Astronaut Ellison Onizuka Science Day 2026

Join us for Onizuka Science Day!

We are proud to be working with the Onizuka family, the Onizuka Memorial Committee, the Hawaiʻi Science and Technology Museum, and the Canada France Hawaiʻi Telescope to bring Astronaut Ellison Onizuka Science Day back to Hilo! This free public event will feature a day of STEM exhibits, hands-on workshops, AMA with an astronaut, special guest speakers, and food in celebration of the inspiring life and legacy of Hawaiʻi’s first astronaut. All ages are welcome!

Event Details

Date: Saturday, Jan. 24, 7:45 am – 2:30 pm
Location: University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Who: Free community event for all ages (adults must accompany minors)
Parking: Free parking at UH Hilo campus parking lot next to W. Kawili St.

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Highlights & Activities

Meet veteran NASA Astronaut Donald R. Pettit
Special guest speakers
Exhibits and demonstrations by local STEM organizations
Hands-on workshops for students, grades 3–12
State Qualifying VEX IQ Robotics Tournament

Workshop Registration

Onizuka Day will include a variety of 1-hour, hands-on workshop sessions geared for students in grades 3–12. Seating is limited and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Our staff will do their best to place students in their preferred workshops. View the list of workshops and register using the links below.

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“Make your life count and the world will be a better place because you tried.”

—Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka

Schedule of Events

7:45 am – 8:45 am — Registration and Check-in (UHH Theater)
8:00 am – 1:30 pm — Interactive Booths (Library lanai)
8:00 am – 3:00 pm — Robotics Tournament (Campus Center)
9:00 am – 10:00 am — Opening Assembly (Theater)
10:00 am – 2:00 pm — Food Trucks (Library lanai)
10:15 am – 11:15 am — Workshop Session 1
11:30 am – 12:30 pm — Workshop Session 2
12:30 pm – 1:15 pm — Lunch & Science Demos
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm — Closing Assembly (Theater)

Astronaut AMA

Meet NASA Astronaut Donald R. Pettit

We are very excited to welcome NASA Astronaut Donald R. Pettit to the 21st Onizuka Science Day! Students who register for the Astronaut AMA workshop will have a chance to talk with this accomplished scientist and flight engineer who has spent a total of 590 days working in space.

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Donald R. Pettit, a native of Silverton, Oregon, earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Oregon State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Arizona. Before becoming an astronaut, he worked as a staff scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory, contributing to research in materials processing, atmospheric science, and space exploration technology. Selected by NASA in 1996, Pettit is a veteran of four spaceflights and has spent a total of 590 days in space, including multiple long-duration missions aboard the International Space Station. During his missions, he conducted scientific experiments, performed spacewalks, and helped maintain the space station, traveling millions of miles while orbiting the Earth.

Support Onizuka Day

BOOTH REGISTRATION

We are seeking local STEM organizations, businesses, or educators to host a booth or exhibit during Onizuka Science Day. If you are interested, please use the link below to register. Mahalo nui for your support!

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About Ellison Onizuka

HAWAIʻI'S FIRST ASTRONAUT

Ellison Onizuka was born and raised in Kealakekua on Hawaiʻi Island and earned his degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Colorado. He received a commission in the U.S. Air Force through ROTC and served as an aerospace flight test engineer at McClellan Air Force Base, and at the USAF Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base where he logged more than 1,700 hours of flight time.

Lt. Colonel Onizuka was selected as an astronaut candidate in January 1978, becoming the first Asian-American astronaut. He first flew as a mission specialist on STS 51-C—the first Department of Defense Space Shuttle mission—which launched from Kennedy Space Center on January 24, 1985. The mission completed 48 orbits around Earth with Ellison logging a total of 74 hours in space.

Onizuka was also a mission specialist for STS51-L aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger which launched from Kennedy Space Center on January 28, 1986. Tragically, Onizuka and the crew of STS 51-L perished minutes after launch when Challenger exploded during flight. Onizuka was the first astronaut from Hawaiʻi and his life, legacy, and outstanding contributions continue to inspire keiki and the Hawaiʻi community to this day.