Hawaii’s Mauna Kea summit blanketed with 3 inches of snow

June 7, 2011 – HAWAII – Snow on the summit of Mauna Kea: it’s not exactly a rare sight during a Hawaiian winter. But how about in June? With just a few days removed from the official start of summer, the summit of the Big Island’s biggest mountain was covered by white after a passing thunderstorm dropped inches of ice at the 13,000 foot level. Noteworthy weather for Waimea resident Pam Akao, her daughter and her friends. “It was hailing in Waimea!” said Pam. “I don’t know if it has to do with the world climate change, or what.” The Mauna Kea Access Road was closed for a period this weekend, but by Sunday afternoon, the summit was open to the public once more. Employees on the roofs of the summit observatories worked to clear as much snow from the telescopes as possible before nightfall. The roads were in good condition, and although the mountain was quiet for a snow day, there were still some brave groups who ventured up. –Big Island News