in Hilo offered hundreds a unique evening of local astronomy featuring observatory tours, stargazing, educational booths, and cultural activities. More than 700 people braved rainy weather to attend the second annual event at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Science & Technology Park, home to many of the Maunakea Observatories’ base facilities. The facility tours were a major highlight, allowing nearly 200 visitors to step inside the “office” of Hawai‘i’s astronomers.

Observatory staff from the University of Hawaiʻi Institute for Astronomy (IfA), Subaru Telescope, and Gemini North Telescope hosted several hourly tours of their remote observation rooms. Since most scientists do not travel to the summit of Maunakea, these rooms are where astronomers conduct the majority of their work. Guests witnessed firsthand how staff monitor the skies, remotely control summit instruments, and communicate with colleagues worldwide.

“It’s wonderful because guests get to interact directly with the researchers here at Subaru, Gemini, and IfA,” said Christian Wong of Subaru Telescope. His colleague at Subaru, Kumiko Usuda-Sato, said, “It’s an amazing opportunity to share not only that knowledge but to let the students in our community know that this is a career that they can pursue right here in Hawaiʻi.” Kumiko Usuda-Sato, further emphasizing the importance of astronomers being an active part of the Hawai‘i Island community.

The event’s rich Japanese cultural offerings included taiko drumming by Taishoji Taiko and Hilo High Taiko, a Japanese Domestic Market car show, lively bon dance lessons, and Tanabata Storytelling led by the Hilo High Japan Club.

Special guests included Bill Stormont from the Office of Mauna Kea Management and Hawaiʻi County Councilmember Jennifer Kagiwada. Local radio station KWXX, with host Gavin Tanouye, provided a live stream of the event. “We’re trying to really expand and increase the offerings to make this event better and better each year,” Wong added.

In between the special performances and guest appearances, families engaged in learning about the many different types of science that take place on Maunakea and in Hilo at the myriad of educational booths set up along the closed road of A‘ohoku Place. The Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES) taught keiki how to make their own slime while also showering attendees in bubbles. The JCMT/EAO booth shared images of Pōwehi, the first-ever image of a black hole, with attendees alongside a laser demonstration. Later, guests finished the evening with a stargazing session, using powerful portable telescopes provided by various Maunakea Observatories for a real glimpse of the universe.

The 2025 Tanabata Block Party was sponsored by the Maunakea Observatories, the Hawaiʻi Science and Technology Museum, and Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Water, and coordinated by the Maunakea Astronomy Outreach Committee.

Mahalo to everyone who attended and supported this year’s event, which embodied a shared vision of strengthening bonds, inspiring curiosity, and celebrating the timeless interplay of heritage and the cosmos.

Activity and Information Stations:

International Gemini Observatory
Hawaiʻi Keiki Museum
Maunakea Visitor Information Station
ʻImiloa
PISCES
East Asia Observatory
Submillimeter Array
College of Pharmacy & First Aid Station
Hawaiʻi Science & Technology Museum
Yan Kyari
W.M. Keck Observatory
Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope
Institute for Astronomy
Center for Maunakea Stewardship
Thirty Meter Telescope

Food Trucks:

BI Smoke House
Double Zero Pizza HI
Tubular Treats
Oyatsu Hawaiʻi
Hilo High Teapresso Fundraiser
HI BOW
Ishida’s Kitchen

Residents and Maunakea Observatories Staff Connect at the Tanabata Block Party

Maunakea Shared Services: Making MKO Science Possible, Behind the Scenes