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Mauna Kea
The road to access the summit of Mauna Kea is at mile marker 28 on Saddle Road. This area is very remote and the portion of Saddle Road from Hilo to Mauna Kea is in much better condition than that from Kona.
A normal car can make the six mile drive up to the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy a.k.a. the Visitors Center. They play different films about the volcano and its history throughout the day in several languages. There is also a store with souvenirs and supplies like brake fluid (could be handy for the ride down.) The view from the visitors center is impressive with rolling cinder cones and an unparalleled glimpse at Mauna Loa. Although, nothing compares to the awe-inspiring experience of setting foot on the summit.
It is no surprise given Hawaii's isolated location and Mauna Kea's outstanding height that it has become very popular with astronomers. Mauna Kea is home to the Keck telescopes, Gemini Observatory, and Canada-France- Hawaii Telescope, among others. The weather on Mauna Kea allows up to 300 clear nights a year and rises above 40% of the world's atmosphere making it ideal for studying the cosmos. Not everyone is thrilled with the large white and silver domes that adorn the summit. For native Hawaiians, Mauna Kea is a sacred place filled with tradition. For many, this volcano represents the beginning of life on earth. It is for this reason that many rituals take place on Mauna Kea. At 13,020 feet lies one of the most significant areas on the volcano, Lake Waiau.
Nestled in the shadow of the cinder cone Pu'u Waiau, the lake, which is fed by permafrost, gives off a bluish-green tint. It is a tradition among many Hawaiian families to take the umbilical cord of a newborn child up the mountain and place it near Lake Waiau to symbolize the family's connection to the earth. Since the lake is considered to be where spirits enter and leave the world, many chiefs are buried near there.
The road beyond the visitors center is unpaved for the most part and very steep. Do not attempt this in a normal car. A four wheel drive vehicle and good driving skills are required. They will occasionally close the summit due to inclimate weather - i.e. a blizzard, yes in Hawaii. Even when it's not snowing, the summit is quite cold and windy. The extreme altitude can also make normal activities like walking a labor. Make sure to bring plenty of water and take it easy. There are several guided tours that will take you to the summit and to the visitors center for evening star gazing. We highly recommend a guided tour for this adventure, versus doing it yourself for many reasons, but especially safety. In the recent past, visitors have mis judged the difficulty of the drive ended up off the road and in some cases, dead. Be careful. Tours: http://www.maunakea.com/
It is no surprise given Hawaii's isolated location and Mauna Kea's outstanding height that it has become very popular with astronomers. Mauna Kea is home to the Keck telescopes, Gemini Observatory, and Canada-France- Hawaii Telescope, among others. The weather on Mauna Kea allows up to 300 clear nights a year and rises above 40% of the world's atmosphere making it ideal for studying the cosmos. Not everyone is thrilled with the large white and silver domes that adorn the summit. For native Hawaiians, Mauna Kea is a sacred place filled with tradition. For many, this volcano represents the beginning of life on earth. It is for this reason that many rituals take place on Mauna Kea. At 13,020 feet lies one of the most significant areas on the volcano, Lake Waiau.
Nestled in the shadow of the cinder cone Pu'u Waiau, the lake, which is fed by permafrost, gives off a bluish-green tint. It is a tradition among many Hawaiian families to take the umbilical cord of a newborn child up the mountain and place it near Lake Waiau to symbolize the family's connection to the earth. Since the lake is considered to be where spirits enter and leave the world, many chiefs are buried near there.
The road beyond the visitors center is unpaved for the most part and very steep. Do not attempt this in a normal car. A four wheel drive vehicle and good driving skills are required. They will occasionally close the summit due to inclimate weather - i.e. a blizzard, yes in Hawaii. Even when it's not snowing, the summit is quite cold and windy. The extreme altitude can also make normal activities like walking a labor. Make sure to bring plenty of water and take it easy. There are several guided tours that will take you to the summit and to the visitors center for evening star gazing. We highly recommend a guided tour for this adventure, versus doing it yourself for many reasons, but especially safety. In the recent past, visitors have mis judged the difficulty of the drive ended up off the road and in some cases, dead. Be careful. Tours: http://www.maunakea.com/
Location: Mauna Kea is located in the Central Hawaii Region
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