{"id":135373,"date":"2021-02-15T08:00:13","date_gmt":"2021-02-15T18:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=135373"},"modified":"2021-02-22T11:31:14","modified_gmt":"2021-02-22T21:31:14","slug":"imiloa-celebrates-15th-birthday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2021\/02\/15\/imiloa-celebrates-15th-birthday\/","title":{"rendered":"\u02bbImiloa celebrates Hawai\u02bbi Island through 15th birthday"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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ʻImiloa<\/span> Astronomy Center<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The public is invited to join ʻImiloa<\/span> Astronomy Center<\/a> of Hawaiʻi<\/span> in celebrating 15 years of exploration February 20–March 19, 2021. “Celebrating Our Great Outdoors” will be a month-long event for the University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> at Hilo<\/a> outreach organization, with hands-on learning opportunities and virtual engagement for all. Diverse activities and events will encourage Hawaiʻi<\/span> Island families (and others) to explore nature and outdoor spaces, both online and physically, with a kickoff (drive-up) event at ʻImiloa<\/span> and subsequent pop-up locations at KTA<\/abbr> Super Stores throughout Hawaiʻi<\/span> Island.<\/p>\n

“We\u2019re very excited to be celebrating ʻImiloa\u2019s<\/span> 15th anniversary and welcome everyone to participate in the activities that we have planned,” said Executive Director Kaʻiu<\/span> Kimura<\/strong>. “This year we\u2019re celebrating the great outdoors and Hawaiʻi<\/span> Island\u2014the amazingly rich and diverse island that we call home.”<\/p>\n

The birthday celebration will start off with a goodie bag pick up at ʻImiloa<\/span> on Saturday, February 20, 9–11 a.m. Celebrants can drive up to the front door of ʻImiloa<\/span> and receive a bag that includes a specially developed Palapala Holoholo (an explorer\u2019s journal), an ʻImiloa<\/span> Explorer Kit, KTA<\/abbr> cookies and a kalo plant from the ʻImiloa<\/span> garden (to be replanted at home). When attending the ʻImiloa<\/span> birthday drive-up, participants are asked to remain in their vehicles while ʻImiloa<\/span> staff hand off birthday supplies through the passenger window.<\/p>\n

Palapala Holoholo<\/h2>\n

The word “palapala” in Hawaiian is representative of any kind of documentation; to write, to journal, and even to print or make drawings or designs. The word “holoholo” in Hawaiian means to go for a walk, ride, sail or stroll; for leisurely adventures and pleasant travels.<\/p>\n

The Palapala Holoholo is a journal filled with tips, trails, ʻImiloa<\/span>-curated activities and safety information that encourages participants to explore four outdoor hiking spots across the island—Hawaiʻi<\/span> Volcanoes National Park, Kaulana Manu Nature Trail, Pololū Valley, and the Puʻu<\/span> Waʻawaʻa<\/span> Dry Land Forest. The ʻImiloa<\/span> Explorer Kit is a complement to the Palapala Holoholo filled with six different crafts to stimulate and assist keiki in active observation while exploring these unique parts of the island.<\/p>\n

A more extensive digital version of the Palapala Holoholo will be available on the ʻImiloa<\/span> website<\/a>, as well as free downloadable prints and tutorial videos for crafts from the ʻImiloa<\/span> Explorer Kit.<\/p>\n

Popups at KTA<\/abbr> locations<\/h2>\n

KTA<\/abbr> Super Stores<\/a> is sponsoring the 15th birthday celebration. Following the birthday drive-up on February 20, ʻImiloa<\/span> will be sharing more birthday goodie bags at a variety of KTA<\/abbr> locations across the island on select Saturdays.<\/p>\n

“We are excited to host ʻImiloa’s<\/span> birthday pop-up stations at our stores and encourage everyone to check them out when they are here,” said Toby Taniguchi, KTA<\/abbr> Super Stores president and chief operating officer. “We wish ʻImiloa<\/span> many more years of success and birthday celebrations. Happy birthday and congratulations, ʻImiloa!”<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Interested individuals are also encouraged to enter social media contests that will be promoted throughout the month-long event. Be sure to follow ʻImiloa<\/span> on Facebook<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>. Details for contest entries, KTA<\/abbr> pop-up dates and the February 20 birthday drive-up can be found online on ʻImiloa\u2019s<\/span> website.<\/p>\n

“We want to thank KTA<\/abbr> Super Stores for their continued support of ʻImiloa<\/span>, and in particular our birthday,” said Kimura. “KTA<\/abbr> provides invaluable support to not only ʻImiloa,<\/span> but to numerous organizations and schools throughout our island community.” <\/p>\n