KapohoKine Adventures – Maunakea Stellar Explorer (From Hilo)

Spend the day exploring Hilo’s waterfalls and lava terrain, then finish beneath the dark skies of Mauna Kea. The route begins along Hilo’s waterfront before heading to Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots, where the Wailuku River cuts through volcanic rock and creates some of the east side’s most recognizable scenery.

From there, visit Kaumana Caves and step into part of the lava tube system formed during the 1881 flow near Hilo. After exploring the caves, enjoy a picnic-style meal before continuing across Saddle Road between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

During the afternoon, your guide shares details about the island’s volcanology, geology, history, native plants and wildlife. A solar telescope is also used for safe daytime viewing of the sun, with the chance to see sunspots, solar flares and other activity when weather allows.

After dark, the tour reaches a preferred stargazing location on Mauna Kea. Using a Dobsonian telescope, you may see planets, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, double stars or the moon depending on the night. Finish with Kona coffee or hot chocolate before returning to Hilo.

Tour Highlights

• Visit Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots
• Explore Kaumana Caves near Hilo
• Travel Saddle Road between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa
• View the sun safely through a solar telescope
• Learn about Big Island geology, volcanology, history, plants and wildlife
• Stargaze from a preferred Mauna Kea location after dark
• Use a Dobsonian telescope to view deep-sky and planetary objects

Tour Inclusions

• Picnic style dinner
• Coffee or hot chocolate
• Warm jackets provided
• Use of Dobsonian telescope

Note: This tour does not visit the Maunakea summit out of deference and honor to Native Hawaiian concerns. It also does not go up to the Visitors Center.