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Mauna Kea is a
dormant volcano that last erupted
approximately 4000 years ago. Located in the
central Big Island, it sits north of Mauna
Loa, the world's most massive mountain. At
13,796 feet above sea level and over 33,000
feet from the bottom of the ocean floor,
Mauna Kea is the tallest sea mountain in the
world, even taller than Mt. Everest.
Yes, it does snow in Hawaii.
Mauna Kea means "white mountain" in Hawaiian
because its peaks are often blanketed in
snow during the winter months. It is
possible to ski here, but due to the high
altitude, extreme conditions, and short
season, it isn't recommended for the casual
skier.
Instead, visitors can travel
up Mauna Kea to gain access to unparalleled
stargazing. Because of its combination of
high altitude, clear air, and absence of
light, Mauna Kea is home to many
international observatories. The W.M. Keck
Observatory on the summit of Mauna Kea is
home to the twin Keck Telescopes, the
world's largest optical and infrared
telescopes.
Take a guided tour or learn
about Mauna Kea and its observatories at the
Onizuka Center for International Astronomy
Visitor Information Center, which is named
after Kona raised astronaut Ellison Onizuka,
who lost his life in the Challenger Shuttle
tragedy. Bring the family and see why
stargazing atop Mauna Kea is such an
unforgettable experience.
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Mauna Kea
is situated on the Big Island of Hawaii. It
can be reached from Route 200--the narrow
and winding Saddle Road, so named because it
runs between the two major volcanic
mountains, Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, at an
elevation of 2,000 m (6,600 ft). A paved
road leaves the Saddle Road at Mile 28 and
winds its way up to the lower slopes of
Mauna Kea to the Visitor Information Station
(VIS) at the Onizuka Center for
International Astronomy (OCIA), which is the
mid-level altitude acclimatization center
for scientists and technicians. The distance
from Hilo to the OCIA is 34 miles (55 km),
with the average travel time being 1 to
1-1/2 hours. |
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