ʻImiloa (the name means "exploring new knowledge" in Hawaiian) is the best place in Hawaii to understand both the ancient Hawaiian relationship to the sky and the modern Mauna Kea Observatory complex. The museum draws the thread between Polynesian wayfinding — one of the greatest feats of navigation in human history — and the world-class astronomy that now happens on the same mountain the Hawaiians held sacred.
The exhibits are well designed and non-patronising: the Hawaiian cosmological traditions are presented on their own terms, not as colourful backdrop for the science exhibits. The planetarium runs shows on Hawaiian star lore as well as standard astronomy programming. The museum is on the University of Hawaii at Hilo campus, and the drive up gives a view over Hilo Bay.