Oldest paragliding school, since 1994 in Hawaii
Best safety record in Hawaii. The school offers paragliding training, private lessons, cross country guiding and high altitude flight instruction in Honolulu and the Big Island
email: flyhawaiiparagliding@gmail.com 808.315.6213 Achim Hagemann
A look at snow covered Mauna Loa in the distance from the air in a paraglider. Mauna Loa has never been flown.
Mauna Loa is one of five volcanoes that form the Island of Hawaii in the U.S. state of Hawaiʻi in the Pacific Ocean. The largest subaerial volcano in both mass and volume, Mauna Loa has historically been considered the largest volcano on Earth, dwarfed only by Tamu Massif. Wikipedia
Elevation: 13,678′
Elevation: 13,678′
Elevation: 13,678′
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| Paragliding Mauna Kea, Hawaii. Just a little bit intimidated before launch. |
Mauna Kea has been a hang gliding flying site since the 1970's. Back in the 70's and 80's pilots got up to 18k and flown to Kona from the summit of Mauna Kea. Hang glider pilots have taken off from near the NASA observatory and landed at Waimea airport back in the 90's before the summit became restricted. Which is a shame because Mauna Kea has some of the best soaring conditions in the world. Mauna Kea has the highest launch sites in Hawaii, strongest thermals, highest cloud base, biggest lapse rate.
- Paragliding is officially not sanctioned on Mauna Kea, the main access road to the summit and the summit itself is off limit. The rangers are nice but they will stop you and give you a warning the first time around. However there are several spots at different locations that have been used in the past.
- South West Launch, Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
- Paragliding at 12000 f. Mauna Kea. Hawaii
- Mauna Kea Wave in a glider up to 30k.
- Mauna Kea Paragliding high altitude wilderness flying.
From the warm Hawaiian Pacific near my house to the snow of Mauna Kea at almost 14000f. in 90 minutes.
Not recommended though, everybody stops at the visitor center at 9000 f. at least for an hour.
Not recommended though, everybody stops at the visitor center at 9000 f. at least for an hour.
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Paragliding Mauna Kea, Hawaii. Gaining altitude after launch. |
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| Paragliding Mauna Kea, Hawaii. The view from launch. |
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| Hike up to S.W. Lauch at 12000 f. |