Summit to Crater: Astronomy on the Big Island
University of Hawai’i Mānoa SPS students take a selfie on Mauna Kea while touring a telescope.
Photo by Lio Tay.
After huddling in the Honolulu airport in anticipation, our group of SPS members from University of Hawai’i (UH) Mānoa boarded a 40-minute morning flight to Hilo, which is on the Big Island. From the air we could spot one of the great telescopes perched atop Mauna Kea—a glimpse of what awaited us.
Once we landed, we were joined by a faculty advisor, along with graduate students Luke Benavitz and Sage Constantinou from the Institute for Astronomy (IfA). They picked us up from the airport, and together we began the scenic drive up the mountain to Hale Pōhaku, the midlevel facility for those working on Mauna Kea’s observatories. There, we had lunch together under the bright sun. The air was crisp, the sky crys- tal clear, and the silence of the mountain made the place feel almost otherworldly—as if we were standing in heaven itself.
Hale Pōhaku, located at 9,200 feet above sea level, helps visitors acclimate to the high altitude of Mauna Kea’s summit, which rises to an astonishing 13,796 feet. After resting, we were joined by the director of the IfA and Mary Beth Laychak, internship coordinator for Maunakea Observatories. Together, we caravanned to the summit, beginning our tour at the W. M. Keck Observatory, home to the Keck I and II 10-meter telescopes. Standing inside the massive dome was awe-inspiring.
Next, we visited NASA’s Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF), where astronomers were actively observing Jupiter. The IfA director explained how IRTF operates and shared its history before we went inside the dome to see the telescope up close. Finally, we saw CFHT, the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope. Mary Beth guided us through the facility and shared stories about its operations before we headed back down to Hale Pōhaku. After dinner we returned to the summit to watch the sunset from Mauna Kea, a breathtaking sight with a view of the sky painted in surreal colors.
A view of the sunset from atop Mauna Kea, one of the tallest mountains in the world.
Photo by Sage Constantinou.
The following day, we departed Mauna Kea and stopped for a short hike before visiting IfA Hilo, where we received a tour of the facility and saw ongoing research. We then headed to the UH Hilo Department of Physics and Astronomy, where we met several faculty members and learned about the program. Afterward, we made our way to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, home to Kīlauea—the most active volcano in the Hawaiian Islands. While there we explored various trails, including the Nāhuku Lava Tube, a giant underground tunnel formed by ancient lava flows. After sunset we saw the glowing lava inside the Halema‘uma‘u crater lighting up the night sky.
On our final day, we hiked the Kīlauea Iki Trail, explored downtown Hilo, and visited the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, which beautifully blends Hawaiian culture and modern astronomy. As we flew back to Honolulu, we caught sight of the Haleakalā Observatory’s domes on Maui from the plane window—a fitting farewell to an unforgettable trip.
Sharing this journey with fellow physics and astronomy students, faculty, and alumni was an incredible experience. For many of us, especially the seniors graduating soon after, it was a meaningful final adventure together. We’ll always treasure the memories of this trip and hope to return to Mauna Kea again.
