Special Requests & Group Visits
Groups of over 10 people wishing to visit Mauna Kea are required to fill out a Special Request Form prior to their visit.
We request that Special Request Forms be submitted for approval at least one month prior to your visit. If your special request is approved, you will be sent a confirmation of your approved form with an identification number for your visit. Special Requests are required for the following groups:
- Educational Institutions (e.g., high schools, universities, charter schools)
- Community Service Groups
- Groups associated with cultural history, natural history, or astronomy.
DAYTIME, SUNSET AND STARGAZING VISITS TO THE SUMMIT FOR ADULT GROUPS OF 10 OR MORE
A special use request must be submitted and approved by the Visitor Information Station.
If there are any individuals under the age of 16 in the group, they will not be allowed to accompany the group to the summit. Anyone under 18 who is left at the Visitor Information Station while the rest of the group continues on to the summit must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
The group must submit a $1 million liability policy, unless transportation is provided by a permitted Mauna Kea tour operator.
The group must have someone who is certified to provide first aid.
All members of the group must acclimate for at least 30 minutes at the Visitor Information Station at the 9,200 foot elevation.
Members of the group must stay together. In the event someone feels ill or becomes ill all members of the group must depart the summit, unless the group has additional vehicles that can provide transportation off the summit to the remaining members of the group. Anyone under the age of 18 who is transported to a lower elevation, including the Visitor Information Station, must be accompanied at all times by an adult.
If the group is providing its own transportation they must use a 4-wheel drive vehicle and the drivers must have experience and know how to drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle. If they are renting 4-wheel drive vehicles from a rental car agency, please be sure the agency allows driving on the Mauna Kea summit access road or on gravel roads.
If using a commercial drive vendor it must be one that is permitted by the University of Hawaii. Commercial tour companies are allowed to take three vans of ADULTS onto the summit during the daytime hours; four or more requires permission from the Office of Mauna Kea Management.
DAYTIME VISITS TO THE SUMMIT FOR HIGH SCHOOL GROUPS OF 10-14
A special use request must be submitted and approved by the Visitor Information Station.
No one under the age of 16 is allowed in the high school group to the summit.
The group size, including adult chaperones, cannot exceed 14 persons. A group, defined as people coming from one organization, shall not be split up into smaller groups of 14 persons.
The group must submit a $1 million liability policy, unless transportation is provided by a permitted Mauna Kea tour operator.
The group must have someone who is certified to provide first aid.
All members of the group must acclimate for at least 30 minutes at the Visitor Information Station at the 9,200 foot elevation.
There must be one adult to every 10 - 13 students and each student must be assigned to an adult.
Members of the group must stay together. In the event someone feels ill or becomes ill all members of the group must depart the summit, unless the group has additional vehicles that can provide transportation off the summit to the remaining members of the group. Any student who is transported to a lower elevation, including the Visitor Information Station, must be accompanied at all times by an adult.
If the group is providing its own transportation they must use a 4-wheel drive vehicle and the drivers must have experience and know how to drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle. If they are renting 4-wheel drive vehicles from a rental car agency, please be sure the agency allows driving on the Mauna Kea summit access road or on gravel roads. Students are not allowed to drive any vehicle.
If using a commercial drive vendor it must be one that is permitted by the University of Hawaii. A maximum of two vans are allowed per commercial tour company for transporting high school student group tours.
SUNSET AND STARGAZING AT THE MID-LEVEL ELEVATION FOR STUDENT GROUPS OF 10 OR MORE
A special use request must be submitted and approved by the Visitor Information Station.
No one under the age of 16 is allowed to be above the Visitor Information.
The group must have someone who is certified to provide first aid.
There must be 1 adult to every 5 students and each student must be assigned to an adult.
Inquiry must be made with the Office of Mauna Kea Management regarding special arrangements for stargazing if the group exceeds 20 or more. The group must arrange for their own star gazing guide and telescope.
If using a commercial drive vendor it must be one that is permitted by the University of Hawaii. Permission from the Office of Mauna Kea Management is required if the tour company needs to use more than the two vans allowed for the sunset/stargazing period that is permitted under its permit.
Please fill out the Special Request form online. We will contact you to confirm your request.
If you have any questions about a potential visit, please contact the VIS at (808) 961-2180.
