The Hawaii Traveler

Telescopes on Mauna Kea Flickr Creative Commons by MGShelton

We were at Hapuna Beach at dusk, and stayed until well after the sun dipped down past the earth’s curve. I could see the moon’s reflection in the wet sand and looked upward and inland, and pointed to a blue star. I said, “I wonder if that’s Venus.”

As it turns out, it’s the observatories at the top of Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano, and also the highest peak in the world, when measured from its base at the sea floor. From the edge of the island, and way down at sea level, I got an indication of just how high thirteen thousand feet above sea level is. At that height, it’s no wonder you can ski on it.

It was no matter. I made a wish and said, “Star light, star bright…” anyway. We’ll see if wishing on Mauna Kea works just as well as wishing on a real star. The next time I’m in Hawai’i, we’ll know it did.

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