Maunakea

Summit sunsets above the clouds and a night sky used by major observatories, reached by a high, cold road on Hawaii's Big Island.

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Maunakea is a dormant volcano on Hawaii Island, the largest island in the US state of Hawaii. Its summit rises to 13,796 feet (4,205 meters) above sea level. Most visitors come for the sunset above the cloud line and the night sky, which is clear enough that several major observatories operate on the summit.

Maunakea is sacred to Native Hawaiians, so follow the rules for the summit area and leave rocks and stone cairns (ahu) where they are. The top is cold and the air is thin. Expect temperature drops and altitude symptoms such as headache and shortness of breath, and go only if you can handle those conditions. The upper road needs four-wheel drive, so check your rental agreement first. Set aside a full afternoon and evening, since the sunset and stargazing are the reasons to go.

Maunakea in five

Decide between a tour and the visitor stationGuided tours take you to the summit and handle the altitude and the road. Driving yourself usually stops at the visitor station near 9,200 ft (2,800 m), which is high enough for stars.Hawaii, the Big Island
Check your rental car contractThe road above the visitor station is steep and rough, and rental agreements often forbid driving it. Confirm the terms before you plan a summit drive in your own car.
Take altitude warnings seriouslyThe summit is above 13,000 ft. Children, pregnant visitors and people with heart or breathing problems are advised not to go up. Do not fly or scuba dive within 24 hours.
Dress for sub-freezing temperaturesIt can be near or below freezing at the summit even when Hilo is warm. Bring a warm jacket, hat and gloves, and expect strong wind and no fuel or food at the top.
Treat the mountain as sacredMaunakea is sacred in Native Hawaiian culture and the summit is under active stewardship. Follow the rules, stay on marked areas and never take rocks.Hilo

Things to do in Maunakea

See all attractions in Maunakea

Sight · MaunakeaW. M. Keck Observatory

Lake · MaunakeaLake Waiau

Sight · MaunakeaSubaru TelescopeReserve a tour ahead of your visit and check road status, as the route can close.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to MaunakeaPut the places you like in Maunakea on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Elevation: 13,796 ft (4,205 m); visitor station near 9,200 ft (2,800 m)
Entrance: Free to the visitor station; summit tours are priced by operators
Season: Open all year; snow or wind can close the summit road, check conditions
Nearest town: Hilo, about 1 hour; Waimea and Kailua-Kona about 1.5 hours
Getting there: Drive Saddle Road from Hilo or Kona; or join a guided tour from the coast

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good

JanuaryRain16 rainy daysHigh23°Low18°Snow possible
FebruaryRain20 rainy daysHigh23°Low18°Snow, wind
MarchRain24 rainy daysHigh23°Low18°Snow possible
AprilRain24 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°Clear, cold
MayRain27 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°Clear, cold
JuneRain24 rainy daysHigh24°Low20°Dry, cold
JulyRain26 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Dry, cold
AugustRain25 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Dry, cold
SeptemberRain25 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Clear, cold
OctoberRain23 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Clear, cold
NovemberRain23 rainy daysHigh24°Low20°Wet, cold
DecemberRain22 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°Snow possible

Average daily high and low in Maunakea summit, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Maunakea

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 10°
Humidity: 88%
Wind: 27 km/h
Chance of rain: 20%

Maunakea

10:36 AM

Monday, November 2

GMT-10

Today8°2°20%Monday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 20%.
Tue8°1°94%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 94%.
Wed8°0°10%Wednesday: Fog. High 8°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 10%.
Thu8°-1°16%Thursday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 16%.
Fri8°0°49%Friday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 49%.
Sat8°2°61%Saturday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 61%.

Updated 10:13 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD

Amount

Converted to

USD · US Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Maunakea

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

Mar–AprMerrie Monarch FestivalHilo, a day trip

Day trips by train

Before you go to Maunakea

Summit and stargazing toursTransport, gear and guide includedCompare tours

Car from Hilo or KonaSaddle Road to the visitor stationCompare cars

eSIM for the USAData on landing, no SIM swapRead the guide

Travel insurance for the USMedical cover for visitorsRead the guide

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Rules for Maunakea, checked

Visa Waiver travelers need an approved ESTA before flying to Hawaii. Apply only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov, and check your passport validity.Source
Declare fresh fruit, plants, seeds, soil and animal products on arrival. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture inspects and can fine undeclared items.Source
The upper Maunakea access road needs four-wheel drive, and some rental car contracts ban it. Read your rental agreement before you drive up.
Maunakea is sacred to Native Hawaiians. Do not take, move or stack rocks, and do not build or knock down stone cairns (ahu).

Plan around Maunakea

Hawaii the Big Island

Volcanoes, Kona and Hilo in one island plan

Read the guide Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Lava landscapes an hour from Hilo

Read the guide Hilo

The nearest town, rain and waterfalls

Read the guide Maui

Haleakalā is the other summit above the clouds

Read the guide All of the USA

States, parks and cities in one planning hub

Read the guide Travel insurance

Medical cover for a US trip

Read the guide

Maunakea FAQ

Can you drive to the top of Maunakea yourself?

Many people do not. The road above the visitor station is steep and rough and often needs a high-clearance 4WD, which rental agreements commonly forbid. Check the official guidance, or join a guided tour.

Is Maunakea worth it for stargazing?

Yes, the skies are among the clearest anywhere, and the visitor station is high enough to see the Milky Way on a clear night. Go on a clear forecast and dress for freezing temperatures.

How cold is it at the top of Maunakea?

Often near or below freezing, with strong wind, even when the coast is warm. Bring a warm jacket, hat, gloves and closed shoes, and plan for snow in winter.

Is Maunakea or Haleakalā better for sunrise and stars?

Maunakea is higher and darker, with a stronger stargazing reputation. Haleakalā is easier to reach from Maui resorts and good for sunrise. Pick the island first, then the summit.

Is there a fee to visit Maunakea?

Visiting the visitor station is free, and tours charge their own prices. Check the official visitor information before you go, since access rules can change.