The stargazing program at the Mauna Kea visitor center is becoming a victim of its own success.
The stargazing program at the Mauna Kea visitor center is becoming a victim of its own success.
Citing costs of operating the popular program each night, the Maunakea Observatories Support Services announced Monday it will limit guided stargazing to four nights a week starting April 17. The visitor center at 9,200 feet will remain open until 10 p.m. each night.
The program’s new schedule will be Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, weather permitting.
Stewart Hunter, support services general manager, said he doesn’t have enough staff to manage the ever-increasing number of visitors for the free events, which include telescopes for the public to use and astronomy talks.
“We’re seeing more and more crowds up there,” he said, which he attributed to improvements to Saddle Road. For the past three weeks, Hunter said he hired off-duty police officers to help coordinate parking.
Including an overflow parking area, the visitor center can accommodate 115 vehicles. But vehicle counts can exceed 200 during peak hours.
By reducing the number of stargazing nights, Hunter said he can increase the number of people working during those evenings to assist visitors. Employees and volunteers are currently overtaxed, he said.
“It’s like showing up to a crowded restaurant with only one waiter,” Hunter said.
Additionally, overcrowding near the narrow summit access road can create safety issues, he said. A guard rail recently was installed to limit parking along the shoulder.
The visitor center and its programs are funded through contributions from the Mauna Kea observatories and tour companies.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.