May 2nd, 2009  

The Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station participated in the 8^th Annual AstroDay held at Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo with approximately 12,000 in public attendance.  A continual flow of people engaged in several activities at the VIS Booth.  The ever popular snow grabbed most passerbys attention, as we then offered to make visitors their own AstroDay buttons.  Thanks to all of the volunteers who came out and made our booth an excellent place to ask questions:  Lorna Wilson, Joe Hannan, Amy Kolb, Richard and Marian Hilliard, Kim Walton, Robbie Albarran, and Phil Ozer.  Staff members Dave Byrne, Callie McNew, and Ranger, Matt Church also attended.  We will definitely be participating in every AstroDay festival to come!  Visit the AstroDay Website for more information about past and future AstroDay events, and other exciting outreach activities on the Big Island.

                        Volunteers Lorna, Kim, and Joe run the VIS booth                     Kids look through our Dobsonian telescope at a 

                                                                                                                                        picture of the Sun

       
                                  
                       The VIS booth was an exciting stop for many families!             VIS Manager, Dave Byrne, shares the wonder of real 

                                                                                                                            Mauna Kea snow with happy children