Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the Spanish island of La Palma - but it is still arguably the most productive obser-
vatory in the world. In the past few years it has been the primary instrument for
some of the greatest breakthroughs in astronomy, including:
»
The 2011 Nobel Prize-winning discovery that the expansion of the universe is ac-
celerating.
»
The 2012 Crafoord Prize for the discovery of a supermassive black hole at the
center of our Milky Way galaxy.
»
The first image of a planet outside our own solar system, and the subsequent dis-
covery of more than half of all known such 'exoplanets'.
»
The 2012 discovery of a small planet in the so-called Goldilocks Zone (where tem-
peratures are just right for liquid water, essential for life) of a solar system orbiting
the closest Sun-like star to Earth, Tau Ceti. Do you hear that thumping sound, Dr
Arroway?
Information
North Hawaii Community Hospital
(
885-4444; 67-1125 Mamalahoa Hwy)
Emergency
services available 24 hours.
Post Office
(
800-275-8777; 67-1197 Mamalahoa Hwy;
8am-4:30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-noon
Sat)
Address all Waimea mail to 'Kamuela'.
DON'T MISS
MAUNA KEA POLO CLUB
After a long hiatus the Big Island once again has polo, and the field alone is worth
the trip. The games are sponsored by
Mauna Kea Polo Club
(
960-8223 Jed;
www.maunakeapoloclub.com
; adult/child under 12 $5/free; 1pm Sun Oct-mid-Dec)
, and held 6.4
miles up Saddle Rd from Waimea on exclusive Waikii Ranch. More Big Island than
Long Island, they are very low key, with BBQ eats and T-shirts for sale, and tailgat-
ing encouraged. It's the perfect excuse for a beautiful drive and picnic, and you
might even learn something about polo. Right at Saddle Rd mile marker 59; the
gate house attendant will let you in.
