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We visit the center often. The entrance fees are pricey, so we became members, which gives us unlimited access and 10% off food in the cafe. We like going on a weekday mornings, enjoying a great breakfast, and then wandering around the exhibits and watching the movies at our leisure. The crowds usually show up right before lunch, about the time we are ready to leave. From Komohana Street, turn at Nowelo street. The picture below is at the top of Nowelo street where you can see Hilo Bay in the distance. Down Nowelo street a ways, the parking lot is to the left. The right side of the building is the Sky Garden Restaurant.
You can get to the restaurant through the entrance of 'Imiloa Center or directly through a side door. The cafe is full of light and has views of Hilo Bay.
For breakfast, a cheese omlette ($7.95 - 10% membership reduction). Awesome omlette and great coffee!
The 'Imiloa entrance has a gift store.
The Planetarium is right off entrance area. There is also a room dedicated to a 3D movie of planets. Quite impressive. Here is a portion of a video on the 3D globe.
Inside the exhibition center, there is a mockup of the Gemini telescope control center. CAM views display the current conditions at the Mauna Kea observatories and allow you to view current operations of the scopes. A big part of 'Imiloa Center's charter is to provide education to school children and teachers. There are numerous rooms for learning the Hawaiian language and astronomy. The displays and exhibits are excellent throughout the Center.
The planetarium shows are shown twice daily. There are special evening shows on topics that change month to month and sometimes for pure pleasure combined with music. 'Imiloa has the only 3D planetarium in the world. The effect is created with special glasses and it really adds to the already great shows. Copyright 2008 |
