Haleakala is Hawaiian for House of the Sun and it is from this mountain top that the god Maui held captive the sun until the sun agreed to pass more slowly over the island allowing the people more time for their tasks. Both sun rise and sun set are considered to produce excellent views and
people travel the winding road that leads to the top in darkness to witness these events. The summit is often as much as thirty degrees colder than a the base so visitors should dress prepared for cold.
At 10,023 feet above sea level, Haleakala is the second tallest mountain if measured to its base far below the sea. It is still an active volcano, just dormant for the past 400 or so years. Map comparisons suggested the last eruption was in 1790, but recent scientific studies suggest the last
eruption was in the 1600s. Haleakala is a shield volcano and forms over 75% of the Island of Maui. From the summit a large valley can be seen to the east that measures 7 miles across, 2 miles wide, and about 2,600 feet deep. It is believed that this is a true erosional valley rather than a caldera which is a collapse of a volcano's top. The valley reaches the sea through two gaps, the Kaupo Gap to the south and the Ko'olau Gap to the north. The valley walls are covered with later cinder cones and the entire valley is colored in shades of reds, browns, tans, and grays. At least seven eruptions have occured in the last thousand years in the valley. Clouds often hang against the mountain at about 5,000 feet but continuing above the fog, the view clears.
Haleakala National Park was originally part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and became its own park in 1961. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (link) is now confined to the Big Island.
The park covers 30,183 acres park, including 24,719 acres of wilderness, some of it closed to entry. The park includes the summit, valley, and three narrow strips leading to the sea to the south and southeast. The summit is actually near the western park boundary and the observatories a few hundred feet west are outside the park. Most of the park follows the valleys to the sea. The two southeastern coastal sections are most easily reached by Hana Road traveling beyond the Town of Hana. These include Kipahulu Visitor Center, several water falls, and the seven pools.
The souther strip (west of the other two) is more easily reached from the west and the road between is rough and undeveloped.
From the Visitor Center near the summit are numerous trails into the valley and cabins are available but can not be reached by car. Because of the high altitude, hikers should be prepared and allow at least a full day to explore the valley. In addition to the summit and Visitor Center,
there are tow other overlooks along the road, Kalahaku and Leleiwi. Further down the slope is Park Headquarters Visitor Center and near the park entrance is Hosmer Grove. Hosner Grove is an interpretive trail through both natural and introduced plants. From Kipahulu Visitor Center
(off Hana Road) there is a 3.7 miles round-trip Pipiwai Trail to the base of Waimoku Falls at 400 feet. The trail also passes the Falls at Makahiku at 184 feet. Or the shorter (1/2 mile round-trip) trail to the seven pools where Pipiwai Stream enters the ocean.
The park is home to many unique species of plants and animals including 'Ahinahina (Silverswords) which are specially adapted to the mountain and are endangered because of illegal collecting. Eighty-five species of Hawaiian birds are extinct and thirty-two are on the endangered species list.
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