Science sights in Hawaii
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Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea (White Mountain) is Hawaii's highest peak, and its 4140m (13,796ft) summit has a cluster of observatory domes, containing what is considered the greatest collection of astronomical telescopes in the world. The Onizuka Center offers displays and stargazing, while a rugged 9.7km (6mi) hiking trail leads from here to the summit.
In Hilo, visit the 'Imiloa Astronomy Center, a planetarium and museum about modern science and ancient Hawaiian voyaging - and a good complement to visiting the summit.
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'Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii
'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 …
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'Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai'i
'Imiloa is a unique, provocative look at the creation stories of two very different peoples: Native Hawai'ians and modern astronomers. This unusual combination wouldn't make sense except that it embodies the story of Mauna Kea, which is central to Hawai'ian mythology and is now home to the world's most important conglomeration of observatories.
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 (includi…
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Maui Agricultural Research Center
The 20-acre Maui Agricultural Research Center perched above Waiakoa village is under the jurisdiction of the University of Hawai'i. It's here that Hawaii's first proteas, natives of South Africa, were established in 1965. You can walk through rows of their colorful descendants, as well as new hybrids under development.
Named for the Greek god Proteus, who was noted for his ability to change form, the varieties on display here are amazingly diverse - some look like oversized pincushions, others like feathers and still others have spinelike petals. Nursery cuttings from the plants here are distributed to protea farms across Hawaii, which in turn supply florists as far away …
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Onizuka Center for International Astronomy
The Onizuka Center for International Astronomy offers displays, free astronomy presentations, awesome stargazing and summit tours (BYO 4WD).
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