Navigating by the Stars and Kōkō a Makaliʻi

7:00 – 8:30 p.m. HST
In-person at the J. Watumull Planetarium
All ages welcome 

Navigating by the Stars occurs quarterly in February, May, August, and November. 

Online Registration Required 

General Admission: $10 per adult, $7 per youth 4-17, 3 and under free* 

Members: 50% off general admission member tickets 

Not a member? Join today! 

Join Hōkūleʻa navigator and Honolulu Community College Hoʻokele Instructor Kaʻiulani Murphy for Navigating by the Stars! Each talk will include an introduction to the night sky and celestial navigation and will feature the Hawaiian star line most prominent that month. The May presentation features the star line of Kaiwikuamoʻo. 

A special performance of Kōkō a Makaliʻi will open May’s program. Seating begins at 6:40 PM, and the musical performance begins at 7:00 PM. A short Q&A will follow before transitioning to the Navigating by the Stars featured program. 

About Kōkō a Makaliʻi
Presented by Ocean Music Action and Pulse Oceania 

Megan Conley (harp), Shawn Conley (bass), Danny Carvalho (guitars, ukulele), and Nawahine Lanzilotti (cello) invite you to their performance of Kōkō a Makaliʻi (the Net of Makaliʻi), a sonic collection of guided improvisational interactions exploring the brilliant brightness and cosmic darkness of the stars of Makaliʻi (Pleiades).  

Makaliʻi, also known as the Pleiades, is a star cluster important to many cultures around the world. Makaliʻi and other stars carry stories that guide us across oceans and through agricultural seasons. Celebrate the stories of our stars and how they teach us to care for our planet in this special performance followed by a brief talk story with the musicians. 

Please note: No late seating will be accommodated so as not to disturb the performance. However, registered attendees will be able to enter the planetarium during the transition after the performance to the regular planetarium program. 

Ocean Music Action  

Ocean Music Action is a nonprofit that harnesses the transformative power of music to build community and inspire action for ocean conservation. We believe music can open hearts, change minds, and move people to care for our planet. We present world-class performances featuring collaborations between exceptional artists across disciplines. In partnership with cultural leaders and environmental organizations. Our events combine music, science, and community engagement that directly supports local conservation efforts.   

Pulse Oceania  

Pulse Oceania is a Hawaiʻi-based indigenous performance incubator. We believe that a flourishing creative ecosystem rooted in aloha ʻāina will advance the health of our communities and lands. Our mission is to uplift Pacific storytelling projects not supported in the local marketplace through creative cohorts, land-based artist residencies, and community partnerships. 

*Guests 3 and under will be expected to share a seat with an adult/guardian. 

Program Details: 

• This is an in-person event at the J. Watumull Planetarium at Bishop Museum. No online options or recordings will be available. 
• Seating is first come, first served.
• No late seating. Doors close at 7:00 p.m. when the program begins. Please plan to arrive no later than 6:45 p.m. 
• Check-in and entry will be near Bishop Museum’s Shop Pacifica (front entrance and gift shop). The check-in table will be located at the top of the main staircase/ramp and to the right. 
• Check-in and viewing of the planetarium lobby will begin at 6:30 p.m. Doors open for planetarium seating at 6:40 p.m. The performance and presentation will begin at 7:00 p.m. and last approximately 1.5 hours. 
• No food or drink allowed in the planetarium. 
• The planetarium is fairly cool; you may want to bring a light sweater. 
• Evening parking is $5. Please pay for parking using a mobile phone through a posted Parklinq QR code (card payments only) or have your member parking sticker on your car. Please see Directions and Parking for more information. 
• Tickets are fully refundable until 6:00 p.m. the night of the show. Refunds can be issued over the phone at (808) 847-3511 or via email at visitorexperience@bishopmuseum.org. After 6:00 p.m., less than 1 hour before the scheduled start of the show, ticket sales are non-refundable. Refunds not available for no-shows or late arrivals. 
• For additional information about evening planetarium programs, please call (808) 847-3511 or email visitorexperience@bishopmuseum.org  both are monitored during Museum business hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.