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October 18, 2012

Adopt-A-Visit to ʻImiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaiʻi

At a time when our nation is losing ground in our preparation of new scientists and engineers, ʻImiloa's innovative programs are helping to expand the pipeline of students headed for careers in science and technology.

ʻImiloa engages Hawaiʻi's youth by involving them in the hands-on exploration of astronomy, the Hawaiian language, navigation skills and indigenous culture.

Visitors to the Center experience an unforgettable journey through time and space and learn in the digital full-dome planetarium with its 3D stereoscopic capabilities.

ʻImiloa has an ambitious goal - give every student on the Big Island a field trip of discovery.

Private Support Fuels Experiential Learning

The Adopt-a-Visit program began in 2008 with a generous matching grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. The grant subsidized transportation, admission, and lunch for K-12 Hawaiʻi Island students so they could enjoy a special field trip to ʻImiloa. Energized by the generosity of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the Hawaiʻi Island community, observatories, businesses, and transportation partners joined the effort. Their contributions were matched 2:1 by the Moore Foundation. To broaden the impact of the visits, each visiting child was given an "ʻImiloa ʻOhana Visit Pass" so they could bring their families to the Center for a visit. Four years and 35,000 student field trips later, the program continues to serve as a model of the saying "It takes a community to raise a child."

Donors to the Adopt-a-Visit program ensure that this dynamic experience continues to be accessible to all Hawaiʻi Island children. The program fund makes it possible for schools to visit ʻImiloa free of charge with admission and transportation provided from anywhere on Hawaiʻi Island.

Adopt-A-Visit Benefits

  • Engage tomorrow's explorers to reach for the stars
  • Inspire Hawaiʻi Island's young minds to consider a career in science
  • Support local schools by providing access to interactive science education that reinforces science and math education taught in their classrooms
  • Provide an experience that enriches teachers' curriculum
  • Meet the class and enjoy the program with the students
  • Receive thank you letters from students
  • 100% tax deductible contribution
  • Give every Hawaiʻi Island child an ʻImiloa experience, regardless of where they live or what school they attend
  • Provide an educational learning experience children will remember for the rest of their lives.

image of school bus drawn by hand

Adopt-a-Visit Program Options

Your donation will help cover transportation, admission, materials and lunch.

$25 Adopt a Student
Fund a Hawaiʻi Island school student's visit to ʻImiloa.

$2500 Adopt a Class
Sponsor students from a Hawaiʻi Island school to visit ʻImiloa.

$7500 Adopt a School
Your donation of $7,500 funds a school's to visit ʻImiloa.

Your gift will provide inspiration, skills and hope for Hawaiʻi's next generation of innovators and explorers.

To support the Adopt-a-Visit program at ʻImiloa, please contact Margaret Shiba at (808) 933-0829 or [email protected].

Make a Gift


Comments from Parents

"To witness our child's interest in education and personal awareness soar to new heights is truly exciting! The resources, skills and energy the enrichment programs at ʻImiloa utilized to inspire the children is a great benefit to the education community. ...Our son also experienced the true meaning of ʻImiloa, the "exploration driven by a sense of wonder and imagination."

– Ian and Sue

"...Very engaging and the activities challenged their creativity and helped solidify the concepts by 'doing science.' From bubbles to sailboats, building marble tracks to mazes, it seemed the activities were endless fun."

–Kimberly

Comments from Young Visitors

"Once I walked inside, the life of the stars and moon all came alive… I'll never forget my visit and hopefully I can come back and visit soon!"

–Destiney, Hoʻokena School

"My favorite part of the visit was when I got to touch a real asteroid."

–Shea, Parker Lower School

hand drawn picture of children image of children in a group

Questions? / More Information

If you would like to learn how you can support UH students and programs like this, please contact us at 808 376-7800 or send us a message.