Friends of the Institute for Astronomy

The Friends of the Institute for Astronomy (FIfA) foster community involvement and develop private funding resources in order to support the people, advance the research, promote astronomy education and public outreach, and enhance the activities of the Institute.

Astronaut Ed Lu explains asteroid
gravity tractors to Friends members.

Some of the most exciting science in the world is happening at the Institute for Astronomy (IfA), and you can be part of it! IfA scientists conduct research into galaxies, cosmology, stars, planets, and the Sun, as well as teaching undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Hawaii. We invite you to become part of the Friends and explore our amazing universe.

Become a Friend

Friends have these opportunities:

To volunteer your talents to support IfA scientists and astronomy education. For example, you can help with public lectures, programs for community organizations, and the annual IfA Open House.
To receive notices about public lectures and other events.
To share astronomical interests with other members.

To become a Friend, all you need to do is submit your contact information.

Send an e-mail to fifa@ifa.hawaii.edu. Please include your name, mailing address, phone number(s), e-mail address, and indicate if you would like to receive information about volunteer opportunities. You will automatically receive notices about public lectures and events.
Mail or fax your contact information to
Director's Office, Institute for Astronomy, 2680 Woodlawn Drive, Honolulu, HI 96822-1897
Director's Office fax line: 808 946-3467

Become a Donor

We encourage all Friends to become donors to support education and research at IfA. In the past donations have gone to support the following:

Purchase a vehicle to transport an inflatable planetarium to schools
Bring potential graduate students from all over the world to IfA for interviews
Sponsor dinners for guest scientists and graduate students to interact
Sponsor awards for outstanding research by graduate students
Fund research activities not covered by grants

As a donor, you may have these opportunities:

To meet IfA's prominent astronomers, who observe on the world's premier telescopes on Mauna Kea and Haleakala
To attend lectures to learn about the latest developments in astronomy and space missions
To tour facilities at one of the world's top astronomical centers
To participate in star parties and astronomy workshops

Learn More About the Friends

Find out more about Friends activities and membership:

A Friend answers a question at the annual IfA Open House .

Read the IfA Newsletter

The IfA publishes a newsletter with articles about the current research projects of IfA astronomers and engineers, as well as a list of astronomy events on Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island that are open to the public. The newsletter also includes a column about Friends activities.

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