University of Hawaiʻi News is advising local residents to exercise caution when traveling to the summit of Maunakea.
The university reminds residents that the summit of Maunakea is one of the most dangerous places in Hawaiʻi because of its extreme altitude, weather conditions and remote location. In the event of emergencies, rescue services may be two hours away and cell phone coverage is unreliable.
The reminder comes following a weekend during which four people required medical attention while visiting Maunakea's summit areas. Two individuals were injured, one seriously, in separate incidents, and two other individuals suffered from altitude sickness, according to the Maunakea Rangers from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Center for Maunakea Stewardship.
Two car accidents were also reported as a result of increased summit traffic after a heavy snowfall. Drivers are advised to be cautious when driving to the summit. The first five miles of the summit access road is unpaved and has conditions that make driving difficult including steep inclines, poor traction, narrow sections where two way traffic is not possible, blind curves and rocks on the road.