What to Expect

Upon arrival at the beachside stargazing site within Ko Olina Resort, guests are welcomed by Greg McCartney, an experienced astronomer and storyteller with a deep passion for both science and Polynesian navigation. As twilight settles over the Pacific, the program begins with an orientation of the night sky. Using a powerful green laser that appears to reach directly into space, Greg outlines the constellations visible above, highlighting how Polynesian voyagers once relied on these very stars to cross thousands of miles of open ocean.

Guests will learn the Hawaiian names for the stars and constellations and hear how different cultures around the world interpret the same night sky. The experience becomes interactive, often incorporating the cultural backgrounds of guests in attendance.

The evening then shifts to telescope viewing. With the aid of state-of-the-art computerized telescopes, you'll get close-up views of the moon’s cratered surface, Saturn’s rings, Jupiter and its colorful bands and moons, and depending on the night, distant galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae. The telescopes are GPS-calibrated for precision, offering clear and detailed visuals rarely seen without professional equipment.

During the viewing sessions, conversations naturally evolve based on the group’s interests. Greg shares insights into the life cycles of stars, the structure of the universe, and even the myths and scientific theories that have shaped human understanding of the cosmos.

To enhance the visual experience, a digital camera telescope also projects live deep space images onto a screen for all to see. These high-resolution images, captured in real-time, can be transferred to your phone to take home as a digital keepsake of your night among the stars.

Whether you're a stargazing enthusiast or simply curious about what lies beyond our world, this experience offers a captivating and unforgettable look into the universe.

Included

• Guided stargazing experience with professional astronomer Greg McCartney
• Use of high-powered GPS telescopes
• Laser-guided star navigation and constellation identification
• Cultural storytelling with a focus on Polynesian star voyaging
• Real-time deep space imaging projected on-screen
• Digital space images available via phone transfer