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: Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Volunteer Days
September 19, 24, or 26, 2024
Times TBA
Kilohana Hunting Station, unless instructed otherwise
September out-planting dates have been announced for the Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Project! MKFRP’s goal is to extend the forest to lower elevations in the Pu‘u Mali Restoration Area and the Ka‘ohe Restoration Area to mitigate habitat loss and increase year-round food availability for Palila.
Waimea Family Food Truck Friday
September 20; October 25; November 15, 2024
4:00p - 8:00p
The Waimea Family Food Truck Friday is a monthly community event that happens on the Big Island of Hawaii in the heart of Waimea Town. Come out and support the local food and beverage vendors.
W.M Keck Observatory Headquarters
PARTNER EVENT: 2024 Kuleana and Community Talk Story Series with Kaleo Pilago
October 4, 2024
12:00p - 1:00p
UH Hilo is welcoming the public to its 2024 Kuleana and Community Talk Story series! This weekly event features guest speakers from various fields who will share their insights on topics relevant to the community. Join them on October 4th to hear from Mauna Kea Stewardship’s Kaleo Pilago. To read about more dates in this series, click the Learn More button.
UH-Hilo Kilohana Academic Success Center
PARTNER EVENT: Hālau Lamakū Fall Enrichment Program
October 7 - 11, 2024
ʻImiloa is proud to present our next Hālau Lamakū enrichment program "Human Anatomy and Body Systems" over Fall break (Oct. 7 - 11) for curious keiki currently enrolled in grades K-5. Click the Learn More button for registration information and pricing.
ʻImiloa Astronomy Center
PARTNER EVENT: ʻIkuwā Festival
October 20, 2024
10:00a - 3:00p
ʻIkuwā is coming back to ʻImiloa! Join us for this FREE community festival celebrating our connections to land, sea and sky. Bring the whole ʻohana for planetarium programs, vendors, games, crafts, hula, mele and more!
ʻImiloa Astronomy Center
PARTNER EVENT: Hālau ʻŌkupu Play and Learn Program
October 21, 2024
9:00a - 11:00a
Hālau ʻŌkupu Play and Learn is a unique Place-based and Play-Based Enrichment Program designed for keiki (ages 1-4) and their caregivers. Join us as we celebrate the striking beauty and diversity of Hawai‘iʻs native flowers. Click the Learn More button for pricing.
ʻImiloa Astronomy Center
Waimea Solar System Walk
October 26, 2024
10:00a - 2:00p
Bring your ‘ohana to an interstellar journey right in Waimea town. This family-friendly event starts at W. M. Keck Observatory’s Headquarters, and takes you on a guided path that represents a scale model of our solar system. You will get a chance to learn about the planets and other celestial objects along the way— then finish at Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope’s headquarters where we will be celebrating CFHT’s 45th birthday!
W.M. Keck Headquarters
PARTNER EVENT: Haluluikeihiokamalama: Creativity & Divine Feminine Workshop Series
November 1 & 12, 2024
4:30p - 6:00p
Embark on a transformative journey through mele, oli, and an exploration of island consciousness and personal narrative with Kekuhi Kealiʻikanakaʻoleohaililani in our Haluluikeihiokamalama series. First of three events. Admission — $55, members; $70, non-members (per workshop)
ʻImiloa Astronomy Center
AstroDay Fall 2024
November 2, 2024
10:00a - 3:00p
Free family friendly AstroDay events will be held across Hawaiʻi Island. Stay tuned for more details!
Kona Commons
PARTNER EVENT: Hālau ʻŌkupu Play and Learn Program
November 18, 2024
9:00a - 11:00a
Hālau ʻŌkupu Play and Learn is a unique Place-based and Play-Based Enrichment Program designed for keiki (ages 1-4) and their caregivers. Join us as we traverse the vast expanse of our solar system! Click the Learn More button for pricing.
ʻImiloa Astronomy Center
CFHT Winter Star Party
December 7, 2024
6:00p
Join us on the lawn in front of CFHT for stargazing, food, and holiday crafts. This event happens concurrently with the Waimea Twilight Christmas Parade, so come early and dress warm!
CFHT, 65-1238 Mamalahoa Hwy
2025 Submillimeter Array Interferometry School
January 6-10, 2025
This series of lectures focusing on fundamentals of radio interferometry, with a special emphasis on the Submillimeter Array (SMA) interferometer and its new capabilities will extensively utilize the SMA, located on Maunakea, providing experience with performing observations, with data reduction training utilizing projects proposed by school participants.
The school application portal will open in August 2024. More details about the application process can be found on the registration page. Some travel support for early-career researchers will be available as needed for participation.
Hilo, HI
IfA Mānoa Open House
April 2025
This free interactive event includes talks, crafts, games, "ask an astronomer," and more. Hosted by the UH Institute for Astronomy, this is a great opportunity on Oʻahu to learn more about astronomy and specifics about UH's program.
2680 Woodlawn Dr., Honolulu, HI 96822
AstroDay 2025
May 2025
Family friendly AstroDay events will be held across Hawaiʻi Island. Stay tuned for more details!
Hawaiʻi Island
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.
