Stargazing Mauna Kea

Mauna Kea telescopes at night with stars. Photo copyright Sunny Takeishi.

Hawaii Island is home to the most prized astronomical site on the planet. Perched high atop Mauna Kea, rising 13,796 feet above sea level, 11 telescopes representing 13 countries are watching the heavens and making discoveries almost beyond our imagination. All this heavenly science is possible not just because of the elevation, but also because our air is so clear and light pollution is minimal.

Hawaii Air Tours & Hawaii Observatories

Some of Hawaii Island’s most awe-inspiring wonders you will never see—unless you take to the skies and get above it all. Take an aerial tour and you’ll skim over the landscape and marvel at the sheer size of the jungle valleys, cascading waterfalls, mountain summits, lava flows and secluded beaches. A flying tour early in your visit can also give you an idea of where you’d like to continue your exploration by foot or by car. It’s a good way to get a handle on the sheer scope of the land and the striking contrasts of its terrain.