Visitors and residents are encouraged to plan ahead and carpool when possible as sunset has started bringing much more traffic than usual to Maunakea.
A UH Hilo advisory issued Tuesday says traffic on Maunakea Access Road, at the Maunakea Visitor Center and the summit area has been “significantly heavier than usual during sunset hours.” Crowds are even larger when snow falls on Maunakea.
In addition to carpooling, residents and visitors are urged to allow extra time for travel, to arrive early to secure legal parking and to follow all parking guidelines to help protect Maunakea’s delicate ecosystem and cultural sites, as well as other visitors.
Note that parking is only allowed in designated areas at the summit and visitor center. Parking outside designated areas is strictly prohibited.
Maunakea rangers are also on-site to help manage traffic flow, ensure safety of all visitors, assist guests and protect the area’s natural and cultural resources.
Before traveling to the summit, check the latest weather conditions and road status since conditions atop the mauna can change suddenly, bringing freezing temperatures, strong winds, snow and icy roads.
Visitor information is also available on the UH Hilo Center for Maunakea Stewardship website.
