Letter to the Editor in today’s Hawaii Tribune-Herald:

‘Imiloa Is The Best

My wife and I recently spent two weeks on the Big Island, usually in the Hilo area, visiting with family and friends. I made my usual pilgrimage to the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, and wanted to express my enthusiasm and appreciation for the exhibits and for the work of ‘Imiloa’s staff.

Quite simply, ‘Imiloa is one of the crown jewels of the Big Island. The quality of the material at ‘Imiloa is very much the equal of anything done by the Smithsonian Institution at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Air and Space is much larger than ‘Imiloa, of course, but in terms of quality, ‘Imiloa is easily the equal of its larger counterpart.

Especially gratifying is the way in which ‘Imiloa seamlessly blends the indigenous mythology of Hawaii with the contemporary insights of astronomy and cosmology, and does so in such a way as to enhance one’s respect for both. Perhaps best of all, though, ‘Imiloa does not “talk down” to visitors. Many of the “hands-on” exhibits range from challenging to downright difficult, especially those concerned with simulating how astronomers set up observations on the Mauna Kea telescopes. I spent well over an hour setting up a simulation of the Gemini telescope for an observation of the Crab Nebula — and finally getting the hang of it!

As a former amateur astronomer and as someone who has a master’s degree in physics with an astrophysics emphasis, I think that an educated layperson willing to invest the time at ‘Imiloa could come away with at least an “101″-level education in astronomy. The day I was there, I only left because my wife and in-laws were waiting dinner on me.

I urge folks in Hilo to not be like people in Philadelphia — I have met several — who have never seen the Liberty Bell. Become ‘Imiloa patrons and discover the stars!

James R. Cowles

Kent, Wash.

Link