Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano standing 4,207 m (13,802 ft) above sea level. Most of the mountain is underwater. When measured from the sea floor, Mauna Kea is over 10,000 m (33,000 ft) tall and is the tallest mountain on Earth.

With its high elevation, dry environment, and stable airflow, Mauna Kea’s summit is one of the best sites in the world for astronomical observation. Since the creation of an access road in 1964, 13 telescopes funded by 11 countries have been constructed at the summit.

In Hawaiian mythology, the summit of Mauna Kea was seen as a place where benevolent spirits reside – as well as Poli’ahu, one of the four goddesses of snow.