Mauna Kea Ice Age Reserve

Mauna Kea Ice Age Reserve is a protected natural area spread across the southern slopes of Mauna Kea volcano, featuring stark lava and cinder landscapes at high elevation. The land shows barren volcanic landforms with little vegetation, rising to about 13,000 feet above sea level.

The place was an important location in ancient times where Hawaiians extracted basalt from rock to make tools. This early use was later officially recognized, and the area was established as a protected zone in the late 20th century.

The site, known locally as Keanakākoʻi in Hawaiian, holds sacred spaces, trails, and rock carvings that show how indigenous people used and honored this mountain. Visitors can still see these marks today and understand what this place has always meant to the community.

Access is challenging because the high altitude can affect the body, so good preparation is important. Visitors should arrive early in the day and bring warm clothing, as conditions are cool and windy up there.

The area contains a rare alpine lake, the only one of its kind on the Hawaiian islands, forming an unusual water source in the dry volcanic landscape. This lake supports specialized insect species found nowhere else in the world.

Location: Hawaii County

Inception: 1981

Website: http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/nars/reserves/big-island/maunakeaiceage

GPS coordinates: 19.80030,-155.46800

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:04