The big day. You start at the Visitor’s Center at 9,000 feet. It’s nice, with a tidy little museum and gift shop. But then, it’s up the mountain (only with a tour guide!) on a treacherous road. Once at the top, we toured the Gemini and Keck telescopes. You can hike to the summit, too—but be mindful that it’s a sacred area to the locals.

• Stargazing program is conducted daily from 6pm to 10pm
• Escorted Summit Tour which is conducted every Saturday and Sunday
• Saturday night special programs

Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station (VIS)
177 Maka'ala Street
Hilo, HI 96720-5108

Telephone: VIS: (808) 961-2180, Weather/Road conditions: (808) 935-6268
Website: http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/mko/ http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/vis/
Cost: 0 USD per person
Hours: 9am until 10pm 365 days a year

General Directions:

(four-wheel drive vehicle needed to get to observatory)
From Hilo, take the Puainako Extension (Hwy 2000) which merges with Saddle Road (Hwy 200). Just before the 28 mile marker, there is a road to the right and a street sign that says Mauna Kea Access Road. Make the right turn. The station is about 6 miles up the road on the right side of the road.
From the Kona side of the island, take Highway 190 heading North toward Waimea. Just before the 6 mile marker, there is a turnoff on the right for Saddle Road (Hwy 200). Take Saddle Road until just after the 28 mile marker. Turn left onto the Mauna Kea Access Road. The station is about 6 miles up the road on the right side of the road.

Tips:

• It gets STINKING COLD up there. Like with snow and everything. You need a four-wheel-drive vehicle to ascend the mountain, too. Drink LOTS of water (and don’t eat a lot or smoke) on your way up to allay altitude sickness.
  
• Visitor Information Station website

Type: Sights & Activities
Tags: Hawaii observatory keck mauna kea gemini