When you envision a trip to Hawaii, sweatshirts and hot chocolate aren’t usually the first images that come to mind. If you plan it right though, you can spend an afternoon on the local tropical beaches and then journey to the dormant volcano, Mauna Kea, for a cool, brisk evening of sunsets and stargazing.

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Mauna Kea (White Mountain) is one of five volcanoes that created the Big Island, and at its summit is the highest point in Hawaii. Poking its head out above its cloudy crown at 13,796 ft, it is considered by scientists possibly the best place in the world to stargaze and study astronomy. In fact, 13 telescopes, funded from nations around the world, find their home atop Mauna Kea’s perch. It is for this reason, that we added it to our “Cunningham Crew Must-Do” list, while here in Hawaii.

There are some things to take into consideration before journeying to Mauna Kea. First, check the phase of the moon. There are benefits to going during a full moon or a new moon, depending on what you want to see that night. If you want to view the Milky Way at its finest, the moon needs to be waning or preferably in its new moon phase. With less light in the sky, the stars are spectacular and the Milky Way is breathtaking! Also check the forecast for cloud coverage, wind, and precipitation. Next, plan your visit around the sunset, giving yourself plenty of travel time. You have to stop at the Visitor Information Station for 30 minutes to give your body time to adjust to the drastic change in elevation, as to avoid altitude sickness, before journeying to the summit. Finally, dress warm and bring snacks! I know, its difficult to leave 90 degree weather in jeans with sweatshirts in tow, but you’ll be thankful to have your blankets and coats when it’s 45 degrees outside a few hours later!

Planning accordingly, we brought blankets, chairs, chili in the crockpot, and hot chocolate! We arrived at the Visitor Center around 5:30pm, having just enough time to enjoy our dinner at one of the nearby picnic tables. Because some of our kids are under the recommended age (13 years old) to ascend to the summit, we instead decided to climb Sunset Hill (Pu’u Kalepeamoa), a nearby cinder cone with an elevation of 9,394 ft. The hike was perfect for our younger kids, but still offered an amazing vantage point for sunset watching. (It was also a little nerve wrecking, as Sam likes to hop and jump around, and my “mother imagination” kicks into high gear, conjuring up worst case scenarios!)

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Peering down to the Hawaiian countryside below, you would never guess you were on an island in the Pacific . The barren land and red rock beneath your feet is a far cry from the palm tree riddled coast. As the sun began to sink beneath the clouds, we took the opportunity for some photo ops and Gabe set up his GoPro to record the close of another day in paradise (literally).

As darkness began to creep in, overtaking the streaks of blues and fiery pinks, the shy twinkle of the first stars began to peek out. We settled into our camping chairs, bundled up in our blankets, and sipped on hot chocolate (marshmallows included) as we patiently waited for the light display to begin. Peace, quiet, and the cool night air enveloped us as Jupiter and Saturn eagerly greeted their friend, the night. Slowly, tiny glistening lights took their place in the black curtain above us, first by the tens… then hundreds…thousands…millions. And then, ever so gracefully, the Milky Way made its grand appearance, clothed in such splendor, that it can only be described as breathtaking!

Humbled and awe struck, I sat there, witnessing the magnificence and vastness of the creator of the heavens. How great is our God to have fashioned the stars, the galaxy, the universe, and all the secret wonders it holds, that we have yet to discover? How many times have I skimmed over Genesis 1 as creation of the heavens and the earth, the stars and the skies, and every living thing was spoken into being? Truly to have gazed upon the heavens as shooting stars streaked across the Milky Way, has once again reminded me of how great our god is, worthy to be praised!

The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.

1 Corinthians 15:41

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