Mostly cloudy with scattered rain showers with possible snow showers and thunderstorms. The summit of Mauna Kea (one of the Big Island's five volcanoes-it's dormant) sits at 14,000 feet above sea level. 1. West winds up to 10 mph. We share our favorite tips and images on Instagram, click here to go to our instagram account. Good to know: a 1-hour stop at the visitor center halfway up the mountain will let your body acclimatize and greatly decreases the chance that youll experience altitude sickness while going to the summit. 1: Maui Overview 2: Things to Do 3: Where to Stay 4: Popular Sights and Destinations 5: Road to Hana (Maui) 6: Maui Itinerary 7: Maui blog posts, The second-biggest island in the chain, much of Mauis appeal comes from its natural landscape and biodiversity, including its two massive volcanoes, whale watching and marine ecosystems, 1: Oahu Overview 2: Things to Do 3: Where to Stay 4: Popular Sights and Destinations 5: Oahu Beaches 6: Oahu Itinerary 7: Oahu blog posts. On the way down, there's a parking area to stargaze and take pictures of the milkyway. Directions from Kona (64 mi) and Hilo (43 mi) to the summit of MaunaKea. Health Hazards Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. Winter Weather Advisory until March 2, 06:00 PM HST, Flood Advisory in effect from March 1, 09:03 PM HST until March 2, 12:00 AM HST, Excessive Rainfall and Winter Weather Forecasts, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Click here for more information. Summit tours do not allow children under 13 years of age on their tours because they have a much higher incidence of high altitude problems. Chance of precipitation 80 percent. Your age, gender, or physical fitness do not affect your likelihood of getting altitude sickness, and altitude sickness can become a medical emergency if ignored. He gave great history and facts. 2. Stay warm and dry; hypothermia (low body temperature) is a killer. 91% of travelers recommend this experience. A big disappointment. I'd recommend arriving early enough to get a parking space and doing this before waiting for the sky to be dark enough to star gaze. Be prepared to treat injuries caused by falls on sharp, glassy lava. There are serious and potentially fatal consequences of hiking at high altitude. Are there places to stop along the way from Kona to Maura kea visitor center TheVIShas limited food and restroom services. All Snow-Play is at Your Own Risk. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. That's why we send you the best local adventures, stories, and expert advice, right to your inbox. The visitor center is at an elevation of about 9,200 feet while the summit is at. Visitor center is nice with souvenir type stuff, but not much beyond that in terms of educational material. (there is only one road.) This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Seeing the sunset from the summit is more spectacular but the visitor information center is a good alternative if you cannot make it to the summit. There is almost nothing at all between Hilo and Kona on that road. On saddle road. extreme drowsiness that may lead to coma. If you like stargazing you should definitely have a look at our astronomy calendar for Hawaii to see if there is a meteor shower or other good excuse to look up at the stars during your stay. I would check locally before I booked a tour. These nights are: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (weather permitting), and reservations are not needed. You should have a 4-wheel drive vehicle for driving up to the summit. 2023 University of Hawaii at Hilo, 200 W. Kwili St., Hilo, HI, 96720. Mauna Loa Observatory Road for information on the road to the observatory On Tuesday, it snowed at the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Center for the first time in three years. Mainly fresh winds. Kama'ina Observatory Experience: The Kamaina Observatory Experience is currently suspended due to COVID 19. Seeing the sunset from the Mauna Kea visitor center is a good alternative is you do not want to go all the way to the summit. Important: Due to COVID restrictions the free star gazing program described below is currently NOT offered. Summit Access Road conditions: Maunakea weather varies widely and sometimes very quickly. Either way, it only cost us $1 to buy a cup of hot chocolate from the Mauna Kea Visitor Center, so we felt like it was worth it at the time. The Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station (VIS) is located on the Maunakea Access Road at 1945'33"N Latitude, 1552722W Longitude, and 9,200ft (2,804m) Elevation. You will likely need your phone flash light to get back to your car. Video / Feb 27, 2023 / 09:25 PM HST. Tours going up Mauna Kea have several advantages over planning a visit yourself. Did you know: that you can actually see more stars from the visitor station than from the Maunakea summit? Not 2021, but we were there in Nov and they didnt have the park guide providing the free talks. IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST AFTER DESCENT TO SEA LEVEL, SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION WITHOUT DELAY. Invitation to Talk Story with the Mauna Kea Observatories. Its more than just traditional western constellations, however. Snowmobiles and devices lacking directional or braking mechanisms, such as inner tubes and boogie boards, are prohibited. At 13.5 miles in length, this hike will take you anywhere from 5 - 10 hours to complete. Still, the visit to the top of Mauna Kea is worth it. 13 years ago. Please explore responsibly! It was a cloudy night with a very bright moon, but we still enjoyed it. Hilo, HI 96720-5108. The visitor center is at an altitude of 9,200ft, so you might want to hike R1 or one of the many trails beginning at the visitors center before driving to the top, which is at about 13,800ft. Most Visitor Centers are welcoming. Mauna Kea Summit: Gorgeous, if the weather cooperates - See 4,612 traveler reviews, 3,027 candid photos, and great deals for Kailua-Kona, HI, at Tripadvisor. The Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station (VIS) on Maunakea is open every day of the year from 9am to 9pm at the 9,200 foot (2,804 meter) level. Those traveling to the summit should always use 4WD Low Range to reduce brake failure and overheating. Please be aware of the possibility of long lines and scarce parking at the Visitor Information Station (VIS) on these evenings until ~1.5 hours after sunset. The Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station (VIS) on Maunakea is open every day of the year from 9am to 9pm at the 9,200 foot (2,804 meter) level. Mostly clear. Deeper than 3,900ft lie the midnight zone and abyss. We spent about an hour watching the multiple transitions of bright colors this sunset underwent. Symptoms of altitude sickness include: headaches, drowsiness, nausea, shortness of breath, and poor judgment. The Maunakea summit is in our opinion one of the best places to see the sunset on Hawaii, and considering the competition that says a lot! You will need to show your Hawaii state ID or drivers license on the day of the tour. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - CUSTOMER SERVICE (70%): Maunakea. The summit and both cabins are closed due to hazards from the recent eruption. The Imiloa Astronomy Center is located just down the street from CMS offices. Lows 26 to 42. I can't figure out what's open or not. Because of the winter conditions, the road to the summit remains closed. Check out the Maunakea Visitor Information Station website F.A.Q. A total of 24 hikers are allowed per night at the Pu'u 'ula'ula (Red Hill). our vision. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Mauna Kea was formed by the same hotspot that created the entire Hawaiian Archipelago and the french frigate shoals (gotta make sure I spelled that right too). The dusting delighted the lucky few who were able to see it in person. Temperatures can reach near freezing some nights at the visitor center. Print/PDF map. The guided tour was my major draw for this event. Our drive up from the coast to the visitor was amazing. As a paradise for active travelers it is rich in experiences that include nature, culinary discoveries, historic landmarks, shopping, nightlife and festivals. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. It is open Tuesdays - Sundays (closed Mondays). This is a GREAT trip, but you MUST rent a vehicle that can drive it. Lake Waiau is located on Mauna Kea, more than 13.000 ft above sea level. Web Visit website. The summit is high altitude and the trail is over rough, jagged, and often loose lava. . Make sure your vehicle and any items taken to Maunakea are clean to prevent the spread of invasive species. This kind of weather pattern remains true for Mauna Kea, too. Snow accumulation up to 2 inches. Chance of rain 20 percent. If you like stargazing you should definitely have a look at our astronomy calendar for Hawaii to see if there is a meteor shower or other good excuse to look up at the stars during your stay. 4. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Winds were strong around 20-30 mph and the temps were around 40 degrees F. The visitor information station is a must stop just to get used to the altitude and throw on some extra clothes. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. A heavy fall of snow, heaviest during Wed night. HONOLULU (KHON2) The Big Island has seen quite a bit of winter weather and recently the visitor station at Maunakea welcomed snow. For example, no organizing is needed from your part, tours often pick you up at your hotel, and the guides really are added value as they often have an astronomy background and can give you a lot of background on the scientific and cultural significance of the summit. Measured from the base on the ocean floor, MaunaKea rises over 10,000 m (33,000 ft) high! Staff did not pay any attention to guests. more. Where: 35 miles west of Hilo on the island of Hawaii. Mauna Kea State Recreation Area helps protect one of Hawaii's most precious natural landmarks: a dormant volcano. It augments the stars you see into cool images of the various constellations. Pace yourself, drink plenty of water. On the road from the visitor center to the summit only 4WD vehicles are allowed, and the summit is off-limits from half and hour after sunset. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Early Hawaiians named the behemoth Maunakea, or "white mountain," for the snow that caps its broad slopes for parts of the year. How early must we arrive to ensure parking is available? Winds increasing (near gales from the WSW on Tue night, stormy winds from the WSW by Thu morning). Once we're at the visitor center we had our light dinner - beef stew and . You should stop at the Mauna Kea Visitors Center before you ascend, ideally for about an hour. There are special stargazing program events some Saturdays. Take the Daniel K Inouye Highway (Saddle Road) and turn onto Maunakea Access Road (Milepost 28). Chance of precipitation 70 percent. I didnt get any shots of the stars since I only have an iPhone, but heres a little pic of the moon for night time vibes. We were sent up the valley between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, cutting through stunning plant life and black lava fields, then up a winding mountain road where we broke through the first layer of cloud coverage. Our MaunaKea guide is quite extensive so to save you time we have summarized the most frequently asked questions (with their answers) below: Yes, but not with any car and only during daylight hours. Winds decreasing (gales from the WSW on Fri night, fresh winds from the WSW by Mon afternoon). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the W on Sat night, strong winds from the WSW by Tue afternoon). A: The lack of oxygen on the summit means your vision is not as acute there. Phone +1 808-961-8311. For more helpful information to better plan your trip to Maunakea click here. Hikers are required to pack out everything they pack in. The easiest and safest way to go to the summit is to join a tour. 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