Stargazing at Haleakala National Park

If you are ever blessed with a chance to visit Maui, the Valley Isle, don’t leave without first stargazing with Becky at Maui Astronomy Tours.

You will leave with an experience like none other and feeling like you have touched the heavens.

Sadly, on 01/09/19 we learned that Maui Astronomy Tours is no longer in business as the owner has decided to relocate. We’ve decided to leave the post active as stargazing on Haleakala left such an impression on our family. We hope it inspires more people to stargaze at this stunning National Park.

This post may contain affiliate links and we may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.

Haleakala is one of the best places in the world for stargazing.  Even the Air Force agrees!  They have an entire facility built atop its summit to track objects in space.

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Ever since I was little, I have always loved the heavens.  I was the kid that looked forward to school trips to the local planetarium and begged to set up a telescope in my bedroom.  I am by no means an expert, I am simply in awe of its majesty.

“Where to Miss?”… “To the Stars!” ~ Jack Dawson, Rose Dewitt Bukater,   Titanic 

When researching things to do on Maui, I came across Maui Astronomy Tours.  They offer a sunset atop Haleakala, followed by stargazing.  What an adventure!  Not to mention a fantastic homeschool field trip.

With my Wheel of Fortune prize money (post on that to come!) just about completely spent on the trip, it was a risky pitch to my husband. 

To my surprise, when asked, my “Jack Dawson” immediately said “yes”… of course he’d take me to the stars.  I was holding back tears as I called to book our excursion.

Don’t forget to check out our lists of Over 50 Amazing Resources for Kids, All About Hawai’i and Out of this World! Children’s Books about SPACE! .

Maui Astronomy Tours

The owner, Becky, was so energetic from the moment I first spoke with her!  Her excitement throughout radiates and adds to the adventure.  It was hard to believe someone who sees the stars weekly on Haleakala could be as excited as me… someone who hadn’t.  I think she is truly doing what she loves.

I was very impressed with her attention to detail!  Becky has thought of everything.  She provides the following for you to enjoy while stargazing with her:

• Warm winter coats, hats and gloves
• Blankets
• Chairs and mats to sit on
• An 8 inch telescope set-up for you to view objects in space (WE SAW SATURN!)
•  An ORGANIC finger food picnic

In addition, Becky monitors the ever changing weather atop the summit.  She keeps guests informed of any changes in schedule due to fluctuating conditions.

Let the Adventure Begin!

My family met Becky at a local business so we could wait for the other five people in our tour.  We would all caravan to the summit together.  Becky keeps each group small with a maximum of 12 guests per evening.  Very personal.

While waiting for the others to arrive, Becky was eager to share with us photos of endangered and endemic plants and animals we may see as we ascend.

• Nene Goose (Hawaii’s State Bird)
• Pueo (Sacred Owl)
• Silversword plant (Ahinahina)
• Hawaiian Petrel (‘Ua’u’)

Before departing she made sure we all had ginger chews to help with car sickness on the two hour journey to the top (again, those details!).

Destination = 10,023 ft elevation!

Not surprisingly, Becky had planned for us to arrive at the summit shortly before sunset.  This gave us plenty of time to park, unload gear, bundle-up and best of all… explore the moon-like terrain!

Everyone stood in awe of the clouds that surrounded us, everywhere we looked.  Nothing I write could possibly manage to express even a tiny portion of the beauty.

“The air up there in the clouds is very pure and fine, bracing and delicious.  And why shouldn’t it be? ~~ it is the same the angels breathe.”  Mark Twain

Goodnight Sun

All of the colors of the sunset were magnificent!  I couldn’t take my eyes off of it.  The blanket of clouds was so puffy it looked like you could walk across them and tuck the sun in for the night.

It was the perfect start to what was yet to come!

Hello Stars!

While we had been enjoying the sunset, Becky had been setting up the telescope and picnic snacks.  She had purposely chosen the highest location possible to provide the best stargazing.  Other tours were set up farther down the summit near the bathrooms.  Becky wanted to make sure we would have zero sources of light interfering with our view of the sky  (Details!).

As soon as the sun was below the clouds, stars started popping out…even while there was still visible sunlight.  You could see Venus just below the moon.

Eventually the only light was starlight.  My eyes tried to take it all in.   The Milky Way was now visible and stunning.  Every so often a straight line of green light streaked the sky…it was a laser from Science City scanning above.  Satellites passed overhead too.

Perhaps the whole world heard me exclaim… “Oh.  My.  Gosh, Becky!  Look at those stars.  They are so big!”

After the moon had slowly disappeared into the western horizon, the stars shone in the sky alone in total darkness.  The sheer number of them is hard to grasp.

I hardly took any photos because the lack of lighting made it difficult to work camera functions and the light from the camera screen required my eyes to readjust after seeing it.  Honestly though, I was just too excited to even think about pausing to take any.  Being present and seeing my family in awe was far more important to me.  Thankfully, Becky has shared some of her own photos on her website.

Fly Me to the Moon (Saturn too)

Becky made sure to show us the moon through her telescope.  The clarity and details of the surface were astounding.  I imagined Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin leaving footprints on it as they proudly placed our American Flag.

THEN… she repositioned the telescope and we were able to look at Saturn!  YES!!!  We actually saw Saturn and its rings…talk about mind- blowing!  Because our group was small we all had plenty of time to marvel through the lens.  The memory of it still has me speechless.

Farewell for Now

I could’ve stargazed ALL night and feel so blessed to have shared this powerful experience with my family.  I would without hesitation do it again.

Mahalo to Maui Astronomy Tours for probably my most favorite family vacation memory ever!  We hope to join you again sometime.  

++ Please note that since the time of my family’s visit, Haleakala National Park changed its policies in 2018 regarding group caravans. 

Read about out other Hawaiian adventures:

Maui

• Volunteering at O’o Organic Farm 
• Maui Ocean Center, Aquarium
• Best Snorkeling in Maui ~ Molokini & Turtle Arches Snorkel Cruise with Pacific Whale Foundation
• The Best Luau in Maui ~ The ‘Aha’aina Wailea Luau, at Grand Wailea Resort
• Maui Humane Society, Beach Buddies Program ~ Volunteer on Vacation

Big Island

• Hilo Tropical Waterfall Tour with Hawaii Forest and Trail
• Kona House Condo
• Giving Back on Vacation: Hawai’i Wildlife Center
• One Aloha Shave Ice (organic)
• Meet the Artist; Mattie Mae Larson of Upcycle Hawaii (Big Island, plastic pollution, marine debris, unique wearable art.)
• Upcycle Hawaii ~ A Peek Inside their Studio
• A Visit with Upcycle Hawaii to One of the Most Plastic Polluted Beaches in the World