Certainly one of the highlights of visiting The Big Island was the drive up to the top of Mauna Kea. It summits at 13, 796 feet above sea level (4205 m) and it’s possible to drive all but the last 50 feet or so. It has to be one of the more, if not mo,st accessible peaks in existence. (I stand ready to be corrected.)

The Mauna Kea Road

There are 13 observatories up here supported by a collaboration of 18 nations. If you’re a stargazer, there is probably no better place on earth, certainly none as open as this one, to practice your obsession.

When we left the visitor center – at 7000 feet (2134 m)  – the temperature was about 55 degrees F  (13 C) and we expected it to be much more brisk on top. It wasn’t. The temperature rose about 10 degrees F. Bright – very bright – and balmy.  It did not take long for the change in altitude to work its effects though so we spent less than an hour on top.

There are lots of things to see and do on Hawaii but this was the highlight for me.  This is on the go-back list.