Picture of the Week

Welcome to MKVIS

Aloha! Welcome to the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station on Mauna Kea.

Open every day of the year from 9AM until 10PM at the 9,300 foot (2,800 meter) level, we provide health and safety information and education about this amazing place, and we hold Free stargazing programs at the Visitor Station every night. Check our Calendar of Events for upcoming outreach events and the Saturday program schedule.

Due to the hazards of altitude sickness, children under 16 should not venture above the Visitor Information Station AND those traveling in groups of 10 or more require an approved special request from the Visitor Information Station.

TRANSIT OF VENUS

The Transit of Venus begins in Hawaii at 12:10 p.m. on Tuesday, June 5th and ends at 6:44 p.m. Sunset is 6:57 p.m. The Transit can be seen from any location in Hawaii with a clear view of the sun and a solar filter to protect your eyes. The Visitor Information Station (VIS) on Mauna Kea will set up viewing sites on the east and west sides of the Island of Hawaii.

To protect the fragile environment, and because services on the summit are limited, the summit access road will be closed to public vehicular traffic at the VIS.

Access to the summit will be provided by a free shuttle service between the Visitor Information Station and Mauna Kea summit. Parking at the VIS is limited. Additional parking will be provided, however if parking space fills, vehicles will be stopped below the VIS until parking becomes available.

More information is available on our Transit of Venus page.