Hawaii (Big Island) Off The Beaten Path Tips by BlueCollar

See a mountain's shadow on the clouds Mauna Kea Review

You will not find much to do on the top of Mauna Kea. If you came here yourself, you had better have rented a four-wheel drive vehicle for your descent. You will need to lock it into 4WD-low range so you can use the drivegears to slow your travel down the mountain as opposed to dragging your brakes. Dragging brakes cause heat build-up and, eventually, brake failure. You may just end up making a straight path at the next turn in the road. Besides, every car rental contract I have signed while on this island forbid the vehicle to be operated even on Saddle Road (the way you get to the observatory access road).

On top of that, the peak is almost at 14,000 feet. The air is thin and you may suffer oxygen deprivation. So be sure to stop at the turn-off from Saddle Road for about 30 minutes. Then stop at the visitor's center for about the same. You may climatize. If you cannot acclimate at this altitude, do not attempt to go further.

The tour companies that come up here bring oxygen just in case. Since it takes about two hours for emergency response to this remote area, it is better to go with one of them. On your own? Be careful.

The Keck Observatory has twin domes that house twin 10 meter optical telescopes. These scopes have scanned the heavens and have been instrumental in locating planets revolving around other stars in our own Milky Way Galaxy. Because of distance and atmoshere interference, they are only able to discern planets as small as 4x the diameter of the Earth. And with 200 billion neighboring stars in our home galaxy, there are plenty of places to make discoveries.

Although us common folks cannot tour the Keck Observatory, you can tour the Subaru Telescope. Just view the tip below.

You can see the product of Keck's work at the Onizuka Visitor's Center and in the lobby of the Keck observatory headquarters in Waimea.

Cont'd in next tip...

Phone: (808) 961-2180

Visit the Subaru Telescope Mauna Kea Review

From atop Mauna Kea, you can watch her shadow grow on the clouds below as the sun settles. After sunset, return to the Visitor's Center and view the heavens with the telescopes that the staff will bring outside (if it's clear). Just looking at the skies with your naked eye will reveal so many stars that you usually do not get to see. Why is that? You are above most of the atmosphere that causes interference and because it is so dark up here.

Have you ever wondered what is inside those white, domed buildings at the top of Mauna Kea? Well, I'm sure you know what's inside them. But, have you ever wanted to see inside and up close?

Now you can! AND, it is FREE!

However, there are several drawbacks. Here they are in no particular order:

The tour is offered up to 15 weekdays per month.

Reservations required at least one week in advance.

No children under the age of 16.

No pregnant women.

If you have respiratory or other serious physical conditions or limitations; please stay at sea level.

The road is just gravel towards the top and steep. If you drive yourself, you will need a strong understanding of driving mountainous roads and their asscoiated dangers, especially as it applies to your descent.

Does it sound like fun?

Click on the link below. Then find their "Visiting Subaru" link on the homepage.

Phone: 808-934-5056

Website: http://www.subarutelescope.org