Skies over the Big Island of Hawaii are usually sunny and blue, with splendid sunsets and starry nights.
But at breakfast time on July 11, the sky will be black when, Hawaiians say, "pouli holo oko a o ka la," or "darkness sails across the sun."It's a total solar eclipse. It will occur at 7:28 a.m., and for 4 minutes, 13 seconds will cut a swath of darkness 100 miles wide across the Hawaiian Islands.
The total eclipse is visible only from the Big Island. Other islands will experience a partial eclipse. Maui, for example, will be in 96.5 percent eclipse, while Kauai will experience 92 percent eclipse.
If you can't get to Hawaii, with its near-perfect climatic conditions, the next-best place for Americans to view the eclipse is along the path it follows through Mexico. For example, at LaPaz totality begins at 11:48 a.m. and lasts for 6 minutes, 20 seconds. In Guadalajara totality begins at 1:09 p.m. and lasts 6 minutes, 16 seconds. In Mexico City, totality begins at 1:21 p.m. and lasts for 6 minutes, 33 seconds. The last point in Mexico where a total eclipse can be seen is at Tapachula at 1:46 p.m. and last 6 minutes, 21 seconds.
But observers on the Big Island, wearing proper eye protection, will see - without the aid of a telescope - bright spots of sunlight called "Bailey's Beads," just as the moon covers the last sliver of the sun.
Totally blocked, the sun looks like the blackest hole you can imagine. It is surrounded by a blazing corona formed by million-degree Fahrenheit gasses escaping the sun's surface.
It's a thrilling, fascinating sight.
The moon will start to cross the sun at 6:30 a.m. and will be out of the way by 8:37 a.m. A total eclipse of such duration is not expected for another 142 years.
Despite the fact that the entire event takes just slightly more than two hours, thousands of tourists - astronomy buffs and curiosity seekers alike - are trekking to the Big Island's Kohala-Kona Coast, where totality is longest, to witness the uncommon phenomenon.
Big Island resorts catering to the eclipse report rooms are still available for the week of July 8. Most hotels require a minimum stay of five to seven nights.
The deluxe Mauna Kea Beach Resort, near Mauna Kea's five astronomical observatories, offers one of the island's best viewing sites. Special lectures for guests will be given by Dr. Hale Bradt, an M.I.T. physics professor, and by Olivier Le Fevre, staff astronomer at the Canada France Hawaii Telescope atop Mauna Kea Mountain.
"A total solar eclipse is one of the most beautiful and stunning events the human eye can witness," says Le Fevre. "During totality, you feel the overwhelming power of the universe for a few minutes."
The Mauna Kea program is filled out with week-long art shows and dance performances with eclipse themes. Mountain view rooms facing in the direction of the eclipse are still available, at $250 per night for two including breakfast and dinner and airport pickup. A minimum stay of seven nights is required.
The Hyatt Regency Waikoloa has rooms available beginning July 7, 8 or 9, with a five-night minimum stay. Room rates are from $265 per night, double. Lectures will be given by Eddie Mahoney, the hotel's astronomy manager. Several 9-inch reflector telescopes with special filters will be available to guests.
Other exclusive resorts have available rooms as well, but the less expensive hotel rooms on the Big Island are already booked.
Air transportation to Hawaii is also heavily booked, but there are seats still available. Delta Airlines, for example, still has seats on flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Honolulu.
Open flights from Honolulu to Kona on the Big Island are harder to find. Aloha Airlines still has some seats, but many flights are booked. If demand warrants, the airline may add flights for eclipse travel days.
Meanwhile, Aloha Airlines' spokesman Stephanie Ackerman says the airline will try to accommodate passengers at their preferred travel times. She advises travelers to wait-list themselves on their first choice flights and book flights that are currently open. That will help the airline to determine if and when extra flights should be added.
This total eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to marvel at the universe's majesty, but safety is of the essence. Experts warn that looking directly at any phase of the eclipse may cause severe eye damage unless you use the proper filter equipment. Tested equipment will be available at hotels with eclipse programs and at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu.
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For more information: the Big Island Eclipse Information Center (1-808-329-8484) set up by the Kohala Coast Resort Association and the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce.
Mauna Kea Beach Resort (1-800-882-6060)
Hyatt Regency Waikoloa (1-800-233-1234)
Delta Airlines (1-800-221-1212)
Aloha Airlines (1-800-367-5250)