The Future of Cosmology with Clusters of Galaxies
Travel
Assistance in making your travel arrangements is available through the Institute for Astronomy Travel Office. Contact John White by e-mail ifatravel@ifa.hawaii.edu or by direct telephone (+1) 808-956-6072 and inform him that you are attending the Kona Cluster Conference. John is an experienced agent who can help you get a convenient route at the lowest possible fare.
Although Hawaiian Airlines does have limited direct service from West Coast US citites to Kona, routing from most destinations is done through Honolulu International Airport (HNL).
International scientists and travelers who require entry visas should verify the specific requirements with foreign affairs authorities in their country, or with US consulates. See Embassy World.com for more information
Visitor Information
Climate . The Big Island is truly a natural wonder. Visitors here will find everything from stony deserts, to tropical forests, to high alpine zones, all on just one island. The Big Island in fact offers an opportunity to experience 11 of the world's 13 climate zones. Even with all this, the island is still a work in progress, with Kilauea adding to and reshaping it every day, and as we'll see, the volcano even effects the weather.
Because Hawaiian weather varies very little throughout the year, the weather you'll experience on the Big Island depends more on location than time of year. The wide variety of climates and the resulting range of temperatures and rainfall across the island are mid to low 70s (23.9-26.1 C) during the winter months of November to April.
On the dry southwest side is the Kona Kohala coast, the average summer daytime high temperatures are from 77-80 degrees F (25.0-26.7 C), with night-time lows of 61-64 degrees (16.1-17.8 C). Daytime temperatures in the winter here are usually 76-79 degrees (24.4-26.1 C), with nighttime lows of 59-62 degrees (15.0-16.7 C). You generally can count on getting a lot of sun in the Kona area, where average monthly rainfall around Kailua-Kona is less than 1 inch in the summer and 1-3 inches during winter months.
To the north is Waimea, in the heart of the Big Island's paniolo (cowboy) country. Located up slope from the beach areas, Waimea's 2,600 foot elevation is slightly cooler, with summer daytime high temperatures of 74-77 degrees (23.3-25.0 C) and nighttime lows of 53-58 degrees (11.7-14.4 C). In the winter daytime highs here drop to 72-75 degrees (22.2-23.9 C); with nighttime lows of 51-54 degrees (10.6-12.2 C). Being in the rain shadow of the mountains, Waimea gets only 1-3 inches of rain per month in the summer and 3-5 inches per month in the winter.
VISITOR INFORMATION:
East Side of the Island:
- Akaka Falls
- Big Island Candies
- Coconut Island
- Farmers Market (Wed/Sat)
- Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- Liliuokalani Japanese Garden
- Lyman Museum
- Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory
- Nani Mau Gardens
- Panaewa Rainforest Zoo
- Pacific Tsunami Museum
- Rainbow Falls
- Wailoa Art Center
West Side of the Island:
From Hawaii Island Electronic Village (Click Tourism)From Agricultural Tourism
- Atlantis Submarines
- Big Island Visitors Bureau (Click on the volcano.)
- Body Glove Cruises
- Capt. Zodiac Raft Adventures
- Hawaii Air Tours
- Amy BH Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden
- Kohala Eco-Adventures
- Kahua Ranch
- Kona Historical Societys Kona Coffee Living History Farm
- Parker Ranch
- Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory
You may also wish to view the following Web sites for additional information about Hawaii:
- Aloha from Hawaii
- Aloha! Island Source
- Coffeetimes
- Downtown Hilo Association
- Geckoland Big Island Travel Guide
- Hawaii Ecotourism Association
- Hawaii Island Museums
- Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau:
- Volcano Gallery
Aloha and A Hui Hou! (Travel Safely)