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Author
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Topic: Space sights in Hawaii (Onizuka, Manua Kea)
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KSCartist
Member Posts: 3022
From: Titusville, FL
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 01-20-2009 10:12 AM
   
My wife and I took a trip to Hawaii in celebration of our 30th wedding anniversary. Here are a few space-related photos.One of our first stops was to visit the National Cemetery of the Pacific a.k.a. Punchbowl Cemetery. It's called that because it is located inside of a long dormant almost perfectly round volcano. Since we were in a commercial vehicle (a tour bus), we were only allowed to do a slow drive by. Ellison Onizuka is buried next to WWII correspondent Ernie Pyle. The other photos are of Mauna Kea. "White Mountain" on the Big Island of Hawaii is home to 12 observatories including Keck 1 and Keck 2. Literally breathtaking at 13,400 feet.  
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Rizz
Member Posts: 1208
From: Upcountry, Maui, Hawaii
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 01-20-2009 11:53 AM
Nice shots Tim.Did you get a chance to visit the Onizuka Space Center, at the Kona Airport? Not quite as elaborate as the Kennedy Space Center, but some cool artifacts. I believe Ellison's sister works there. Looks like you were enjoying our 'tropical winter weather' lol |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 3022
From: Titusville, FL
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 01-20-2009 12:35 PM
No I sure didn't but it's on my list for when we go back.Mahalo on a beautiful state! |
KAPTEC
Member Posts: 618
From: Madrid, Spain
Registered: Oct 2005
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posted 01-26-2009 07:45 AM
I'm jealous of your travel. Hawaii is one of my pendings journeys... but I live too far away! Very nice pics Tim. |
JBoe
Member Posts: 992
From: Edgewater, MD
Registered: Oct 2012
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posted 08-14-2015 03:37 AM
I have a trip scheduled in the next two weeks, is there any other landmarks/sights not mentioned in these previous posts? This is great information! |
mode1charlie
Member Posts: 1341
From: Honolulu, HI
Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 08-14-2015 03:03 PM
There's also the HI-SEAS Mars analogue simulation site, on the slopes of Mauna Loa. It is a closed, active site (in fact a new crew is starting a 360 day mission in the next few weeks) but you will be able to see it from the Saddle Road linking Hilo to the Kona coast.Unfortunately, you may have trouble accessing the summit of Maunakea, as there are ongoing protests by some in the Native Hawaiian community over the planned construction of the Thirty-Meter Telescope. Finally, there is a plaque commemorating the arrival of the Apollo 8 crew somewhere at Hickam AFB. But I checked with some of my friends there, and the area where that is located is closed to the public. |
JBoe
Member Posts: 992
From: Edgewater, MD
Registered: Oct 2012
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posted 08-30-2015 02:57 PM
Thanks again, that was very helpful!As an update, I returned from my business trip and unfortunately, I didn't get to the big island and was on Oahu only. I didn't get to Hickam AFB, but got to go to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and Ford Island. |
Gordon Eliot Reade
Member Posts: 152
From: Palo Alto, Calif.
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 07-05-2022 10:21 AM
Has anyone here visited the Mauna Kea Observatories? If so what was your experience? How much could you see? How was the drive up the mountain? Thank you. Editor's note: Threads merged. |
David C
Member Posts: 1353
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 07-05-2022 03:28 PM
I was there in 2018 and it was fantastic. It's not essential (judging by the cars some of the staff had parked at the top), but I’d strongly recommend an AWD vehicle. The last part of the drive is sporty (from not far above the visitor’s center). Harpers near Kona Airport were the only guys on the island who'd do rentals for that. They are super careful and video their cars before they release them. The top is what I imagine being on Mars is like. Mauna Loa is also worth a visit. Stories were that the road was dreadful, but it had just been re-surfaced so it was fine. It's closed to public vehicles above the research station. It's a long walk to the top from there, I didn't allow enough time. I'd like to go back one day. Be very careful if you go off the track. The domes can be lethal. They're fragile, and if one collapses it can cut you in half. |
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