Best place for stargazing in Hawaii

Many people think that a quest for the best stargazing in the state must entail a pilgrimage to the top of Mauna Kea on the big island of Hawaii... after all, that's where they put the telescopes, right? But truth be told, one of the best places for stargazing in the whole state is located on the west end of the tiny island of Molokai. Why? Because it's a) dark and b) warm. You can stargaze from a very dark sky in shirtsleeves.

The accomodations are pretty unique, too. Molokai Ranch Kaupoa Beach Camp is composed of a few dozen tentalows which are a kind of canvas bunglow on a platform. The electricity (lights and fan only), and the water heater are self contained and solar powered. Pretty cool stuff.

Bishop Museum Mad About Science

This is a podcast from Bishop Museum's "Mad About Science" night, held on March 11, 2006. The moon was almost full, and it was cloudy on and off, but we still got pretty good views of the moon and Saturn.

What is Hui Kilolani

Hui Kilolani is the Hawaiian name of the Hawaiian Astronomical Society. The name means "group which watches the heavens" from the Hawaiian hui (group), kilo (to watch) and lani (heavens). Astronomers are also called kilohoku (starwatchers) from the Hawaiian hoku (star).

In ancient Hawaii the terms kilolani and kilohoku refered more to astrologers than astronomers, but they are used interchangeably today.