SUMMIT MAUNA KEA ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND
If you’re in love with the stars, the summit of Mauna Kea will bring you close to the cosmos. Towering 13,796 feet above sea level, Mauna Kea, or the White Mountain, is the highest point of elevation in Hawaiʻi. The summit is dotted with powerful telescopes from eleven different nations that pierce the mysteries of the universe, making it the world’s largest astronomical observatory.
Mauna Kea itself is a dormant volcano and last erupted some 4,000 years ago. The summit is one of the few places in the state where you can see snow, and geologic evidence suggests glaciers used to be part of its story. The volcano offers two areas of interest to visitors: a visitors' center halfway up the volcano and the summit itself.
The Onizuka Center for International Astronomy
Perched 9,200 feet up the mountain, the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy is named after Ellison Onizuka, the Hawaii-born astronaut who lost his life in the Challenger space shuttle disaster. The visitor center is open 365-days-a-year with restrooms, snacks, and fun souvenirs like Hawaiian ice scrapers.
Four nights a week—on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays—local amateur astronomers set up their telescopes at the center, so visitors can stargaze between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. There’s limited parking so if you want to secure your spot, it’s best to arrive early or try again another day.
Visiting the Mauna Kea Summit
After the visitor center, the road up to the summit turns to gravel, so only true 4-wheel drive vehicles (4WD) with low range travel is highly recommended. At the summit you can watch one of the most breathtaking sunsets in Hawaiʻi, or book a guided tour. Visitors can stay at the summit for thirty minutes after sunset.
It’s important to leave time to acclimatize to high altitudes. There’s thinner oxygen this high up so watch for signs of “mountain sickness,” which include dizziness, shortness of breath and drowsiness. It’s recommended to stop for an hour at the visitor center before completing the ascent and if you’ve been scuba diving, wait a full 24 hours before going up the volcano. Children under the age of sixteen should not go up to the summit.
Respecting the Mountain
The summit of Mauna Kea is sacred to Native Hawaiians, and the home of Poliʻahu, the snow goddess. The mountain is also a place of deep cultural and spiritual connection, tied to creation stories and ancestral practices. Visitors are asked to respect the mountain and not litter or disturb the natural environment in any way.
Getting to Mauna Kea
Before starting out for Mauna Kea, make sure you have warm clothes. Temperatures on the summit can drop as low as 30 Fahrenheit. You'll also want to gas up; the visitor center is a good 35 miles from the nearest gas station.
Follow Saddle Road (Hwy 200) until you reach the Mauna Kea access road which is directly across from the parking area of Pu’u Huluhulu Cinder Cone. Drive carefully as you ascend. It’s not unusual for free range cows to cross the road, and in the dark and mist they can be difficult to see. The visitor center actually sells cheeky “Beware of Invisible Cows” bumper stickers.
At 9,200 feet you’ll find the visitor center. If you’re planning on continuing to the summit, stop here for an hour first to get used to the higher elevation. After the visitor center, only 4WD vehicles are allowed on the gravel road. Several tour agencies do make the trip however and include parkas and thick gloves, so you don't have to pack your own winter gear all the way to Hawaiʻi!
view more best ofview more activitiesview our hotels on hawaii island