Ka'u Star Gazing

Photos by Andrew Richard Hara

On Friday, May 3, 2013, Ka'u Coffee Mill offered a unique opportunity for event participants to not only visit Makanau, a Hawaiian historic sacred site and lookout place, but to taste a selection of wine and beer as they star gazed. 

'Imiloa astronomer Shawn Laatsch gave a lecture on stars from Makanau as the sun set. While the clouds, which brought much needed rain to the coffee farms, prevented many stars from being seen that night, the astronomer used the sky as a backdrop for teaching the group about Ka'u’s night skies. 

Before dark, the group was able to see the view from Makanau over ranch lands and onto a long stretch of undeveloped coastline. 

The name of the tabletop mountain, Makanau, incorporates the Hawaiian word for eyes, “maka.” 

Participants paid $35 per person in advance and received Ka'u Coffee, wine, beer and snacks.    

This event might be held again next year so check back later for a date!