Elizabeth Weintraub and Aidan Colton at Mauna Loa Observatory

For years I have wanted to tour the Mauna Loa Observatory and yesterday we finally had the chance. Although not really open to the public, it is possible to request a private tour, which we arranged several weeks prior to coming to Hawaii. The Mauna Loa Observatory is one of 6 atmospheric baseline stations under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). I should point out that President Trump wants to cut funding by 30% to this important federal organization. Probably because it is based in science, which our President does not believe is real.

You might ask what do they do at the Mauna Loa Observatory? They monitor and record atmospheric changes through constant measurements of greenhouse gases, which include carbon dioxide, aerosols, nitrous oxide, stratospheric ozone, solar radiation, among other compounds. The chart that tracks annual carbon dioxide in our atmosphere begins in the 1950s, with a line that starts at the left and rises to the right at slightly more than a 45-degree angle. Which is disturbing.

Are you aware that the ozone layer still has a giant hole in it at the South Pole? It can fix itself if we stop contributing to releasing CFCs. The Montreal Protocol in 1987 banned things like aerosol propellants, i.e. shaving cream and hairspray, to try to stop the destruction.

They do more cool things at the Mauna Loa Observatory, too. In addition to studying carbon cycles, there are different groups who study stuff like ozone, solar radiation, aerosol and halocarbons.

We got to enter the small observatory dome on the premises. Aidan Colton, an atmospheric scientist on staff at the Mauna Loa Observatory and tour coordinator, manually rotated the dome. He showed us how the opening can be controlled manually as well. Across the way is the microwave antennae facing Mauna Kea. It was a strange feeling to be above the clouds yet attached to earth.

Let me tell you, if you decide to take this tour, forget what you have heard about the Mauna Loa Observatory Road. It is completely paved. Sure, you’ve got your death markers every few miles or so for people who met their fate driving faster than 20 MPH or skateboarding down the road, hard to say. It features blind curves as well, which adds to the excitement and adventure of getting to your destination. It’s the journey.

The elevation at Mauna Loa Observatory exceeds 11,000 feet. Some people can get altitude sickness. A smart person noted elevation marks on the road’s pavement. The elevation changes are evident in the landscaping, like mini climates on some of the Galapagos Islands. It’s hard not to notice different climate zones as you climb. First, there is vegetation and trees. Then different layers from various eruptions. Mauna Loa, the largest volcano in the world, has erupted 33 times that we know of, the last time in 1984.

Noting the various lava flows is fascinating. I began to think of the structure and integrity as food. Some flows are reminiscent of brown sugar. Another area looked like dark chocolate chunks, followed by semi-sweet mini pieces of chocolate. As though a giant Caterpillar backhoe dug up nature except the earth herself created this. Pseudo Irish Burren. Red sugar sprinkles over white bark candy. It’s absolutely gorgeous, still, pristine, not a sound but the wind, the sort of experience that can make one choke up in the presence of its raw beauty.

Below are many photos of our journey to visit Mauna Loa Observatory. I hope you enjoy them. And, my commercial, if you’re ever in need of a Sacramento Realtor, I am a top producer who consistently ranks among the top 10 agents in town with 43 years in the business. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759, Lyon Real Estate.