The Maunakea Summit & Stars Giveback tour combines our popular Maunakea Summit & Stars experience with an added volunteer opportunity to benefit the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative! Our journey from sea level, through an endangered dry forest, and to the nearly 14,000-foot summit of Maunakea reveals the wonders and world-class clarity of the Hawaiian night sky.
Book Public Tour!
The Give-Back Tour has limited availability. If it doesn’t match your travel plans, our Maunakea Summit & Stars runs more frequently.
Maunakea Summit & Stars Highlights:
- Depart earlier than our standard Mauna Kea Summit and Stars to make a stop at a rare and endangered native dry forest habitat.
- Participate in conservation work such as seed collection, while learning about The Waikoloa Dry forest Initiative and how they are revitalizing a Hawaiian critical habitat.
- $20.00 of the ticket price from each guest is donated directly to the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative to perpetuate their conservation work.
- Enjoy a warm picnic dinner.
- Delight in the awe-inspiring Hawaiian sunset at the top of Maunakea, the highest point in the Pacific
- Sip hot chocolate during a private star show with our high powered telescope
- View deep space objects with our Stellina digital telescope and share captured images of the Hawaiian night sky with your friends & family
Please read restrictions and FAQ carefully before booking this experience.
Time: Tour is approx. 8-9 hours. Travel time round-trip is approx. 3.5 hours from Waikoloa resorts
Restrictions: Guests should be able to do short walks on uneven or rocky terrain. Weather changes can occur quickly, and the access road to the summit can close without warning; therefore we cannot guarantee access to the summit or favorable conditions. The temperature can dip below freezing when at high elevations on the mountain. We sometimes encounter cold, wet, or muddy conditions. Due to the high altitude, this tour is not advised for those with respiratory, circulatory or heart conditions, pregnancy, or poor health. If you plan to scuba dive, do not plan to go to the summit within 24 hours after you dive due to the altitude. No children under 13. Other tour restrictions may apply – please contact us at 808.331.8505 for more information.
What to Bring & Wear: The Waikoloa Dry forest can be hot, however the summit of Mauna Kea is quite cold, so we recommend dressing in layers. Please bring a reusable water bottle, sturdy closed-toe shoes, warm socks and/or leggings, long pants, and a sweatshirt or sweater. Winter parkas and gloves are provided.
- Are guests allowed to go into the observatories?
There are currently no observatories open to the public.
- How cold is it at the summit of Maunakea?
Average mean temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 Celsius.
- Is the vehicle ride bumpy and windy?
For safety reasons the access road to the summit of Maunakea requires a four-wheel drive, so it can be bumpy. Our custom off-road motor coaches will get you to the top and back as comfortably as possible.
- What kind of telescope is used for stargazing?
We utilize an 11” Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. We also use a Stellina digital telescope to view & take photographs of deep space objects that will be emailed to you to keep & share.
- What is the guide to guest ratio?
Our maximum guide to guest ratio is 1:12.
- How many guests do you take up per night?
Our permit allows for a maximum of 2 vehicles per night, and our vehicles carry a maximum of 12 passengers each.
- Do you go up to Maunakea summit every night?
The Giveback Experience operates every Wednesday night, weather permitting.
- Are children allowed on this tour? Children under 13 are not permitted on this tour due to altitude.
- Is there much walking/hiking on this tour? There is minimal walking on this tour, the maximum being up to half a mile, mostly at the Dry Forest.
- Will I able to hike & explore the summit on my own? Unfortunately, due to safety & permitting restrictions, guests are unable to explore the summit before sunset on their own. Our guests will need to stay near our guides & vehicles while on the tour
- I would like to see a specific astronomical event from the summit. How can I arrange this? Check out Bishop Museum - Astronomy for upcoming celestial events, and whether they will be observable in the Hawaiian sky.
- Will there be snow on our trip? Snow is seasonal at Mauna Kea, with the heaviest snowfall occurring during the winter months.
- What if it’s cloudy on Maunakea? The summit and visitor center areas of Maunakea are generally above the clouds. Due to our high demand for this experience and the constraints of our permit, we are often unable to reschedule guests when cancellations occur. Therefore we try to avoid canceling tours if we can safely reach the visitor's center and/or summit. Conditions constantly change on the mountain, and the weather is part of the adventure.
- Can I join the tour from Hilo? This tour only departs from Kona and there is no safe and legal place for you to leave your vehicle along the Saddle road late at night. The nearest meeting location for Hilo based guests is the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy (also referred to as the Maunakea Visitors Center) which is located on Mauankea itself. Please note, ride share options (Uber, Lyft) are NOT recommended due to the remote location. If you have any additional questions please contact our office for more details.
Our Giveback trips depart on Wednesdays from the King Kamehameha Courtyard Marriott in Kailua-Kona, Queen’s Marketplace in Waikoloa Beach Resort, and the Waikoloa Plaza in Waikoloa Village. 8- 9 hours round trip.
A $20 donation to the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative, warm picnic style dinner, assorted teas, hot chocolate, and dessert.
We provide warm wear including, hooded parkas and gloves.
