UPDATED 2021: Description of activity subject to change without notice due to new limitations and updated capacities. Thank you.

Schedule:

• Availability: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (Closed Tuesday)
• Tour Time: 3:00 PM
  
• Duration: 6 Hours (approx.)

For an out-of-this-world experience, check out Maunakea Stellar Explorer from KapohoKine Adventures. This thrilling adventure is the only Big Island star tour to feature nighttime astronomical observing AND safe daytime solar viewing with all ages welcome! Our in-house stellar explorers are the best and most experienced in Hawaii with one having created the Mauna Kea Visitor’s Center and operated it for a decade. Others on staff have written noted articles and reviews for well-known astronomy magazines and have worked at world-class observatories.

The adventure starts with dinner. After dinner your guide will start setting up a state of the art solar telescope for your viewing pleasure, your specially trained guide will let you safely watch the sun come alive in true color with vibrant solar flares, sunspots, prominences and any other current activity weather permitting. Next, you’ll travel across Saddle Road between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, two of the tallest and most massive volcanoes on Earth. Your National Park Service trained guide will discuss the volcanology, geology, and history of these monstrous wonders, as well as providing in-depth narration on the various lava flows and flora and fauna that you’ll be passing by. Lastly, your guide will take you to one of our preferred locations on Mauna Kea for nighttime stargazing. You’ll observe deep sky and planetary objects through a large aperture Dobsonian telescope under one of the darkest and most pristine skies on planet Earth!

Our Dobsonian telescopes are a true purist’s experience to view the night sky. Their fast focal ratio enables you to see sprawling wide field views of objects that simply aren’t possible with the types of telescopes used by other tours. Depending on what is visible in the current sky and weather permitting, you’ll observe galaxies, nebula, star clusters, planets, double star systems, the moon, and much more; all the highlights and showpiece objects like you’ve never seen before! Afterwards, warm up with 100% Kona coffee or hot chocolate before returning to your resort.

This tour does not visit Maunakea’s summit out of deference to Native Hawaiian concerns.

Includes:

• Dinner
• Warm jackets provided

Restrictions/Requirements:

• Participants must be at least 5 years old.
• All children under 7 are required to be in a car seat.
• Tour runs rain or shine.
• All participants must complete electronic waivers prior to participation.

Special Notes:

• Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled pick-up time.
• Pickup from Hilo hotels is not offered on Kona tours.
• A booster seat or car seat depending on size and weight of the child will be provided.

Please select your meal option:

• Fish Tacos: Two Corn Tacos with Fresh Ono (wahoo) marinated in our special Cajun seasoning! Topped with Lettuce, Tomato, Mozzarella and drizzled with our famous “Ahktion Sauce”.
  -Served with freshly fried tortilla chips and a side of sour cream and salsa
• Fish & Chips: Fresh Ono (Wahoo)!
  Choose your batter style: Panko (Japanese Bread Crumbs), Beer Batter, or Half/Half
• Butter Garlic Shrimp Plate: 5 Jumbo Shrimp sautéed with our homemade Butter Garlic Sauce.
  -Served with your choice of White Rice or Garden Salad
• Kalua Pork Plate: Fresh homemade Kalua Pork (Smoked and Shredded Pork).
  -Served with your choice of White Rice or Garden Salad
• Veggie Burger: Grilled Veggie Patty served on a Whole Wheat Bun with Lettuce, Tomato, and Onion
  -Served with your choice of French Fries or Garden Salad

Itinerary:

Kona Area:

• Depart Kona – 3:30 PM
• Mauka Meadows – 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM (dinner/coffee/solar)
• Saddle sights – 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
• Stars – 8:00 PM  – 9:30 PM (hot coffee/chocolate/dessert)
• Return Kona – 10:15 PM

Kohala Area:

• Depart Kohala – 3:20 PM
• Mauka Meadows – 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM (dinner/coffee/solar)
• Saddle sights – 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
• Stars – 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM (hot coffee/chocolate/dessert)
• Return Kohala – 10:00 PM

The order of the itinerary may change. Tour runs rain or shine.