Mauna Kea volcano rises high above the landscape on the north side of the Big Island, stretching 13,796 feet (4,205 meters).  Measured from its base, massive Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world.  The Mauna Kea Summit towers 33,476 feet (10,204 meters).  It is home to some of the world’s most powerful telescopes.  Astrophysicists from all over the world come to Hawaii to explore the far reaches of the Universe.  They are making astonishing discoveries nearly every month.  This research is made available to the public at the W.M. Keck Observatory in Waimea.   

VISTING THE SUMMIT

Please check Summit Road Conditions before you come!

If you are planning to visit the summit, we highly recommend that you stop at the Visitor Information Station (VIS) at 9,200 ft to receive a current weather update, safety information, and to adjust to the change in altitude.  Maunakea is one of the only places in the world where you can drive from sea level to 14,000 feet in about 2 hours, so altitude sickness is a high possibility.  At 14,000 feet, there is 40% less oxygen than at sea level, so visitors should acclimatize to the altitude before proceeding further up the mountain.  Anyone in poor health should consult their physician before planning a visit to Maunakea.  We do not recommend anyone who is pregnant to go further than the VIS.  People under the age of 16 should not go any further because their bodies are still developing and they are affected more rapidly when going to a high altitude.  If you plan to scuba dive, do not plan to go up to the summit within 24 hours after your dive.  Furthermore, we do not recommend anyone with a heart or respiratory problem to travel above the VIS. For your safety and the safety of others please view Maunakea Hazards and the Visiting Maunakea Video.

STAR GAZING

The free, public Stargazing event is held at the Visitor Information Center on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings (weather permitting). Parking is available for up to 115-vehicles on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the parking lots are full, all vehicles will be turned away.