Neal M.
Yelp
Mauna Kea Summit and Stars. May 9, 2024
(Scroll Down for Volcano Unveiled Review -- Separate tour, but Yelp won't let me write two separate reviews for same company)
Tour Guide: Jeff
Our tour started almost immediately, as Jeff described lava flows we were passing. Yes, the whole island formed by lava, but continuing flows keep the island growing. Amazing.
As we climbed Mauna Kea, Jeff repeatedly checked on our adaptation to the elevation gain encouraging us to stay hydrated.
My wife and I are old enough, we watched the Apollo moon landings live on our little black and white TV. We were ecstatic to see the barren area where those astronauts trained!
We've been taking geology and astronomy courses via Great Courses, so now we could see all of this in person. At the summit, we saw some of the telescopes we had studied. YAY! Took our picture in front of the NASA IR telescope!!
We absorbed a stunning sunset. By the way, the parkas supplied were perfect with the 32F temps.
Then we dropped down a 1,000 ft to a little pull off and started the Star Party. Absolutely out of this world! Jeff had two telescopes set up. One, connected to a computer, was tracking celestial objects and doing timed photos which The other reflector telescope Jeff tuned to different objects and we got to see them! We started with the Moon which was crescent phase. Craters, craters everywhere, and sharply in focus. Then we moved on to star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae. This was the cherry on top of all our astronomical courses.
My favorite constellation is the Southern Cross -- not visible from the CONUS -- it was great to see it again.
Jeff was an outstanding guide the whole way. He answered all of our astronomical and geological questions, and also taught us so much we didn't know enough to ask. He cared for us along the way, fed us great meals, and bundled us up against the cold. He is a kind teacher, driver, guide!
There aren't enough stars in the sky to give a rating for this tour and Jeff!
Hawaii forest and trail: Volcano Unveiled
Volcano Unveiled May 13,2024
A long ride from Kona to Hilo to the Volcano National Park. Then I did a Google map search and found that whether you go Kona--Hilo--Volcano or directly from Kona to Volcano, it's the same distance!
Andrew was our tour guide and he kept things interesting explaining geological features as we crossed up and over the saddle.
Our first point of interest was the lava tube. I have explored five lava tubes in New Mexico's El Malpais (Bad Lands). For those you have to check in at a ranger station where you buy a pass and he checks to see if you have all the proper gear (helmet, headlamp, gloves, hiking boots, & knee pads). Those lava tubes require scrambling over rocks to enter and sometimes within. So my wife never joined me on those adventures.
HOWEVER, This experience had EASY ACCESS! This lava tube had a predominantly smooth floor and uniform tube unlike those in NM. Andrew pointed out the different features.
After that we had lunch. The lunches provided are always good. We had pastrami sandwiches and later stew and chilli (Wife, chilli, me, stew).
Then we drove to the big, most recently active volcano, Kalua Pele. We took a short hike/walk there. Beautiful flowers, ominous steam vents, and the occasional whiff of sulfur. Andrew explained the different area of the immense caldera, and what happened just a couple years prior with the last eruption. Then we were off for a second volcano which sits right next to the first!
The second volcano, Keanakako, required a 1.4 mile hike round trip, the last part of which was over hardened lava. This, too, was different from NM. In NM the trails lead over what I call lava plates. Flat pieces of hardened lava that can flip over as you walk. This has none of that. So a very safe trail. Andrew told us about the Ohia plant. It has a beautiful red flower and is the first plant to grow on the freshly hardened lava. Over time it provides the soil for other vegetation. Cool. This last hike was in the rain which by the time we reached the crater's edge was a downpour. We were thoroughly drenched by the time we got back to the van.
Andrew took us to Natinonal park welcome site, so we could dry off by a roaring wood fire and eat our delicious hot stew. Good plan, but they threw us out for eating. Nice.
Recommendations: It always seems to be raining, so: waterproof hiking boots and waterproof pants. They provide a raincoat, but if you take your own make sure it has a hood and is waterproof, not just water resistant. Waterproof gloves would complete the ensemble.
A must tour! Super guide! Great itinerary. Oh, yes, you can go to a lava tube at the park, but there is limited parking and a long line. Plus our guide told us that the tube has suffered from all the tourists. The lava to tube the tour takes you to is in pristine condition. JUST GO!