Milky Way at Maunakea

The Milky Way rises over Maunakea in this shot I captured from the Maunakea Visitor Information Station on July 8th, 2021. Far above the clouds at 9,200 feet, I didn’t have to worry about nearby cities or the moon obstructing my view of the stars. And as you can see, the view was incredible.

When I was planning my trip I was really looking forward to visiting the summit, where multiple international observatories are located. At close to 14,000 feet, it would be the *perfect* place to watch the sunset and stars rise. But as I did more reading and learned about the cultural significance of Maunakea - the “white mountain” that is the center of creation - the more I realized I did not need to visit the summit. I’m not an astronomer, nor am I Hawaiian. I had no real need to visit the summit. As a traveler visiting a place others call home, it was my obligation to know, respect, and protect local beliefs and customs.

I did not visit the summit - and I could not be happier that I didn’t. The MKVIS was a beautiful place, and although I cannot fully grasp the sacred history of Maunakea, I can at least appreciate why it is loved so dearly in Hawai’i. And I hope you do, too.