HONOLULU — Snow fell on Hawaii’s tallest peak this week, briefly turning the mountaintop into a winter wonderland. The summit area of Mauna Kea on the Big Island got about 2 inches of white powder. But it’s not unusual for snow to fall at the higher elevations on Mauna Kea during the wetter, winter months. “Combination of cold temperatures and moisture equals snow when it’s below freezing,” Ballard said. Centuries-old stories say Mauna Kea is the first-born son of the sky father and earth mother.

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