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Route: This is a narrow road accessing scientific observatories on Mauna Loa and on clear days can provide spectacular views of Hualalai, Mauna Loa and other peaks.

Directions: Hilo side of the intersection with John A. Burns Way (Mauna Loa Observatory Road), 27.7 miles from Hilo.

This infrequently maintained, unpaved, four wheel drive hunters’ road circles the east, north, and west sides of Mauna Kea between the 7,000′ and 9,000′ elevations within the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve. It passes through native sub-alpine woodland and over barren lava flows.

This paved, winding, rolling, single lane, two wheel drive road proceeds roughly south for about 3 miles, then southeast for 5 miles, then west over nearly barren lava flows, rising steadily to the NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory at the 11,150′ elevation on the north slope of Mauna Loa.

This observatory has been providing global carbon dioxide (and climate change) data since the 1950s. Clear weather provides a spectacular view of Mauna Kea, Kohala, Haleakala (Maui), Hualalai, and the Pohakuloa saddle. Under optimum conditions, the islands of Kaho’olawe, Lana’i, and Moloka’i can be seen. The Observatory facilities are not open to the public. Trails into the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park to the Mauna Loa summit originate at the end of the road.

The route traverses critical habitat of the endangered palila (Loxioides bailleui), a Hawaiian finch found only on the upper slopes of Mauna Kea. Caution, the entire route is open year-round for hunting.