Hilo, Hawai'i (January 24, 2026) - The 21st Astronaut Ellison Onizuka Science Day welcomed families back to the University of Hawai'i at Hilo campus for the first time since 2020, bringing together hundreds of students, parents, educators, and community partners for a high-energy celebration of science, technology, engineering, and math.

Hosted by the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES) in partnership with the Onizuka Family, Onizuka Memorial Foundation, Hawai'i Science and Technology Museum, and the Canada-France-Hawai'i Telescope, the free, all-ages event honored the legacy of Ellison Onizuka, Hawai'i's first astronaut, while inviting keiki to imagine themselves as future scientists, engineers, and explorers.

"This exciting event will include an Ask-Me-Anything session with NASA astronaut Donald R. Pettit," said PISCES Director Christian Andersen, describing a day packed with interactive learning, guest speakers, demonstrations, and a state-qualifying robotics tournament.

A Campus-Wide STEM Showcase

Throughout the morning and early afternoon, the UH Hilo campus buzzed with activity as workshops and exhibits ran concurrently, designed to be hands-on, engaging, and accessible for a wide range of ages.

  • Ask-Me-Anything with Donald R. Pettit: Students had the chance to hear directly from a space explorer and ask their biggest questions.
  • 11 student workshops: Workshop sessions served students in grades 3 through 12 across a wide range of STEM topics.
  • 16 interactive booths: Demonstrations and activity stations kept younger children, families, and robotics teams engaged all day.

Nearly 300 parents and keiki participated in workshop sessions, and many 'ohana also brought younger children in pre-K through second grade to explore the booths and cheer on robotics teams.

The event was made possible through community sponsorships and in-kind support, including American Savings Bank and KTA Super Stores. Additional acknowledgements included student and school groups such as Kamehameha Schools Keaau Campus National Honor Society, Waiakea High School Key Club, Waiakea High School Engineering Club, and Waiakea Intermediate Robotics, along with community supporters including Diana Veach, Theodora Hiro, and food vendors KG Mexican Food and Anuenue's Kitchen.

Continuing the Mission

As a research and education program within UH Hilo's College of Natural and Health Sciences, PISCES has spent nearly two decades building pathways into aerospace and applied research, especially for students in Hawai'i. With Onizuka Science Day now successfully back on campus, organizers hope the event will continue to grow as a yearly spark for curiosity, confidence, and STEM dreams across the island.

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