FAQ | Maui Stargazing

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions!

- We show the most celestial objects of any astronomy tour through a 12” aperture Dobsonian telescope, the largest portable telescope on Maui.
- Our tours are family friendly, and children as young as 4 years on up to nonagenarians are welcome.
- The tour is also perfect for couples.
- Guests receive the evening’s observing list and an educational PowerPoint presentation with photographs and explanations of the celestial objects.
- Guests meet near the food trucks near Longs Drugs at 55 Kiopaa Place, Makawao, HI 96768, then park and board our Mercedes Sprinter Van.
- We meet 3 hours before sunset. This gives us time to use the reach the summit of Haleakala an hour before sunset. Your guide will monitor the conditions and determine the most advantageous spot for the sunset picnic and stargazing.
- Check this link to our observing lists by month: Tonight’s Sky | Maui Stargazing
- Maui Stargazing shows telescope views of the moon, planets, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies. We use a laser pointer to highlight constellations and other points of interest in the night sky.
- Maui Stargazing does not pick up guests at resorts. It is advised that guests have a rental vehicle to reach the meeting location. Our guests meet at 55 Kiopaa Place, Makawao, HI 96768, then park and board our Mercedes Sprinter Van for the six hour tour. You can arrange other transportation to the meeting location if you are not renting a vehicle.
- The drive is very safe and the roads leading to Haleakala Summit are well maintained. The first half takes 30 minutes on a well-maintained state highway through scenic Haleakala Ranch cattle pastures. The second half is within Haleakala National Park and on a well-maintained federal road. Your driver is experienced at driving the route, having conducted approximately 1600 tours over the last 8 years.
- We recommend that guests bring warm layers including a long-sleeved shirt with a fleece hoodie, long pants, and closed shoes with thick socks over the ankle. Maui Stargazing provides warm jackets and snow pants, hats, and gloves.
- Do not under-estimate the cold at Haleakala. It may be Hawaii but wind chill can reach 28F.
- Warm layers of clothing and closed shoes.
- Guests bring their own meals, snacks, and beverages.
- Optional items include hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, cameras, tripods.
- Maui Stargazing will cancel in advance of a tour if we think the weather will be bad. Guests have the option to receive a 100% refund or reschedule at no charge.
- If we think there’s a chance for a clear night, we will proceed with the tour. If the weather prevents telescope observing guests may reschedule or have a rain check good for one year.
- Maui Stargazing is committed to providing a quality experience and we will cancel in advance of a tour if we think clouds will prevent meaningful stargazing. For canceled tours you may reschedule at no charge or receive a full refund.
- Credit card payments are preferred.
- Yes, you are welcome to tip the tour guide.
- Guests may park without charge on the street near the food trucks next to Longs Drugs at 55 Kiopaa Place, Makawao, HI 96768, then park and board our Mercedes Sprinter Van.
- The tour is conducted in the national park and the park is wheelchair accessible. Maui Stargazing’s van is not wheelchair accessible so you will need to bring your wheelchair in your own vehicle. Also, Maui Stargazing’s guide is not able to assist with the wheelchair.
- No
- You may bring a pet in your own vehicle.
- Maui Stargazing provides chairs, outerwear, and a hot beverage. We have the largest portable telescope on Haleakala for the stargazing portion of the tour.
- You are welcome to bring binoculars, a tripod and camera gear or a small telescope if you have one.
- Because guests have such diverse dietary preferences and restrictions, they bring their own meal and beverages (no alcohol please). Maui Stargazing provides hot water to make Starbucks coffee, Swiss Miss cocoa, and an assortment of herbal teas.
- Maui Stargazing provides folding chairs for the sunset picnic, a hot beverage before sunset, warm outerwear, and a telescope for observing celestial objects.
- Guests are responsible to reach the meeting spot near the food trucks next to Longs Drugs at 55 Kiopaa Place, Makawao, HI 96768, then park and board our Mercedes Sprinter Van for the 6 hour tour.
- We advise guests to rent a car or prearrange for transportation to and from the meeting spot.
- If the tour has started but clouds prevent setting up the telescope we offer a chance to reschedule or a rain check. Throughout the day we watch cloud movements on satellites, monitor live summit webcams and check several forecasting sites. We are good at making correct assumptions about the viability of a tour. However, we are not perfect and sometimes we reach the summit expecting good weather and find ourselves surrounded by clouds, fog, rain, and sometimes even unpredicted snow!
- If Maui Stargazing cancels a tour in advance of the tour due to clouds, guests may receive a full refund or reschedule at no charge. If we proceed with a tour expecting good weather but clouds prevent stargazing, guests may reschedule at no charge if within one year.