Maunakea Sunset Stargazing & Dry Forest Conservation Tour
Help restore a native forest before sunset and stars on Maunakea
Duration
9–10 hrs
Includes
Dinner, warm gear, stargazing
Highlights
Join a giveback journey from Maunakea's dry forest slopes to the summit. Support native habitat restoration, then take in sunset views and telescope observing after dark.
- Collect native seeds for future forest plantings
- Learn how the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative revitalizes critical habitat
- Watch the sunset from Maunakea's summit
- Observe deep-space objects through high-powered and digital telescopes
- Receive digital telescope images by email to share
Itinerary
- Visit a rare and endangered native dry forest habitat before you head to Maunakea.
- Participate in conservation work such as seed collection, while learning about The Waikoloa Dryforest Initiative. You will learn how they are revitalizing a Hawaiian critical habitat.
- $20.00 of the ticket price from each guest is donated to the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative to perpetuate their conservation work.
- Enjoy a warm picnic dinner.
- Delight in the awe-inspiring Hawaiian sunset at the top of Maunakea, the highest point in the Pacific
- Sip hot chocolate during a private star show with our high-powered telescope
- View deep space objects with our state-of-the-art digital telescope and share captured images of the Hawaiian night sky with your friends & family
Important Please note that this tour has a late return time, be sure to have return transportation confirmed and scheduled from your designated pick-up location
What's Included
- Picnic-style dinner
- Assorted teas, hot chocolate, and dessert
- Hooded parkas and gloves
Important details
- Ages 13+ only
- Requires approximately half a mile of walking on uneven or rocky terrain
- Requires entering and exiting vehicles independently and walking on uneven terrain with limited lighting
- Not suitable during pregnancy or for respiratory, circulatory, or heart conditions or poor health due to high altitude
- No summit visit within 24 hours of scuba diving due to altitude risks
- Bring a reusable water bottle, closed-toe shoes, long pants, and a sweatshirt or sweater; dress in layers for temperatures from 80°F to 25°F
- Present the credit card used for the booking and matching photo ID on arrival; the names must match the booking contact, and staff retain a copy for fraud prevention
- Stay near the guides and vehicles at the summit; independent summit exploration before sunset is not permitted
- Expect summit access to depend on weather and road conditions, which can change quickly
- Parking at King Kamehameha Courtyard Marriott costs $10 with validation and is paid directly to the hotel when retrieving your vehicle
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before start. Late cancellations and no-shows are charged in full.
Product ID: HGAYH5
FAQs
Bring a reusable water bottle and wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. Dress in layers for changing conditions from hot and sunny at the Dry Forest to cold and windy at the summit; a sweatshirt or sweater is recommended. Warm wear (hooded parkas and gloves) is provided.
Plan for up to about half a mile of walking on uneven, rocky terrain, mostly at the Dry Forest. You should be able to hike on uneven terrain, sometimes in cool, wet, or muddy conditions.
Due to the high altitude, this experience is not advised if you have respiratory, circulatory, or heart conditions, are pregnant, or are in poor health. If you scuba dive, do not go to the summit within 24 hours after diving.
