Excursions


Luau
Legends of the Pacific" Luau
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Doors open at 5:30pm
$110 per person

Join Rocks! workshop participants and enjoy an expansive luau buffet plus a Hawaiian Hula dinner show. Purchase tickets through the registration website for guaranteed seating through Wednesday, April 3rd. This rate includes a group discount, reserved tables, taxes and gratuities.



maunakea
Visit to Mauna Kea Summit Observatories
Saturday, April 13, 2013
10:00am-7:00pm
$115 (includes transport to and from the summit and lunch). Must be paid in advance at registration.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

  • To make the most of your trip to Hawaii, we have organized a tour of two of the observatories at the Mauna Kea Summit. The tour is scheduled for Saturday April 13th, 2013, the day following the conference. The two observatories are Subaru Telescope and the Submillimeter Array.
  • The tour will depart from the Hilton Waikoloa Hotel at 10:00 AM and return at 7:00 PM. Lunch will be provided at the cafeteria in Hale Pohaku which is the mid-level support facility for all the telescopes on Mauna Kea. The tour will make a brief stop at the Visitor’s Center on the way up.
  • This tour is limited to 35 participants on a first-come first-served basis. Please sign up as soon as possible.
  • VISITING MAUNA KEA: The summit of Mauna Kea which is at almost 14000 ft above sea-level can be hazardous and requires visitors to be prepared and cautious. Please read the Safety Document of the Subaru telescope.
  • For safety reasons, people under the age of 16, people who are pregnant, and people who have physical conditions that recommend against travel to high altitude, may not participate in the tour.
  • For further information on visiting Mauna Kea, please see the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Center website.
  • Those who would like join in this tour should plan to stay an extra day and can depart no sooner than Sunday, April 14th. The hotel conference rates would still be applicable.
  • A minimum of 10 participants are required in order for the tour to proceed. In case this number is not reached, the tour will be cancelled and the money refunded.



whales 
  
Breakfast with the Whales
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
8:00am - 10:00am
$95.20 adults; $47.36 children (6-12); Children under 6 cruise free.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     


  • Your Breakfast with the Whales experience begins with pick-up is at 7:15am from the Hilton Lower Lobby.  Boat departs from Abay, beach loading (meaning, you will get your feet wet entering the boat).
  • Includes a delicious continental breakfast including our own Ohana Malie 100% Kona Coffee.
  • To make reservations, call  808-886-6666  (#118) and speak to Preston. Leave a message if he doesn’t answer and he’ll call you back. Or you can email him at pwoods@hawaiioceansports.com.  Mention confirmation #2395855 under NRAO.


dolphin Dolphin Quest
April 5-15, 2013 (Special offer dates)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

  • Dolphin Quest is right on the Hilton Waikoloa Village property, and is a unique opportunity to get in the water and touch, swim with and even kiss a dolphin!  You won't want to miss out on this chance of a lifetime.  We have secured discounts for 2013 Rocks! participants (and their guests). 
  • Book your encounter through this link.
  • Space is subject to availability at time of booking.  The program link will be available up to 10 days before the requested booking date; after that, guests will need to call in a reservation (800.248.3316). 
  • Special offer is available only for the Encounter dates between April 5-15, 2013.


Excursions and Activities

There are a plethora of things to do on the Big Island, some within walking distance of the hotel and others accessible by rental car. We will provide more information in the next few months. In the meantime, be sure to check out the hotel website for activities onsite (snorkeling, exercise classes, shopping, spa, tennis, golf, kid’s club). Keep in mind that National Rental Car has a desk at the hotel for daily rentals as well.


Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics (ASIAA) is a Taiwanese National institute and centers in Academia Sinica aspiring to be at the forefront of astronomical research.    The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.