At 13,796 feet, Mauna Kea is the tallest of Hawaii mountains (when measured from its base on the ocean’s floor, 16,000 feet beneath the waves, it is the tallest on earth). Mauna Kea makes up a full 23% of the island of Hawaii’s landmass, and is the island’s 4th most active volcano. Mauna Kea is currently dormant. Its last eruption occurred approximately 4500 years ago. Earthquakes do occur periodically on Mauna Kea and seem to be the result of seismic activity along tectonic faults instead of magma movement.

Winter snow falls on the peak of Mauna Kea, accumulating to several feet. The Mountain takes its indigenous name Mauna Kea, which means ‘White Mountain’ in Hawaiian, from this feature. Ever since humans 1st inhabited the Hawaiian Islands, Mauna Kea has been a focal point of religious belief and 1,000’s of pilgrims have climbed up its steep, sacred slopes. Naturally, the view is from the top is pretty spectacular.