June2006 state-of-the-art planetarium are designed to take
order and enlightenment). “The Kumulipo Theater
visitors on a journey through culture, space, and
gives you an insight that you might not have
time.
brought with you from New York City or from Los Angeles,” said Peter Giles. “Is that important to
The Voyage Begins
the modern word? I would argue, yes!”
As visitors leave the lobby, they pass through
The Voyage Continues
a stylized koa forest on their way to the starlit summit area of Mauna Kea. One of the center’s
The centerpiece of the center’s Voyaging Exhibit
many volunteers, Don Romero, described it as “the
area is a one-fifth scale model of a canoe, a symbol
easiest walk to the summit you’ll ever have.” Along
of the ongoing journey of contemporary Hawaiians
Figure 4.
‘Imiloa houses more than 100 interactive exhibits, each presented in Hawaiian and English. In the Voyaging Exhibit, a one-fifth scale model of a voyaging canoe symbolizes the ongoing journey to preserve Hawaiian culture. Personal quotes from today’s explorers and communicators are printed on stylized sails.
Photo: Kirk Pu‘uohau-Pummill
the way visitors pass over an adze pit accompanied
to preserve their language, history, and culture.
by the sound of someone actually walking on
All the exhibits at the center are presented in
those flakes of rock, which are seen through a glass
Hawaiian and English, and quotes from today’s
floor. They will also see the vivid green hue of
explorers and communicators are also printed on
Lake Wai‘au, where natives would leave a newborn
stylized sails.
child’s umbilical cord (piko) to acknowledge the connection to one’s origins.
The Hawaiian voyaging experience is balanced by numerous exhibits that showcase the exploration
The origins connection is strengthened in the
of space by astronomers on Mauna Kea. Outlines
Kumulipo Theater. This multimedia experience
on the room’s carpet compare the sizes of the
presents the Hawaiian chant that chronicles the
different telescope mirrors on the mountain, while
birth of life. Just as astronomers today have shown
hands-on exhibits allow visitors to test out the
that the universe emerged as a chaotic mix from
astronomers’ tools and instruments. One of the
the darkness, so too did ancestral Hawaiians
more popular interactive displays is the Gemini
understand that all life emerged from Po, meaning
“Virtual Observatory.” It uses the former Gemini
the featureless dark. In a way, the Kumulipo
North control console to feature the Gemini Virtual
chant symbolizes the mission of ‘Imiloa: that from
Tour, live views of the Mauna Kea summit area,
darkness (ignorance) will grow light (a new mental
sample control screens, and astronomical images.
www.gemini.edu
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