Here’s what you don’t know about Hawaii and space exploration

Hawaii and outer space share an uncommon yet fascinating and aspirational connection. Interested in learning more? Read on!

Ancient navigators were the first astronomers

Polynesians were masters of celestial navigation way before any kind of telescopes. They used the absolute positions of the stars and seasonal patterns to guide hand-built double-hulled canoes across thousands of miles of vast, open Pacific ocean to discover places like Hawaii.

This remarkable knowledge has been passed down and preserved through the generations. Thankfully, it’s still practiced today through cultural programs and educational initiatives, most notably the Polynesian Voyaging Society.

A local boy turned NASA astronaut

Ellison Onizuka was born and raised in Kealakekua on the Big Island before joining the Air Force and then becoming NASA’s first Asian American astronaut. He logged 75 hours in space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1985, but then tragically lost his life with his crew in the Challenger disaster the following year.

His legacy lives on at the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy on Mauna Kea (aka Hale Pōhaku), which serves as a support base for visitors and world class astronomical facilities.

From volcano to Moon landing to splash landing

In the 1960s, NASA stumbled upon something incredible about Hawaii’s volcanic landscape – it looked just like the moon! This harsh rugged lava terrain around Kilauea and Mauna Kea became the training ground for Apollo astronauts, including Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

Fun Hawaii-Apollo facts:

• Crews from Apollo missions 13 through 17 spent countless hours practicing their moonwalks and rock-collecting techniques on Hawaii’s volcanic slopes
• The Apollo 11 crew, who were the first humans on the Moon, made splashdown on July 1969 in the Pacific Ocean southwest of Hawaii

Mars on Earth?

Scientists aren’t done with Hawaii’s otherworldly landscapes. NASA’s BASALT program (Biologic Analog Science Associated with Lava Terrains) uses Kilauea’s volcanic terrain to prepare for Mars exploration. In 2016, they even set up a mock Mission Control at Kilauea Military Camp to simulate Mars mission communications.

Meanwhile, the HI-SEAS habitat at 8,200 feet elevation on Mauna Loa hosts crews who live in isolation for months, simulating life on Mars. These brave souls study everything from team dynamics to resource management – crucial knowledge for future Mars missions.

Mauna Kea: Window to the universe

At 13,803 feet above sea level, Mauna Kea hosts some of the world’s most advanced telescopes.

The summit’s crystal-clear night skies and high altitude create some of the most ideal conditions for stargazing. The summit observatories are restricted to employees and mountain rangers, but that does not mean you can’t drive a 4WD car to the summit for some unforgettable nighttime stargazing.

Note: please keep in mind that Mauna Kea is considered a highly sacred site to Native Hawaiians, so be sure to treat this place with ultimate respect and reverence.

Haleakala’s space watchdog

Did you know that Haleakala isn’t just for sunrise viewing?

The summit is also home to the Maui Space Surveillance Complex (part of the US Space Force), where advanced telescopes track satellites and space debris.

Next time you’re up there for sunrise, remember you’re standing next to one of Earth’s most important space safety facilities!

The ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center

In Hilo, the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center brings together ancient Hawaiian navigation and modern astronomy. The center’s interactive exhibits and full-dome planetarium shows are fun and educational for anyone who’s fascinated with culture and space science.

Don’t miss the native gardens featuring plants brought to Hawaii by the first Polynesian voyagers.

A human return to the Moon

The International Lunar Observatory Association, based in Waimea on the Big Island, is working to establish a permanent observatory on the Moon, followed by eventual human settlement.

The non-profit organization combines Hawaii’s astronomy expertise with its deep cultural heritage to advance space exploration and galaxy education in ways that honor both scientific progress and cultural values.

A garden variety galaxy

The Galaxy Garden, located at the Paleaku Peace Gardens Sanctuary in Kona, is a one-of-a-kind 100-foot diameter outdoor scale model of the Milky Way, designed using living plants and flowers to represent various celestial features.

Created by artist Jon Lomberg, the garden is designed to celebrate the interconnectedness of science, nature, and our place in the universe.

Image credits: pedrik, 24277087@N07 (Pierre and Heidi Lesage), hawaii, Wikipedia, ulziibayar badamdorj, Roberto Q Fugate