After a two-year closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mokupapapa Discovery Center on Kamehameha Avenue in Hilo reopened to visitors Saturday on World Ocean Day.
“During that time, we did a lot of work in the facility,” said Education Coordinator Andy Collins. “It’s great to be reopened in downtown Hilo and to be able to greet visitors again.”
The discovery center has undergone several renovations, including an updated front desk space, textured flooring near the aquarium and a new upstairs facility featuring robotics, a technology hub and marine-inspired artwork.
The 3,5000-gallon saltwater aquarium was live-streamed online throughout the center’s closure and was back for in-person visits starting Saturday.
New exhibits are also planned throughout the year, including a sea turtle exhibit expected next month and a deep sea visual experience planned for the vault section located next to the aquarium.
“We did a lot of virtual and online programs, and some of that is going to continue,” Collins said.
The technology hub is a partnership between the Discovery Center and the MEGA Lab at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
MEGA Lab founder John Burns is supplying a variety of his 3D visual concepts and presentations including a cyber-canoe, 3D models of ocean reefs along Hawaii coasts, and several pairs of Oculus Rift virtual reality goggles that students can use to explore underwater settings while staying dry.
“We partnered with the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and professor John Bruns, who has a foundation that does a lot of visualization work through his MEGA Lab,” said Collins. The newly designed section will feature a stage and screens where guest speakers and lectures will take place throughout the year.
“This area will be for him and his students to talk with the public about high tech tools and conservation efforts,” Collins said.
Due to shipping delays, many of the new screens and equipment for the technology hub have not yet arrived at the center, but are expected within the next month.
The third floor will also host the Kenyan K. Beals Robotics Center, a collaboration with the Hawaii Science &Technology Museum where students can practice for upcoming robotics competitions. Students will have the chance to build their very own VEX, MATE ROV and underwater robots that can compete in matches.
“We almost had it open just before we closed for the pandemic,” Collins said. “We were getting ready to do a grand opening and then, unfortunately, had to shut everything down.”
There’s also an ongoing collection of artwork upstairs created by local artist and eco-activist Don Elwing, who utilizes marine debris and ocean scraps to create what he calls “awareness art.”
“We’re pretty excited to be reopened to the public again and have that energy back in here,” Collins said.
The Mokupapapa Discovery Center originally opened in 2003 down the street at the S. Hata building, later moving to the current space on Kamehameha Avenue in 2013.
“We were 10 years down there and are almost 10 years here,” said Collins. “Almost 20 years in Hilo.”
Despite all the new additions and changes for the facility, admission will remain free.
“We haven’t changed that,” said Collins. “We’ll still be free and open Tuesday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.”
The discovery center is part of the newly formed Museum Square, which will hosted a World Ocean Day event Saturday at Kalakaua Park. It was a collaboration between the The East Hawaii Cultural Center, the Hawaii Science &Technology Museum, The Pacific Tsunami Museum and the discovery center.
“With the museum square partnership, we’re hoping to host more quarterly events in Hilo for all four museums to try and build a nice museum trail for people to explore all four venues,” said Collins. “We’re very excited to be back.”
Email Grant Phillips at gphillips@hawaiitribune-herald.com