View source for Mauna Kea

{{subpages}}{{Infobox Mountain
| name             = Mauna Kea
| photo            = maunakea.jpg
| caption          = Mauna Kea observatories
| elevation        = {{convert|13796|ft|m|0||13,796}}
| country          = [[United States of America]]
| province         =
| state            = [[Hawaii (U.S. state)|Hawaii]]
| city             = [[Hilo]]
| range            = [[Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain|Hawai{{okina}}ian-Emperor seamount chain]]
| type             = [[Shield volcano]]
| age              = About 400,000 years old
| last_eruption    = About 2460 BC ± 100 years
| first_ascent     = 
| coordinates      = {{coordinates|19|49|14.39|N|155|28|05.04|W}}
}}
'''Mauna Kea''' is a dormant volcano in the [[United States of America|U.S.]] state of [[Hawaii (U.S. state)]], one of five volcanoes which together form the island of [[Hawaii (island)|Hawai{{okina}}i]]. Mauna kea means "white mountain" in the [[Hawaiian language|Hawai{{okina}}ian language]], a reference to its summit being regularly covered by snow in winter.

The peak of Mauna Kea is {{convert|13796|ft|m|0||13,796}} above [[sea level]] but about {{convert|33000|ft|m|-3||33,000}} above its base on the floor of the [[Pacific Ocean]]. It is the world's tallest mountain by this measure, taller than [[Mount Everest]], which is the highest mountain above sea level.

[[Pu`u Wēkiu]] is the highest of the numerous cinder cones on the summit plateau. It is also the highest point in the state. Mauna Kea can be reached via the [[Saddle Road]].

==Physical Resources==

Mauna Kea stands approximately {{convert|13796|ft|m|0||13,796}}, or {{convert|33000|ft|m|-3||33,000}} from the ocean floor. Three cinder cones (pu`u) make up the summit of Mauna Kea ([[Pu`u Hau`oki]], [[Pu`u Wēkiu]], [[Pu`u Haukea]]), collectively referred to as Pu`u o Kūkahau`ula. Mauna Kea is the highest point in the [[Pacific Basin]] and the highest island-mountain in the world. Mauna Kea was listed as a [[National Natural Landmark]] in 1972. There is also evidence of glaciers that covered nearly 27-square miles of the summit region during the [[Pleistocene Epoch]] (Ice Ages) approximately 18,000 years ago.

===Geology===
[[Magma]] pushed up through the oceanic crust began building Mauna Kea approximately 750,000 years ago. Throughout its building stages, lava flowed from three main rift zones, forming a volcano resembling a warrior's shield. At the end of the shield stage eruptions became more explosive, discharging magma referred to as [[tephra]]. These eruptions created the numerous cinder cones dotted across the highest elevations of Mauna Kea. 

During the Pleistocene Epoch (Ice Ages) the summit region of Mauna Kea, was covered with glaciers. It is believed that melting of the glaciers was the first source of water for [[Lake Waiau]].
===Climate===
Above {{convert|7000|ft|m|-2||7,000}}, the upper slopes and summit region of Mauna Kea are classified as high alpine desert, above the trade wind inversion, where the air is dry and cool.  During winter months (November-April) low-pressure systems tend to inhibit formation of the inversion layer, permitting increased precipitation, including snowfall at the summit.  Annual precipitation ranges from {{convertrange|7|18|inches|cm}} in the summit area to {{convertrange|12|20|inches|cm}} at [[Hale Pōhaku]].

==Flora and Fauna==
Mauna Kea can generally be divided into two ecosystems; the subalpine ecosystem, which is at {{convert|5600|ft|m|-2||5,600}} to {{convert|9500|ft|m|-2||9,500}}, and the alpine ecosystem, which is occurs above {{convert|9500|ft|m|-2||9,500}}. Hale Pōhaku occurs in the upper reaches of the subalpine ecosystem, while the Mauna Kea Science Reserve occurs in the alpine ecosystem.
===Subalpine Flora and Fauna (Hale Pōhaku and Access Road)===
The subalpine pant life consists of [[māmane]] forests and understory plants including; [[alpine hairgrass]], [[pili uka]], [[`āheahea]], [[pūkiawe]], [[nohoanu]], [[kalamoho]], [[`iwa`iwa]], [[olali`i]], [[littleleaf stenogyne]], and [[mā`ohi`ohi]]. [[Hawai`i catchfly]], a threatened species under the [[Endangered Species Act]] (ESA), has been observed there as well. Invasive weeds such as grasses and [[common mullein]] also inhabit the area and appear to be increasing in abundance. 

Māmane forests once ranged from sea level on the leeward side of Mauna Kea up to the tree line, however they have been pushed back, and greatly decreased due to habitat alteration, and invasive plant and animal species that inhibit the growth of Māmane trees.

The subalpine animal life consists of a wide variety of native [[arthropods]] ([[insect]]s, [[spiders]]), [[palila]], [[`amakihi]], [[`apapane]], [[`elepaio]], [[`kiapola`au]], [[`i`iwi]], as well as many species of non-native birds and mammals (e.g. cats, rats, barn owls, and mongoose).

===Alpine Flora and Fauna (Mauna Kea Science Reserve)===
Alpine plant and animal communities on Mauna Kea begin just above the treeline, at approximately {{convert|9500|ft|m|2||9,500}}, and rise to the summit of the mountain at {{convert|13796|ft|m|0||13,796}}. The alpine communities can be divided in shrublands, grasslands, and desert, though they all can be described as barren, and no clear line exists between any of the groups.
====Alpine Shrublands and Grasslands====
Alpine shrublands are inhabited mainly by [[pūkiawe]], [[ōhelo]], [[Mauna Kea dubautia]], [[Hawaiian bentgrass|Hawai{{okina}}ian bentgrass]], [[pili uka]], [[Douglas' bladderfern]], [[kalamoho]], [[`olali`i]], [[`iwa`iwa]]. Now rare, historically common species included [[`āhinahina]] (Mauna Kea Silversword), [[lava dubautia]], [[`ōhelo papa]] (Hawai{{okina}}ian strawberry), [[`ena `ena]], [[nohoanu]] and [[alpine tetramolopium]]. Non-Native invasive species include [[hairy cat's ear]], [[sheep sorrel]], [[common mullein]], and [[fireweed]].

Relatively few animals have been documented to frequent this region.
====Mauna Kea Summit – Alpine Stone Desert====
The plant community at the summit consists of [[mosses]], [[lichens]], and [[algae]], and a limited number of [[vascular]] plants, predominantly the same species found in the alpine shrublands and grasslands.

Lichens and mosses have the most diversity of any of the plant life found at the summit. A survey of the summit found 21 species of lichens, plus five possible others. Around half of the lichen species found on Mauna Kea are endemic (found only in Hawai`i), two of which ([[Pseudephebe pubescens]] and [[Umbilicaria pacifica]]) are limited to Mauna Kea alone. Mosses occur where water availability is more consistent, such as under overhanging rocks and in shaded crevices or caves where snow melts slowly. A survey identified approximately 12 species most of which are indigenous to the [[Hawaiian Islands|Hawai{{okina}}ian Islands]].

The animal community at the summit consists almost completely of [[arthropods]]. The arthropod community on the summit is highly unusual in that it is mostly made up of [[predators]] and [[scavengers]], and there are very few species that rely on plants as their sole food source. Surveys conclude that 21 resident species, and 14 species of undetermined origin have been observed in this region.

==Cultural Significance==
===Sacredness of Mauna Kea===
As with other cultures throughout the world, early [[Polynesians]] believed their highest points of land were the most sacred. In Hawai{{okina}}i, tradition tells us that the highest and most sacred places were [[Mauna Wai`ale`ale]] on [[Kaua`i]]; [[Mauna Ka`ala]] on [[O`ahu]]; [[Mauna Haleakalā]] on [[Maui]]; and Mauna Kea on Hawai{{okina}}i. Mauna Kea, being the highest point throughout the [[Pacific]], has been considered by many to be the most sacred of all. Mauna Kea was host to religious practices, study of the heavens, and tool making in the [[Keanakāko‘i Adze Quarry]].
===The Highest Portal to the Hawai{{okina}}ian Universe===
Mauna Kea is the mountain altar of [[Wākea]], also known as the celestial father. Wākea is the ancestor of the [[Native Hawaiians|indigenous Hawai{{okina}}ian race]]. 
===A Sacred Spiritual Burial Ground===
According to traditional accounts, [[Pu`u Lilinoe]], named for the goddess of mists and [[Lilinoe]], was buried in a cave near the summit of Mauna Kea. Aside from this legend, there are many confirmed and suspected burial grounds of [[Kahuna]] (chiefs) and [[Ali`i]] (priests) on the upper slopes, and the summit platuea of Mauna Kea.
===The Source of Life===
Mauna Kea makes up a large part of the islands aquifer.
It is believed that [[Poli`ahu]] (snow), [[Lilinoe]] (mist) and [[Waiau]] (ice) are the female waters in perpetual intercourse with Wākea for the furtherance of all life.

==Telescopes==
There are currently thirteen telescopes near the summit of Mauna Kea. Nine of them are for optical and infrared astronomy, three are for submillimeter wavelength astronomy and one for radio astronomy. They include the largest optical/infrared telescopes in the world (the Keck telescopes), the largest dedicated infrared telescope (UKIRT) and the largest submillimeter telescope in the world (the JCMT).
===Viewing Time===
The [[University of Hawai`i]] receives 10 to 15 percent of each telescope’s viewing time in place of a monetary rental fee. This telescope time is allotted to UH scientists to conduct research. Telescope organizations pay for operational and infrastructure development costs on Mauna Kea, such as roadway improvements, installation of fiber optics, operation of the Visitor Information Station, and snow removal.
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