Quck answer
No, you cannot ski in Hawaii. Hawaii is a tropical paradise with warm weather and no snow. The islands are known for their beautiful beaches, lush landscapes, and active volcanoes. While you can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities in Hawaii, such as surfing, snorkeling, and hiking, skiing is not one of them. If you are looking for a skiing destination, you would need to visit a place with mountains and winter conditions, such as Colorado or Switzerland. Hawaii offers a different kind of adventure and relaxation, perfect for beach lovers and nature enthusiasts.
Hello, Wonder Friends! That’s the Hawaiian way of saying “Hello!” if you didn’t already know. Today, we are visiting the Hawaiian Islands. We will begin the day by relaxing under a palm tree. We might even take a swim in the ocean. Tomorrow, we will put on our snowsuits and gloves and ski down the tallest mountain in the world!
We understand what you are thinking, and yes, you can go skiing in Hawaii. It is not all about pineapples and tiki torches! To hit the slopes, all you need to do is visit Mauna Kea. In Hawaiian, its name means “White Mountain.” Mauna Kea truly lives up to its name. Its summit is covered in snow and perfect for skiing.
“But isn’t Mount Everest the tallest mountain in the world?” wise Wonder Friends might ask. Indeed, the top of Mount Everest is the highest point on Earth. However, that does not mean it is the tallest mountain in the world.
Mauna Kea not only reaches high into the sky, but also deep under the water. It reaches an elevation of 13,803 feet above sea level. This makes the peak of Mauna Kea the highest point in Hawaii. From its base on the ocean floor to its peak, Mauna Kea measures 33,500 feet in height! That is more than three times the height from base to peak of Mount Everest!
Mauna Kea is actually a volcano. It last erupted over 4,600 years ago. It is currently dormant, but there is a possibility that Mauna Kea will erupt again in the future. Scientists do not know when this may occur, but they closely monitor it for any signs of an eruption.
The summit of the White Mountain is also one of the best locations in the world for studying the sky. An access road to the summit was constructed in 1964. Since then, 11 different countries have built 13 large telescopes at the top of Mauna Kea. Its high elevation and dry climate make it an ideal place for stargazing.
Together, these telescopes form one of the largest space observatories in the world. However, it is not without controversy. Some local Hawaiians are against their sacred mountain being used for such purposes. Others are concerned about the impact on endangered species in the area.
Would you like to visit Mauna Kea? Would you go skiing? Will you take the opportunity to explore outer space? Whatever you choose to do there, make sure to keep an eye out for any signs of an eruption!
Give It a Try
We hope you enjoyed today’s Wonder of the Day. It was not a made-up story! Find a friend or family member to help you try out one or more of the following activities:
- If you want to know more about the other tall mountain that you might have heard of, make sure to read the previous Wonder of the Day: Where is the Highest Mountain? Which mountain would you prefer to visit? Why? Do you think it’s fair that Mount Everest receives more attention than Mauna Kea? If you had the opportunity, would you like to explore underwater mountain ranges? Write a letter or email to a friend or family member explaining which of these mountains you would most like to see and why.
- Imagine how the Hawaiian Islands would appear if Mauna Kea emerged from the bottom of the sea and had its base at sea level. What do you think it would be like to visit the world’s highest mountain… which also happens to be a volcano? Do you think the possibility of a volcanic eruption would discourage mountain climbers? Or would it just increase the excitement? Do you think more people would attempt to climb Mauna Kea than Mount Everest? Would it be more enjoyable to start in Hawaii rather than Nepal? Write a story about the adventure you could have.
- As you discovered in today’s Wonder of the Day, scientists take advantage of Mauna Kea’s multiple observatories. Would you like to see some of what they can see for yourself? If so, grab a friend or family member and go online to check out the Mauna Kea Cameras. You never know what you might be able to observe from thousands of miles away!
Wonder Sources
- http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/HCV/maunakea.html (accessed 22 Nov. 2019)
- http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanoes/maunakea/ (accessed 22 Nov. 2019)
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauna_Kea (accessed 22 Nov. 2019)
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