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Mauna Kea | Summit area

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Flight Hilo-Honolulu, view to Mauna Kea (4207 m) in the foreground and to Mauna Loa (4169 m) in the left background. The dormant shield volcano of Mauna Kea is the highest summit of Hawai'i and the highest mountain in the world when taking its submarine basis as reference. It is a sacred place for the native Hawai'ians. Due to the extremely clear skies prevailing in the summit area of Mauna Kea, several astronomic observatories are operated in this exposed place.