WHERE: 'Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai'i, 600 'Imiloa Place, University of Hawai'i-Hilo's Science and Technology Park, corner of Komohana and Nowelo streets, just east of the UH-Hilo campus above Hilo town.

ABOUT 'IMILOA: In astronomy circles, the Big Island's clear night skies and high elevations are a mecca. But until recently, there was little to educate the general public or visitors to the place of the Islands in the field, to link the community to the astronomy infrastructure here (scientists, observatories and such), or compare and contrast Western-style scientific astronomical ideas with pre-contact Hawai'i's cosmology and understanding of the skies. 'Imiloa, funded primarily by NASA with key support from Sen. Dan Inouye, D-Hawai'i, has changed that. The $28 million, 40,000-square-foot exhibition and planetarium complex opened in February 2006, after years of planning.

The facility consists of an exhibit hall, planetarium, cafe and shop, with classrooms and private spaces for special programs. The exhibit hall meanders among displays, interactive games, blown-up photographs and listening stations for verbal material.

'Imiloa will most interest the science fanatics in the family, though efforts have been made to create displays that capture the imagination of even the science-challenged. And while the concept of including Hawaiian cultural history and ideas is a more than worthy one, the attempt here — for kama'aina, especially — seems forced. Exhibits appear to be aimed at tourists, covering material most locals already know. What seems lacking is side-by-side comparison and exploration of the two different worldviews.

TO DO: 'Imiloa offers frequent special events — daily planetarium shows, "Sky Tonight" astronomy tours and talks, musical performances and a science fair that opens in February. Check the Web site.

TO SEE: When we visited in October, 'Imiloa was a bit taken apart, preparing for the opening last month of a major new display, "Cosmic Questions," a traveling exhibit created by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory finding its permanent home at 'Imiloa. The display is composed of walk-through areas including Our Place in Space, Observing the Universe, Our Place in Time, and Great Mysteries, each offering hands-on interactive experiences.

"There is no place in the world like 'Imiloa," said Charles Alcock, director of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. "It is appropriate for our exhibit to cap its national tour and begin a new life here — at a new, state-of-the-art facility that works directly with 13 world-class observatories on the summit of Mauna Kea, where the sky is astonishingly clear and dark. The Cosmic Questions exhibition, like 'Imiloa, aims to show that the wonders of the universe aren't just for scientists. The stars are within reach for everyone."

WHERE TO EAT: 'Imiloa Cafe, bistro-style eatery with attractive views, operated by Hilo's extraordinary bakery, O'Keefe & Sons, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays; brunch, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays only; dinners, 5:30 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays only; exceptional baked goods and breakfasts; lunch salads, burgers, sandwiches, plates, reasonably priced and with healthful options. Reservations required for dinners, 969-9753 or 960-5129.

ADMISSION: $14.50 general; $10 kama'aina; $7.50 children 4 to 12; free to children under 4. Discounts for groups of 12 or more.

HOURS: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Sundays (closed Christmas and Thanksgiving); last narrated show, 3 p.m.

INFORMATION: www.imiloahawaii.org; 808-969-9700 (also, bro-chures with maps at hotels and tourist spots throughout Hilo).

Reach Wanda A. Adams at wadams@honoluluadvertiser.com.