Aloha,

As mentioned at last week's MKOOC meeting, we were approached by 
Kilauea Military Camp (KMC) to have a presence at their Open House 
during the Volcanoes National Park Free Entrance Day on Saturday, 
August 15.  The park will publicize the event and anticipates a high 
occupancy rate for their cabins as well as a high visitor count by 
local people wishing to take advantage of the free admission to the 
park.  KMC hopes to show the public how they support our troops by 
opening their facility to the public, offering fun activities for the 
whole family that includes an outdoor barbecue.

The idea is to have an astronomy afternoon in the park, starting 
around 2-3 and running until darkness or later.  KMC is looking at 
hosting an afternoon BBQ function and having astronomy presentations 
or activities running at the same time in or around the presentation 
room (see the Vesta in Volcano webpage for an idea of the layout <http://astroday.net/Vesta.html
 >).   The manager has offered to feed presenters or exhibit hosts, 
and may be able to provide a comp cabin (no guarantees on this though) 
for the night.

The IfA will be there with an activity booth, and give a presentation, 
but we are looking for more partners at this event.  I think it will 
be a great opportunity to bring awareness for our Galileo Block Party, 
the Director's Lecture Series (later that night at Imiloa), and any 
other events we have planned throughout the end of the year, as well 
as informing people about the International Year of Astronomy and our 
world class observatories on Mauna Kea.  Here are some suggestions on 
things we can do:

* Solar viewing on the front lawn during the day / stargazing at night
* Powerpoint presentations in the Koa Room on:
Volcanoes in the Solar System (comparing/contrasting)
The sky tonight presentation
what will people see in the night sky later that evening (Jupiter 
near opposition)
providing star charts
overview of cultural astronomy and mythologies and folklore
Anyone's general or research specific astronomy presentation
* Button making activity for the youngsters
* Meteorite display / activity
* Other hands-on activity

Let me know if you'd be interested in joining us in the park August 
15.  Mahalo nui,

Gary Fujihara
UH Institute for Astronomy
640 N. A'Ohoku Place
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 932-2328
http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/hilo/Outreach.htm