Exploring Hawaii: Mauna Kea

When most people picture Hawaii, they don’t think of drug rehab. Instead, they think of vacation—beautiful hikes up ancient volcanoes, relaxing on white sand beaches, and swimming through clear blue waters.

Here at Hawaii Island Recovery, we do not only invite you or your loved one to undergo treatment in a tranquil environment led by licensed professionals, but we also encourage our residents to explore all this beautiful island has to offer. For many of our residents, those moments spent swimming with dolphins or relaxing on the beach provide memorable turning points in their journey to recovery.

One of the many sites we’ll invite you or your loved one to explore during your stay in Hawaii is Mauna Kea, a volcano that marks the highest point in the state of Hawaii at 13,802 feet above sea level.

Mauna Kea offers a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore. The Mauna Kea trail is the easiest trail to climb, but at six miles long, it still offers a memorable challenge. Those who make it to the top are rewarded by beautiful views from the summit area.

Your beach attire won’t be sufficient for this island activity. At such high altitudes, temperatures can drop below freezing. Be sure to pack long sleeves and pants in order to stay warm as you hike to the top.

It’s also important that hikers take their time climbing the mountain to allow their bodies to acclimate to the higher elevation. The visitor center provides the perfect place to do just that. Simply drive to the visitor center and rest for a half hour or more before embarking on your hike.

The visitor center is more than a pitstop, however. It’s also attached to the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy. This volcano is internationally recognized as an ideal location for viewing the night sky, and the center offers a free Stargazing Program several nights per week.

The volcano’s unique location allows visitors to view stars in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Staff and volunteers will point out what to look for, and the view is breathtaking even without the assistance of a telescope. To ensure you see as much as possible, you’ll also have access to telescopes for an up-close look at the constellations.

While hiking to the summit and stargazing encourages you to look up, up, up, you can also find startling beauty by simply looking around. There are several recreation areas and state parks surrounding Mauna Kea, including Kalopa State Recreation Area, Wailuku River State Park, and Akaka Falls State Park.

Visitors to these parks can enjoy birdwatching, hiking, and exploring beautiful waterfalls. Whether you climb to new heights or simply explore the land around this magnificent volcano, your time at Mauna Kea is sure to be a memorable part of your stay in Hawaii.

Quiet hikes and expansive views provide the perfect opportunity to process all you’ve learned in rehab and can inspire you to see the world around you in a new way. Hawaiian Island Recovery’s proven and experiential therapies, tranquil environment, and opportunity to explore our beautiful island provide you or your loved one with all you’ll need to embark on a successful recovery.

As one graduate explains,

To learn more about what you can expect from your stay with us, contact us today at 866-491-8009.