Mauna Kea is the highest point in Hawai’i and a sacred site for native Hawaiian culture. The peak is 13,803 feet above sea level. It is the tallest sea mountain in the world from base at the sea floor to peak – over 33,000 feet. Mauna Kea’s summit is home to the world’s largest observatory for optical, infrared and submillimeter astronomy. Research teams from eleven different countries operate 13 telescopes atop Mauna Kea.
So peaceful up here. After the sunset we descended to about 9,000 to see the undiluted sky. Our guide pointed out the various constellations. This was better than any observatory I have been to – this was the real thing! We saw Jupiter, Orion, the Little Dipper, Aries, Andromeda, Cassiopeia, Persius and Aquarius, to name a few.
Lava field at base of Mauna Kea.Cinder cones on the side of Mauna Kea.Very Large Baseline Array, one of a series of ten satellite antennas around the US. It changed its angle slightly every 30 seconds or so while we were there.Above 9,000 feet elevation, the landscape looks like Mars!The telescopes on Mauna Kea are operated by 12 separate nonprofit observatories. Each has its own strengths with varying fields of view and sensitivities to light from radio to ultraviolet wavelengths, all important to the scientific productivity of Mauna Kea.
Mauna Kea is the world’s premier site for astronomy research because of the mountain’s high altitude, gentle slopes, calm air and dark skies allow for the clearest visibility on Earth for astronomical observation.Subaru telescope.Gemini telescope.The Subaru and two Keck telescopes.More satellite antennas.The true summit of Mauna Kea, a few feet higher than I am standing. It is a native sacred site, so visitors are not allow.This view is Mauna Loa to the south of Mauna Kea.A more complete view of Mauna Loa as the sun sets on Mauna Kea. Mauna Loa has elevation of 13,677 feet, and is part of the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.The mountain in the distance is Haleakalā on Maui! Two days earlier, we stood at the top of Haleakalā for sunrise and saw Mauna Kea in the distance! Amazing!Sunset on Mauna Kea! At almost 14,000 feet elevation, from here no clouds are above us!My group was not the only one at the summit for sunset!
We left Waikoloa Village on the northwest shore, headed for Hilo on the eastern shore.
Waikoloa Village.The view of Mauna Kea from across a lava field.There is a lot of agriculture on the island of Hawai’i. We saw a quite a few cattle farms. We were told that the primary crops on the island are tropical flowers and fruits. Early this morning, we drove through some rain and low clouds.After a morning drive of almost an hour and a half, the payoff: Waipiʻo Valley Lookout in Waimea HI.Close up of Kaluahine Falls.The cove at Laupāhoehoe Point.Laupāhoehoe Point.The turbulent waves at Laupāhoehoe Point this morning.Rough waves on the rocks!Another lovely bunch of coconuts.Saffron finches at ‘Akaka Falls State Park.Similar to the hike to Manoa Falls, the hike to ‘Akaka Falls was steep and in the jungle.Bamboo.Banyan tree.‘Akaka Falls is 442 feet tall, about twice the height of Niagara Falls. And it had a bit of a rainbow!Bird of paradise.
The north and west side of the island of Hawai’i is mostly lava. The landscape is black.The McDonald’s in Hawai’i have a few menu items we do not have on the east coast: Taro Pie, Portuguese Sausage, SPAM and Rice.So we went into this submarine for an underwater tour.At this depth, there is no color, so this coral looks colorless, but it would be colorful if it was up at sea level.Shipwrecks from the 1990s.Seaweed on the sea floor.The sea floor.This is the deepest we have ever been!We are rising!Leaving the submarine.Reconstruction of King Kamehameha’s home.Kamakahonu Beach.Moku‘aikaua Church, the oldest Christian church in the Hawaiian islands. The congregation dates back to the 1820s, and this building was constructed in 1837.Hulihe‘e Palace, the vacation home for Hawai’i’s royalty built in 1838, and the last royal home of King Kamehameha I.
We made it to our fifth island – Hawai’i! The Big Island! So we relaxed with dinner at the Lava Lava Beach Club.Very relaxed, beach atmosphere.Sunset at ʻAnaehoʻomalu Beach.Cool distance markers.So Windoek, Namibia is the furthest place on earth from Hawai’i – 19,490 miles!Live entertainment.
