Maunakea & the Saddle

Maunakea rises to 13,803 feet, the highest point in Hawaiʻi, and its summit often sits above the clouds. It’s also a wahi pana, a celebrated and storied place in Hawaiian tradition; the summit region is considered the realm of gods and spirits, and the mountain holds burials and shrines. Stay on roads and marked paths, and take nothing away.

The Visitor Information Station is as far as most cars should go

The Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station sits at 9,200 feet. Above it, the road is open only to dependable 4WD or AWD vehicles: the pavement ends about 300 yards past the station, then about 4.5 miles of steep graded gravel climb toward the summit. The University of Hawaiʻi says to check with your rental company before driving it, and the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority advises going up only on an authorized guided tour. Public summit hours run from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

Who shouldn’t go above the station

UH Hilo advises against going higher if you’re under 13, pregnant, have high blood pressure or a heart or respiratory condition, or went scuba diving in the previous 24 hours. Spend at least 30 minutes at the station to acclimate; the summit has about 40% less oxygen than sea level, and it’s cold enough for winter clothes year-round.

Stargazing

The station’s old nightly public telescope program ended in 2019. Today staff may give a laser-guided sky talk after twilight, depending on weather, and a free telescope night runs once a month with limited, reserved spots. For a guaranteed telescope session, a summit tour is the simple option: 4WD vans, sunset at the top, and on many tours, telescopes set up lower on the mountain after dark.

Compare every option on our Maunakea tours comparison, and read the Maunakea summit guide for what the night feels like.