Figure 1: The poster of the Tanabata Block Party 2025. (Credit: Maunakea Observatories)
Families, associates, and group members are invited to collect for a night of Japanese tradition, music, dance, science, and stargazing at the Tanabata Block Party 2025, taking place Saturday, August 30, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on North A`ohoku Place in Hilo, above `Imiloa, at the University of Hawai`i at Hilo Science and Technology Park.
This free, family-friendly celebration blends the great thing about Japanese custom with the marvel of contemporary science, together with Maunakea astronomy discoveries . Guests can sit up for thrilling cultural performances, hands-on actions, meals and leisure for all ages, together with:
- Taiko Drumming Performances by Taishoji Taiko and Hilo High Taiko
- Bon Dance Lessons to get everybody transferring to the beat by Hilo High Japan Club
- Tanabata Storytelling introduced by the Hilo High Japan Club
- Base facility excursions at UH Institute for Astronomy, Subaru Telescope, and Gemini North Telescope
- Fun science actions from native science teams and organizations alongside North A`ohoku Place
- Evening Stargazing with highly effective telescopes guided by the Maunakea Observatories
- JDM Car Show that includes beautiful Japanese home market-inspired autos
- Wide Variety of Food Trucks to maintain you nicely fed
The pageant will carry to life the timeless Japanese Tanabata legend, whereas additionally celebrating Hawai`i’s personal connections to the stars and area exploration. As the solar units, telescopes will flip skyward to supply breathtaking views of the evening sky, creating an ideal second to share tales and science below the stars.
Figure 2: The map of this occasion, as of August 18, 2025. (Credit: Maunakea Observatories)
Sponsored by the Maunakea Observatories, the Hawai`i Science and Technology Museum, and Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Water, and deliberate and organized by the Maunakea Astronomy Outreach Committee, the Tanabata Block Party 2025 goals to advertise cultural trade, strengthen group bonds, and encourage curiosity in each heritage and science.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: North A‘ohoku Place, Hilo – UH Hilo Science and Technology Park
Admission: Free, open to the public
Come for the culture, stay for the stars—don’t miss this distinctive celebration of custom, know-how, and togetherness in the coronary heart of Hilo.
Figure 3: Bon Dance Lessons by Hilo High Japan Club in the Subaru Telescope Courtyard at the Tanabata Block Party 2024 (Credit: NAOJ)
Figure 4: (left) Doug Simons, Director of the UH Institute for Astronomy (IfA), introduces the machine store at an IfA facility tour at the Tanabata Block Party 2024. (Credit: UHIfA) (proper) Guests collect in the Gemini Lobby to study the International Gemini Observatory. (Credit: Leinani Lozi)
Figure 5: (left) Subaru Telescope employees members information stargazing actions exterior of the Subaru Telescope Hilo Base Facility with a home made, highly effective telescope. (Credit: NAOJ) (proper) Gemini employees members information stargazing actions exterior of the Gemini Hilo Base Facility. (Credit: Jen Miller)