The Tanabata Japanese Star Festival returned to ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center for a day of science and culture for the first time since 2019.
The festival follows the story of the annual reunion of two star-crossed lovers, a weaving princess named Orihime and a cow herder named Hikoboshi. Orihime’s father separates the two by placing them on opposites sides of Amanogawa, or the Milky Way. The couple is allowed to meet once every year, on the seventh day of the seventh month.
In astronomy, Orihime is the star Vega and Hikoboshi is the star Altair, which are both clearly visible in the summer months.
‘Imiloa celebrates the event with free admission and plenty of activities, such as Japanese crafts and games, bon dance lessons, taiko performances, food trucks and special planetarium shows.
“The Tanabata Festival is such a great event for us to bring to our island community, not only because the story itself is written in the stars, but also because it offers us an opportunity to share the Japanese culture with everyone,” said Subaru Telescope Director Satoshi Miyazaki.
Attendees learned about the “Story of Tanabata in the Night Sky” with planetarium programs running through the day. There were also special presentations from Subaru Telescope and the Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory.
Volunteers from Subaru Telescope and Hilo High School helped facilitate games and crafts in ‘Imiloa’s main exhibit such as making origami and traditional lanterns.
Eric Jeschke, Subaru Telescope’s software division chief, and Charlene Masuhara, advisor for the Hilo High Key Club, helped keiki make folded musubi boxes.
“I think it’s an important part of the observatory to do some outreach to the community and share our knowledge of science and astronomy through these fun crafts,” Jeschke said. “It gets kids excited about space and robotics and whatever else they may be interested in. It’s fun for us and great for the community.”
Masuhara said 30 kids from Hilo High came to volunteer with keiki and help out all over ‘Imiloa.
“This is a great opportunity for them. They learn a lot from service and interacting,” Masuhara said. “You can utilize these skills for many things and we already are planning to do some similar activities for May Day.”
Puna Taiko, Taishoji Taiko and the Hilo High School Taiko Club played throughout the day for the crowd.
An Okinawan folk music group from Honolulu also performed in the Moanahoku Hall and played traditional music for attendees and taught them the meanings behind the sounds.
After creating the origami versions of Orihime and Hikoboshi, Mattingly Miyahira was excited to explain the story herself and continue her day of fun.
“They are separated in the Milky Way and they can only see each other once a year,” Miyahira exclaimed. “I’m not sure what’s the most fun just yet, I haven’t done everything.”
“‘Imiloa is a place that celebrates Hawaii and its diverse community,” said ‘Imiloa Executive Director Ka‘iu Kimura. “We’re thrilled to be able to host the Tanabata Japanese Star Festival at ‘Imiloa again with support of local sponsors and organizations.”
The festival was sponsored by Subaru Telescope, ‘Imiloa, TMT International Observatory, KTA Super Stores and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii.
For more information on events at ‘Imiloa, visit imiloahawaii.org.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com
