Poli'ahu keeps her home on the summit of Maunakea. Draped in her snowy white mantle, she is the Hawaiian deity whose 'kinolau' (physical manifestations) are the snows of Maunakea, Maunaloa, Hualalai, and Haleakala. Shop First Light Bookstore for our exclusive Poli'ahu T-shirt and other Maunakea gear.

Road closures typically occur during winter months due to ice or snow on the road and occasionally for high wind situations. Specific road closure criteria are listed below:

Reported at Maunakea Summit. Data updated every 5 minutes, refresh the page for the most current.

Welcome to MKVIS

MAUNAKEA VISITOR INFORMATION STATION

The Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station is located on the Maunakea Access Road at 19°45'33"N Latitude and 155°27′22″W Longitude.

The Maunakea Visitor Information Station will suspend operations starting Sunday, March 15 at 6:00 pm

in response to the COVID-19 situation.

The move is being made as a health and safety measure as many other operations around the state and the world are conducting similar closures. We understand that the Visitor Information Center is helpful to those who visit Maunakea; however, we want to be prudent for the welfare of our visitors and our staff during this extraordinary time. We appreciate the understanding of the public.

The parking lot and portable toilets remain available 24/7. While the mountain remains open to the public, officials encourage everyone to follow health department recommendations on social distancing and protection.

VIS administrators will continue to meet and discuss the latest developments to determine when operations should resume.

Normally open 7 days a week from 9:00am until 6:00pm at the 9,200 foot (2,800 meter) level, we provide health and safety information and education about Maunakea.

Due to the hazards of altitude sickness, pregnant women, persons in poor health, and children under 13 should NOT venture above the Visitor Information Station. Drivers are cautioned to use 4-wheel drive vehicles above the VIS because the road to the summit is unpaved, rough, and quite steep. Those traveling to the summit should always use 4WD Low Range to reduce brake failure and overheating.

Summit Access Road conditions: Maunakea weather varies widely and sometimes very quickly. The latest road and weather information, as well as road closure criteria, are available at the "Current Summit & Road Conditions" section on the right side of this page, or go to the "Road Conditions" section of the Maunakea Weather Center website; 935-6268 for a recorded phone message (updated as conditions change). Maunakea weather varies widely and sometimes very quickly. The latest, as well as road closure criteria, are available at the "Current Summit & Road Conditions" section on the right side of this page, or go to the "Road Conditions" section of the Maunakea Weather Center website; http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/ or callfor a recorded phone message (updated as conditions change).