Questions or comments? We'd love to hear them!
Haleakala - Hawaii
Descriptive:
Featuring one of the largest volcanic craters known, at just over 10,000 feet above sea level, Haleakala National Park covers over 28,000 acres, most of which lies in the crater's valley, on the exotic island of Maui in the Hawaiian islands. This lunar landscape is stunning, with the barren fields of past volcanic activity, set in a lush tropical setting. This large volcanic crater, and the mountain surrounding it, was known as the House of the Sun to early Hawaiian inhabitants; local legend tells how the God, Maui, climbed this mountain to capture the sun, forcing it to move more slowly through the sky, giving his people more hours in the day.
The most stunning plant of Haleakala is the silversword, a rare plant with leaves like silver daggers. After living from 5 to 20 years, the silversword grows a long stalk of 100 to 500 flower heads; as these seeds develop, the plant slowly dies. The silversword is a member of the sunflower family.
The State Bird, the Hawaiian goose, or nene, inhabits the Park, and can often be found feeding on the grasses at Palikea. The tiny red 'i'iwi bird with its long curved beak is harder to spot.
Vegetation:
Silversword
Rushes
Fern
Primrose,
Hawaiian raspberry
Wildlife:
Hawaiian goose, or nene
'I'iwi bird
Hawaiian short-eared owl
Finch
Partridge
Mynah bird
Mongoose
Wild goat
Key locations:
Leleiwi, Kalahaku and Red Hill Overlooks all provide good looks at the crater. Puu Ulaula is the very summit of the crater's rim.
Bottomless Pit can be seen along the Halemauu Trail; the pit is not truly bottomless at sixty-five feet deep, but it is cautioned, nevertheless, to stay back from the edge.
Waimoku Falls marks a serene area on the east side of the park, with an oasis of tropical forest, where bright blue waters head toward the ocean.
For an excellent view of the crater, the Crater Observatory overlooks the crater with displays and background history on the island. Other excellent vantage points into the crater from the rim are Leleiwi, Kalahaku and Red Hill Overlooks.
A walk through the crater valley can be enjoyed through a common loop: a walk down Sliding Sands Trail to return on Halemauu Trail. Due to high altitudes, a return trip up Sliding Sands Trail can be excessively strenuous. This can be done in a day, but two days are recommended for this extensive hike, which varies in distance depending on route chosen.
Please note: If swimming inland in the park, be aware of rising water levels; if the water begins to rise, get out fast! A stream can turn into a raging torrent in minutes.
Activities:
Camping
Swimming
Scuba diving
Snorkeling
Trails:
Halemauu Trail
Silversword Loop Trail
Sliding Sands Trail
