updated 11/2008
Below is a list and an index to many of the most Frequently Asked Questions we receive.
Please submit your questions or comments about our FAQ here info@maunakea.com
No, normally not. At the time of day we visit the astronomers are quite busy and can't be interrupted. We do however see the observatories as they open their domes and swing into position. Some of the observatories are constructed so as to show a lot of the telescope from the exterior when the dome is open.
We are available for custom charters, which could be a day trip. Normally we tour one or two of the observatories during the daytime. If you'd like a quote for a custom charter please write your request to: reservations@maunakea.com
No, modern telescopes are not equipped for visual (eye) observing . The scientist are making digital images that can be frequently found on the internet.
Mauna Kea has 40% less oxygen than sea level.
Mauna Kea has 40% less air pressure than sea level.
This lack of vital oxygen can be a very serious problem for persons with HEART or LUNG disease.
Persons that have been SCUBA diving in the last 24 hours run the risk of getting "The Bends" because of the decreased air pressure and the build up of nitrogen in their bodies.
Pregnant women should not travel to Mauna Kea because of the decreased oxygen available .
We do not take children under 13 years of age because they have a much higher incidence of high altitude problems.
In addition persons whom are obese (Body mass index of 36 or over) BMI calculator should not make this trip.
Because of the long, bumpy road this trip might not be suitable for persons with back injury.
To go on our tour you will need a letter from your personal Physician saying that a trip to Mauna Kea presents no special risk to you. Please do not call our reservationists with a description of your problem. She is not a cardiologist. A call to 911 on Mauna Kea will take about 2 hours to respond.
Depends mostly on your genetics but if you are reasonably healthy you will probably feel a bit lightheaded and giddy or sleepy. A few people will feel nothing and a few people will have a bit of minor distress perhaps requiring oxygen. There are no after effects and because our stay at high level is fairly brief there is not much likelihood of more serious problems developing..
As for wildlife, the list is quite long. We see the following feral animals (domestic animals gone wild) frequently: pigs, goats, sheep, donkey, mongoose, cat. We see the following native animals species less frequently: Hawaiian Owl (Pueo), Hoary bat, Nene (goose), Palila, Apapane, I'O(hawk), Wekiu, Golden Plover. We also see many native plants. Along our route we can see Koa, Mamane, Naio, Puakeawe and Ohia trees.
Yes, Our tours are fully narrated in English. We have a high quality PA system in each van . Our guides have a wide variety of knowledge and special interest in the islands. We try to relate that information in a way that is fun, educational and appropriate to the group.
Sorry, At this time we do not have a Japanese speaking guide but you will find our guides very helpful. Most of our guides are familiar with the night sky in Japanese.
Many people do show their appreciation by tipping our hard working guides but it is not an obligation. $5-$10 per person is typical
We drive custom built Van Terra micro coaches. They are equipped with 4x4, air conditioning, stereo, PA, phone, first aid and oxygen, parkas and telescope. Each van can hold up to 13. They are the most comfortable vehicles available.
We are equipped with new Celestron CPC 1100 telescopes. They are equipped with Celestron's new Starbright XL coatings for 10% more light throughput than ordinary instruments. These scopes are computer automated and have spectacular optics. Because they are bigger and have better optics they gather about 100% more light than telescopes used on other tours.
We supply heavy duty arctic weight parkas with hoods. in men's sizes S-XXL. We also provide thick ski type gloves.
There are three meal choices:
Kho Chu Jang glazed Beef ribs (spicy sweet) Jasmine rice and a Namasu
(cucumber) salad (served hot)
Teriyaki glazed Chicken Jasmine rice and a special pineapple relish
(served hot)
Tofu and veggies in a spinach wrap with cream sauce and a Cranberry
Tabouleh salad (served
cold) note :can be made completely vegan
All meals come with a big homemade fudge brownie.
Drinks for supper are not provided but a wide selection is available for purchase at the visitor center.
Hot drinks and a tasty locally made shortbread cookie are provided during the stargazing portion of the trip.
Statistics show that Mauna Kea is clear enough for astronomy an average of 325 nights a year. This amounts to about 10% unfavorable weather. Most of the really nasty weather is quite predicable and in that situation we will cancel our tours as needed. The final determination for the weather is made 1:15 minutes prior to the Kailua pick-up. On average 1/15 of our trips is cancelled by weather. the months of August, September, January, February and March are the most unstable ; resulting in 80% of the cancellations for the year. The afternoon cloud build-up that is so typical of the Big Island is no reason for concern. Frequently the cloudy moist clouds down below actually signal a good inversion layer for perfect weather on Mauna Kea. The UKIRT telescope has a useful page on the web where you can see what the weather has been at any moment for the past few years.
We are quite lucky to operate on the worlds most wired mountain. We have several web cameras, live weather stats, logging and a full-time meteorologist that just prepares the forecast for the mountain. In addition to that we have the experience of 4000+ trips up the mountain. Can we be wrong? OF COURSE, WE CAN BE WRONG. Mauna Kea is a high mountain and like all high mountains it has a measure of unpredictable weather. If we make the trip your odds of encountering really ugly weather is about 1/30 according to our trip logs. We do not cancel our trips solely due to a few high clouds or a bit less than perfect stargazing conditions. We do cancel when we think that summit is likely to obscured, there is a low probability of a scenic experience, the conditions might be dangerous or when the road is closed.
We make the determination each day 1:15 minutes prior to our Buns in the Sun, Kailua pick-up. Our reservationists can give you the exact time. If the trip is to be cancelled, we will attempt to call everyone in their hotel rooms or cell phones to reschedule. You do not need to hang around your hotel room waiting for this call, go out and have some fun. However, If you are not in your hotel room at that time you should call in (322-2366) to reconfirm the trip from a pay phone. In order to make accurate weather decisions we will almost never cancel a trip early. Ultimately you are responsible for contacting us to reconfirm your tour status.
MKSA cannot guarantee fine weather (nor does any other tour in the world). We do however give our promise to stay informed and to cancel tours when it looks likely to be obscured or without scenic value. Our goal is a safe, scenic and informative trip. Occasionally if the sky is cloudy on top we will still get a great night of stargazing or vice versa.
Our reservationists is on duty from 8 A.M. - 6 P.M. Hawaii time x 7 days Kona Time
If you are in the USA please just call our toll free phone at 888-322-2366 a week or two in advance is sufficient.
If you are overseas you can call our office at 01-808-322-2366 or submit an online reservation request at http://www.maunakea.com/reservations.htm
If you are in the islands just call 808-322-2366
Almost 100% of our trips are sold out. If your exact day is important you should reserve at least 1 month prior. For Christmas maybe 3 months prior. Note: We only accept credit cards to secure reservations within two weeks of departure. If you make your reservation earlier than that you'll need to send a check or call us back to reconfirm with plastic within 2 weeks of departure. If you like we can send you an email reminder. Unsecured reservations are taken off the books 1 week prior to the trip.
We understand that events occur that might change your plans. However, our capacity is limited by State permit and most of our tours are fully booked. Please help us to serve our eager customers by giving ample warning when your plans change. Please make your cancellations directly with our reservation office 808-322-2366.
Parties up to 4 persons are fully (100%) refundable if made at least 24 hours prior to your pick-up . Parties of 5 or more persons are fully refundable at least 48 hours prior to pick-up.
Within 24 hours no refunds, no exceptions. Note if you are sick or in some other way detained please call us as soon as you think you might not make the trip. If you are unsure about finding your pick-up point or lost, please call our reservation office 322-2366 ASAP.