Kamaʻāina Observatory Experience
The Maunakea Observatories and NOIRLab have welcomed back the Kamaʻāina Observatory Experience (KOE), a free all-inclusive tour program to the telescopes at the summit of Maunakea on Hawaiʻi Island. On the first Saturday of each month (excluding December and January due to winter weather), kamaʻāina are invited to experience Hawaiʻi Astronomy and our world-class facilities as well as share in the cultural significance of Maunakea and Native Hawaiian protocol for entering into sacred space. Breakfast and lunch at Hale Pōhaku are provided. Transportation from the Visitor Information Station at 9,200 ft. to the summit of Maunakea is provided. KOE tours are limited to 12 to 14 guests at a time dependent on the telescope visited that month. If tour dates are full below, you are welcome to add your name to this waitlist.
This program is open to kamaʻāina (defined here as Hawaiʻi residents) only. Proof of residency in the form of a Hawaiʻi State ID or Driver’s Licence must be provided for all guests over 18 years of age. Minors under 13 years are not permitted on the tours. Minors 13 to 17 are required to be accompanied by an adult. Pets are not allowed including support animals. Drone flights are not allowed
The summit area of Maunakea is located at 13,825 feet above sea level, so it is vitally important that visitors be aware of their physical condition. At this elevation, altitude sickness can occur. Please consider personal health issues that could arise from being at altitude or walking at this elevation, such as: decreased lung capacity, cardiac issues, or other altitude related issues. Time spent at altitude may also aggravate pre-existing illness, particularly cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. If you have health concerns or a pre-existing condition which could be affected by altitude, consult with your doctor prior to your visit and bring your concerns to the attention of AURA/NOIRLab staff hosting your visit to the summit. We do not recommend that anyone pregnant or anyone who has been scuba diving 24 hours prior visit the summit of Maunakea.
Maunakea is cold and dry. Please wear appropriate warm clothing and close toed shoes. Bring a refillable water bottle and snack.
During the reservation process we will ask you to comply with our Safety and Liability Rules. Please consult them in advance here:
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KOE Agenda
Each month a different Maunakea Observatory is visited and so each experience is a little different. Please see the agenda below for a general outline of what KOE includes:
- 8:00 am – Meet guests at Maunakea Visitors Information Station (VIS)
- 8:10 am – Walk guests to the silversword enclosure for optional protocol
- 8:30 am – Tour van provided by Super Vacations Hawai'i transports guests from VIS to Hale Pōhaku
- 9:00 am – Orientation, safety, science and cultural presentations with breakfast provided
- 10:30 am – Depart for summit area
- 11:00 am – Arrive at telescope facility and begin guided tour
- 12:00 pm – Tour concludes, transport guests back to Hale Pōhaku
- 12:30 pm – Lunch at HP
- 1:30 pm – Transport guests back to the VIS
- 1:45 pm - Pau!
How to Sign Up for KOE
- KOE dates open for registration one month before the tour date. For example, the March 1st tour date will open for registration on February 1st at 8am HST.
- Select your desired tour date below and complete the Reservation Form asap or at least one week in advance of your desired date.
- The sites you are visiting are active worksites so please accept the Safety, Liability and Code of Conduct rules and recommendations provided in the Form.
- Once you have submitted the form, you will receive an automated email informing you that we have received your booking; if you do not receive this notification please check your spam folder.
- If your desired tour date is full you may try again for next month or fill out this google form to be added to our waitlist. Please read the instructions of the waitlist carefully.
- Please note that every effort will be made to follow through with your planned visit; however, certain circumstances may prevent us from being able to conduct the visit as planned. It is advisable to have a plan B, in case the visit is canceled. This can occur if the site becomes inaccessible due to weather (especially during winter months), earthquake, or if there is an unplanned engineering event etc. If we need to cancel the visit we will let you know by e-mail or by phone as soon as we become aware of the potential issue.
- Finally, we ask that anyone who attends a KOE tour please wait until the next calendar year before signing up for KOE again.