Visitor Information
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
VIS Phone: (808) 934-4550
Here are some things to consider before coming up to play in the snow:
In order to keep both the public and our precious Maunakea safe we encourage everyone to read the following guidelines.
We strongly discourage children under 13 from going higher than the Visitor Information Station. (Booster seats are required if you do decide to risk the ascent w children. They have a much higher risk of developing cerebral edema and/or pulmonary edema due to the extreme elevation gain.)
4 wheel drive is required above the Visitor Information Station
Make sure your car is clean and you have a full tank of gas. (Clean cars are required because of concerns about invasive insects and seeds reaching the delicate ecosystem on the summit)··
Rangers providing safety briefing for hikers
All visitors should follow Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules, Title 20, entitled "Public and Commercial Activities on Mauna Kea Lands," when visiting Maunakea.
The ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center is located just down the street from CMS offices. ‘Imiloa is a gathering place that advances the integration of science and indigenous culture with a world-class stereoscopic 3D planetarium, visitor center, and Sky Garden restaurant. It is open Tuesdays - Sundays (closed Mondays).
The Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station (VIS) on Maunakea is open every day of the year from 9am to 9pm at the 9,200 foot (2,804 meter) level. They provide health, safety, and other information about Maunakea.
Please view the public safety page before going up to Maunakea to understand the risks associated with high elevation. The Maunakea: Heritage and Natural Resources Guide shares additional information about Maunakea.
View of Visitor Information Station and Halepōhaku Mid-level facilities from above
Experience University of Hawaiʻi managed lands on Maunakea from anywhere with this flyover 3D-perspective animation.
Perspective Maps of Maunakea
Each map is linked to a high-resolution .jpg image file.
Halepōhaku
Astronomy Precinct
Looking north from Maunaloa towards Maunakea
