How to Prepare for Winter Snow in Hawaii

Winter storms on Hawaii Island mean one thing - SNOW! Everyone from young children to grandmas and grandpas check the views of the summit of Mauna Kea to see if there's enough snow to warrant the trip up the mountain. But Hawaiian snow isn't an adventure just for the locals, visitors can enjoy it too if you have a friend with a 4-wheel drive.

Before venturing up the mountain, you'll need to check the live webcams to see how much snow has fallen (see below). The webcams are located on the astronomical obsevatories at the top of Mauna Kea (Hawaiian for white mountain). Due to excellent viewing conditions, Mauna Kea has thirteen observatories visited by astronomers from all over the world. If there is a thick cover of snow with few patches of volcanic rock poking through, the snow should be worth the trip. However, you'll still need to check for any weather advisories, just in case.

Your next step is to make sure your vehicle will make it up the mountain. Mauna Kea should only be climbed in a 4-wheel drive vehicle, and most rental car agencies will not allow their cars to be driven up the mountain. Sure, you can try it in a rental car, but you will void your contract and the agency won't save you if you get stuck. There are no gas stations on the mountain. But you did want an adventure, didn't you?

You'll need to pack something to eat - there are no restaurants on the mountain. Several scenic overlooks offer a breathtaking view while you stop and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa or a warm thermos of soup.

What to wear? The temperature on the summit in the winter ranges from 25 to 40 degrees fahrenheit, but there can be sudden blizzard conditions where the temperature plunges. There's no need for heavy ski clothes, just jeans, athletic shoes, and a sweater or jacket should be fine. Bring along a few extra layers, just in case. You will need mittens or gloves if you plan on making snowmen.

The route to the mountain is highway 200, the Saddle Road, so named because it traverses the valley between the mountains of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. At mile marker 28 you reach the turn off to the Visitor Information Station at the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy. The Onizuka Center is named for Ellison Onizuka, a Hawaii-born astronaut who was killed in the Challenger space shuttle explosion. At 9,000 feet, the center serves as an "altitude acclimatization center" for visitors, as well scientists and technicians. Here you can take a break to get used to the altitude while you watch videos of space exploration, look through telescopes, browse the gift shop, or take pictures of the astounding views of Mauna Loa.

After at least an hour at the Visitor Information Station, you're off to play in the snow. Although the snow can be abundant at lower elevations, it's worth driving all the way to the summit at 14,000 feet to see the observatories. The air is thin up there, so you'll need to pace yourself. There are several flat runs that are suitable even for skiing, but boogie boards can be just as fun. Local families enjoy filling up the beds of pick-up trucks with snow to share with friends at home. After two or three hours you will be exhausted and ready for the trip down the mountain, but think of the story you'll have to tell.

The trip to the summit can be a dangerous one for anyone with heart or lung problems due to the altitude and lack of oxygen. It's also not advisable for young children who can adverse reactions to the decrease in oxygen.