The mission of the First Light Bookstore, as part of the Maunakea Visitor Information Station, is to support visitors to the Mauna in developing an awareness of the cultural, environmental and scientific significance of Maunakea.
Each year, we host a 'Maunakea Coin Contest' that is open to all K-12 students of the Big Island of Hawai`i. Students are invited to create a design for the coin, with elements of culture, astronomy (such as night sky, constellations, and telescopes), and nature (such as plants, animals, insects) found on or around Maunakea. On one side, the coin is stamped with the winners artwork, and the other side is stamped with the Maunakea Observatories Logo.
2026 Winner: Joefrey Trez Canete - 12th grader at Pāhoa High and Intermediate School
