Price from:
330 USD
Maunakea Summit & Stars Giveback Experience
*Join us for an inspiring journey to help give back to the endangered critical dry forests on the slopes of Maunakea. Before ascending to the highest peak in the Pacific for sunset & stargazing, take a moment as we collaborate with the non-profit Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative to help restore the native forest through native seed collection for future plantings to help create a self-sustaining native-dominate forest.*
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Highlights
- Depart earlier than our standard Mauna Kea Summit and Stars to make a stop at a rare and endangered native dry forest habitat.
- Participate in conservation work such as seed collection, while learning about The Waikoloa Dryforest Initiative and 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 Stellina digital telescope and share captured images of the Hawaiian night sky with your friends & family
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**Duration**
Around 9 to 10 hours.
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**Rated**
Easy to Moderate.
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**Schedule**
Afternoon trips depart daily from King Kamehameha Courtyard Marriott, Queen’s Marketplace in Waikoloa Beach Resort, and the Waikoloa Plaza in the Waikoloa Village.
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**What's Included**
Picnic-style dinner, filtered water, assorted teas, hot chocolate, and dessert. Warm dinner selections of Southwest Chicken Stew or Vegan Chili. Hot Chocolate and cookies are served for dessert.
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**Gear Provided**
We provide warm wear including, hooded parkas and gloves.
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**What to Bring & Wear**
Reusable water bottle, closed-toe shoes, long pants, and a sweatshirt or sweater.
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**Restrictions**
***Guests should be able to hike on uneven or rocky terrain.*** We sometimes encounter cool, wet, or muddy conditions. ***Because of altitude this tour is not advised for those with respiratory, circulatory, or heart conditions, pregnancy, or poor health.*** Scuba divers should be aware of altitude dangers. No children under 13. ***Weather changes can occur quickly, and the access road to the summit can close without warning; therefore we cannot guarantee access to the summit or favorable conditions.*** Other tour restrictions may apply.
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FAQs
**What kind of telescope is used for star gazing?**
We utilize an 11” Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. We also use a Stellina digital telescope to view & take photographs of deep space objects that will be emailed to you to keep & share.
**What is the guide to guest ratio?**
Our maximum guide-to-guest ratio is 1:12
**Do we operate the tour every night?**
We operate this tour once per week on designated evenings
**Are children allowed on this tour?**
Children under 13 are not permitted on this tour
**Is there much walking/hiking on this tour?**
There is approximately half a mile of walking on uneven and rocky terrain for this tour, mostly at the Dry Forest; rated easy
**Will I able to hike & explore the summit on my own?**
Unfortunately, due to safety & permitting restrictions, guests are unable to explore the summit before sunset on their own. Our guests will need to stay near our guides & vehicles while on the tour
**I would like to see a specific astronomical event from the summit. How can I arrange this?**
Check out www.space.com for upcoming astronomical events, and whether they will be observable in the Hawaiian sky
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Cancellation Policy
- Guests will receive a full refund with 24 hours' notice of cancellation.
- Private tours: Customers will receive a full refund with 72 hours notice of cancellation.
**Cancellations within the cancellation period and “no-shows” will be charged the FULL AMOUNT of the tour.**
Booking Notes
#Maunakea Summit & Stars Giveback Experience
##*Join us for an inspiring journey to help give back to the endangered critical dry forests on the slopes of Maunakea. Before ascending to the highest peak in the Pacific for sunset & stargazing, take a moment as we collaborate with the non-profit Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative to help restore the native forest through native seed collection for future plantings to help create a self-sustaining native-dominate forest.*
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##Highlights
- Help restore the critical dry forest on the slopes of Maunakea
- Enjoy a warm picnic dinner
- Your guide will share historical accounts of early travelers through the mountain lands
- Delight in the awe-inspiring sunset over the Pacific
- Sip hot chocolate during your private star show with an 11” Celestron telescope
- A portion of the proceeds will be donated directly to the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative
- 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
______
**Duration**
Around 9 to 10 hours.
______
**Rated**
Easy to Moderate.
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**Schedule**
Afternoon trips depart daily from King Kamehameha Courtyard Marriott, Queen’s Marketplace in Waikoloa Beach Resort, and Waikoloa Plaza in Waikoloa Village.*If you choose to park at the King Kamehameha Courtyard Marriott in Kona we will provide a special parking validation to reduce the parking fee to $10.00. The parking fee is paid directly to the hotel when you retrieve your vehicle at the end of the tour.*
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**Dinner Included**
Picnic-style dinner, assorted teas, hot chocolate, and dessert. Warm dinner selections include a choice of Southwest Chicken Stew or Vegetarian Chili (gluten-free, vegan). Hot Chocolate and cookies are served for dessert.
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**Gear Provided**
We provide warm wear including, hooded parkas and gloves.
______
**What to Bring & Wear**
The Dry Forest can be hot and sunny, while the summit is cold and windy, dress in layers for temperatures varying from highs of 80 Degrees F to lows of 25 degrees F.
Reusable water bottle, closed-toe shoes, and long pants are required.
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**Restrictions**
We sometimes encounter cold, wet, or muddy conditions. Due to the high altitude, this tour is not suitable for those with respiratory, circulatory or heart conditions, pregnancy, or poor health.
If you plan to scuba dive, do not plan to go to the summit within 24 hours after you dive due to the altitude.
No children under 13. Other tour restrictions may apply.
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##FAQs
**What kind of telescope is used for stargazing?**
>We utilize an 11” Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. We also use a state-of-the-art digital telescope to view & take photographs of deep space objects that will be emailed to you to keep & share.
**What is the guide to guest ratio?**
>Our maximum guide-to-guest ratio is 1:12
**Do we operate the tour every night?**
>We operate this tour once per week on designated evenings
**Are children allowed on this tour?**
>Children under 13 are not permitted on this tour
**Is there much walking/hiking on this tour?**
>There is minimal walking on this tour. The maximum being up to half a mile on Wednesday’s on our Giveback Experience at the dry forest.
Please note we are unable to accommodate any guests with a collapsible wheelchair.
All guests must be able to enter and exit our vehicles on their own, as well as walk comfortably on uneven terrain with limited lighting on their own.
**Will I able to hike & explore the summit on my own?**
>Unfortunately, due to safety & permitting restrictions, guests are unable to explore the summit before sunset on their own. Our guests will need to stay near our guides & vehicles while on the tour
**I would like to see a specific astronomical event from the summit. How can I arrange this?**
>Check out www.space.com for upcoming astronomical events, and whether they will be observable in the Hawaiian sky
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##Cancellation Policy
- Guests will receive a full refund with 24 hours' notice of cancellation.
- Private tours: Customers will receive a full refund with 72 hours notice of cancellation.
**Cancellations within the cancellation period and “no-shows” will be charged the FULL AMOUNT of the tour.**
