'We were happy that so many people came out to enjoy the Tanabata Festival here in Hilo. 'The Tanabata Festival is an important part of Japanese culture and a great way for us to share astronomy and culture together as one,' says Subaru Telescope director Satoshi Miyazaki. The first Tanabata Festival was held at `Imiloa in 2019 to celebrate Subaru Telescope’s 20th anniversary, and this year, participants celebrated the community event after the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The Tanabata Japanese Star Festival at `Imiloa Astronomy Center (hereafter `Imiloa) drew a crowd of nearly 2,500 to the half-day free event on Saturday, August 19, 2023, that showcased special planetarium shows, Japanese crafts, and summer festival games, bon dance lessons, taiko performances, entertainment, `ono (delicious) food and more.
