Construction on the 40,000-square-foot center began in April on a nine-acre site in the University of Hawai'i at Hilo's University Park of Science and Technology. The center is scheduled to open late next year.

The center's futuristic design will include three gleaming, titanium-covered cones arranged on three sides of a 12,000-square-foot exhibit hall. One of the cones will house a multipurpose planetarium with a dome 53 feet in diameter. Another cone will serve as the center's entryway — with a gift shop — and the third cone will serve as a restaurant with a commanding view of Hilo Bay.

The dedication activities yesterday focused on the center's dual themes of Hawaiian culture and astronomy, with exhibits arranged around the park on everything from mirror grinding to the voyaging canoe Kea'eloa.

Astronomy base facilities at the park and in Waimea also hosted open houses to mark the event.

"It has always been my hope that we create a place of lifelong learning where the wonders of astronomy and the power of Native Hawaiian cultural traditions will together inspire the next generation of scientists and astronomers from Hawai'i," said Sen. Dan Inouye, D-Hawai'i, who helped secure federal financing for the project that was provided through NASA.

Yesterday's ceremony included the first presentations of the Impact Awards honoring achievements related to astronomy in Hawai'i.

Honored this year were the late Mitsuo Akiyama with the 2004 Economic Impact Award; Wil Kyselka with the 2004 Educational Impact Award; Dr. Walter Steiger with the 2004 Scientific Impact Award; and the late Clay Bertelmann with the 2004 Cultural Impact Award.