What is the highest mountain in the Hawaiian Islands?

The highest mountain in the Hawaiian Islands is Mauna Kea.

Mauna Kea is a dormant shield volcano on Hawaiʻi Island, also called the Big Island. Its summit rises 4,207.3 metres (13,803 feet) above sea level, making it the highest point in the Hawaiian archipelago and the state of Hawaii. The mountain formed over the Pacific Plate as the Hawaiian hotspot built a chain of volcanic islands.

Mauna Loa, its enormous neighbouring volcano, is often confused with Mauna Kea because Mauna Loa is larger by volume and covers more of Hawaiʻi Island. Haleakalā, another major Hawaiian volcano, is the highest peak on Maui, but it is lower than Mauna Kea. Kohala is also on Hawaiʻi Island, yet its summit is substantially lower.

Mauna Kea is also famous for astronomy. Its high, dry summit and exceptionally dark skies have made it one of Earth’s premier observatory sites. Measured from its underwater base, Mauna Kea is often described as taller than Mount Everest, although comparisons depend on how a mountain’s base is defined.