'Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii

Lonely Planet review

'Imiloa Astronomy Center is one of Hawaii's most fascinating museums and is a provocative look at the creation stories of two very different peoples: Native Hawaiians and modern astronomers. This combination wouldn't make sense except that it embodies the story of Mauna Kea, which is central to Hawaiian mythology. Comparing these stories, one is struck by both their points of divergence and their synchronicities.

You begin by walking through a recreation of Mauna Kea itself. Then you are introduced to the kumulipo, the Hawaiian creation story (which is chanted in Hawaiian), and to wider Hawaiian culture. This is followed by bilingual exhibits (in English and Hawaiian) on the Big Bang, and descriptions of ancient Polynesian voyaging (including a scale model of the famed Hokule'a canoe) and modern-day astronomy on Mauna Kea. Keeping the eye-popping quotient high are videos, a 3D theater, 'Atomic Time Machines,' and an up-to-the-minute, 120-seat planetarium featuring a free, interesting 22-minute film (at 11:00 , 13:00 and 14:30 ). There's also a restaurant, a gift shop, a Hawaiian language center (call for weekend class schedules) and once-a-month astronomy presentations (call 969-9711 for reservations). Don't wait for a rainy day.