Gemini Staff Join in Hilo's Merrie Monarch Parade

The Maunakea Observatory marchers line up at the start of the parade route.
Image credit: Gemini Observatory/NSF/AURA/Alexis Acohido

Over 40 astronomy professionals and fans marched in this year’s Merrie Monarch Parade, led by cultural practitioner Kimo Pihana and Gemini and East Asian Observatory directors Laura Ferrarese and Jessica Dempsey, respectively. This year, in addition to handing out astronomical-themed candies, CO₂ “snow” (as used to clean telescope mirrors) flurried down the streets from a decorated Maunakea Support Services (MKSS) vehicle. The Merrie Monarch parade is part of the annual week-long Merrie Monarch Hula festival in Hilo which attracts thousands of visitors and local residents each year to Hilo. The festival honors King David Kalākaua, who was known as the “Merrie Monarch” for his patronage of Native Hawaiian arts, and for his role in the revitalization of Hawaiian culture.