HILO >> A Big Island planetarium and cultural center is looking at other sources of revenue to keep the $28 million facility running in anticipation of federal earmarks expiring.

Imiloa Astronomy Center Executive Director Kaiu Kimura says with the earmarks ranging from $1.5 million to $2.5 million a year expiring in June, the center is beginning to license out its own content for planetarium shows. 

The center’s show “Awesome Light” so far has been licensed to planetariums in Germany, Greece and Macao. A show about Mauna Kea has been translated into Chinese and the facility is looking to attract tour groups from China.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported today the center has received a National Science Foundation grant of $2.3 million over three years.