Haleakala National Park preserves the outstanding volcanic landscape of the upper slopes of Haleakala on the island of Maui and protects the unique and fragile ecosystems of Kipahulu Valley, the scenic pools along Oheo Gulch and many rare and endangered species. Visitors to Haleakala National Park can explore the summit area and the Kipahulu area on the coast. Each area tells a unique story of the park, in nature and culture. Although the park extends from the summit of the mountain to the coast, the summit and the coastal areas are not directly connected by road. It will take two separate trips to see both areas.
A visit to the summit area will transport you to a world of dramatic scenery, a diversity of landscapes and hiking trails that explore geological, biological and cultural features. Many visitors enjoy the expansive views from the summit of Haleakala; at 10,023 feet it is the highest point on Maui. A drive through the summit area traverses many different landscapes, all home to exceptional native Hawaiian plants and wildlife. The most distinctive landscape feature in this area is the eroded valley carved into the mountain where recent signs of volcanic activity are evident.
A world away from the cinder desert of the summit’s eroded valley is the lush and fertile valley of Kipahulu. Along the coast ten miles south of Hana lies Kipahulu, a relatively recent addition to Haleakala National Park. The coastal area is lined with beautiful freshwater pools and waterfalls including the pools of Oheo, which are accessible by car. The high-elevation region of Kipahulu Valley protects the largest intact Hawaiian rain forest ecosystem teeming with native life. Steeped in the rich traditions of a living culture, Kipahulu is a place to learn about the life and land of the Hawaiian people through the generations.
Haleakala, originally part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, was redesignated as a separate entity in July 1961. Haleakala National Park was designated an International Biosphere Reserve in 1980. Of its 28,655 acres, 19,270 are wilderness.
History & Culture
Haleakala National Park was initially established as a unit of Hawaii National Park on August 1, 1916. Hawaii National Park had three units: the Summit area of Haleakala on Maui, Kilauea Volcano on the island of Hawaii and portions of Mauna Loa on the island of Hawaii. The park was established “as a public park or pleasure ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the United Statesand [to] provide for the preservation from injury of all timber, birds, mineral deposits and natural curiosities or wonders within said park and their retention in their natural condition as nearly as possible.”On September 13, 1960, Congress authorized the establishment of Haleakala National Park as a separate unit of the National Park System. This effectively redesignated the units of Hawaii National Park as two new national parks: Haleakala National Park on Maui and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii. These parks were to be administered in accordance with the National Park Service Organic Act of 1916, which created the National Park Service. Thus, the purpose of Haleakala National Park is further reflected in a key provision of the Organic Act-”to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”
Since 1960, Haleakala National Park has had several boundary expansions which enable the national park to continue its conservation work and meet its guiding mission of preservation. The pristine rainforest of Kipahulu Valley was authorized for addition to the park on March 26, 1951. The Kipahulu coastal area of ‘Ohe’o was authorized for addition to the park on January 10, 1969. The adjacent coastal area of Puhilele was added to the park in 1998. Ka’apahu was added to Haleakala National Park in February 1999.
On Oct 20, 1964 congress created the Wilderness Act which designated a large portion of Haleakala as “Wilderness”. Today of its 30,183 acres, 24,719 acres are designated wilderness.
Haleakala National Park now stretches from the summit of Haleakala to the sea. Today, visitors from around the world come to Haleakala National Park to experience those natural wonders that have inspired generations.
Nature & Science
When asked about Hawaiian volcanoes, most people imagine the Island of Hawaii and its eruptions at Kilauea or Mauna Loa volcanoes. But East Maui volcano has witnessed at least ten eruptions in the past 1,000 years and numerous eruptions have occurred there in the past 10,000 years. Thus, East Maui’s long eruptive history and recent activity indicate that the volcano will erupt in the future. Haleakala National Park is the most visited part of East Maui. The Hawaiian name Hale-a-ka-la (lit., house of the sun), is now nearly synonymous with the entire shield of East Maui volcano. Early Hawaiians, however, applied the name only to the summit area, the site where the demigod Maui snared the sun and forced it to slow its journey across the sky.
The oldest lava flow exposed on East Maui is about 1.1 million years in age. It is part of a sequence of flows emplaced near the end of shield building on East Maui. The time estimated to build a volcano from ocean floor to the end of its shield-building stage is thought by some scientists to be about 0.6 million years. East Maui volcano probably began its growth about 2.0 million years ago.
Volcanism of the past 30,000 years on East Maui has been focused along the southwest and east rift zones. These two volcanic axes together form one gently curving arc that passes from La Perouse Bay (southwest flank of East Maui) through Haleakala Crater to Hana on the east flank. The alignment continues east beneath the ocean as Haleakala Ridge, one of the longest rift zones along the Hawaiian Islands volcanic chain. The on-land segment of this lengthy volcanic line of vents is the zone of greatest hazard for future lava flows and cindery ash.
Recreation
Hiking
The summit area of Haleakala National Park has over 30 miles of hiking trails. Trails range from just 10 minutes to long overnight trips. You might hike in the native shrubland, looking for native forest birds and endemic plants, or in the aeolian cinder desert, exploring the geologic history of the summit
Getting There
By Plane
The main airport is in Kahului on central Maui. Major airlines fly from the U. S. mainland and inter-island flights are available between the inhabited Hawaiian Islands.
By Car
Haleakala National Park extends from the 10,023 foot summit of Haleakala down the southeast flank of the mountain to the Kipahulu coast near Hana. These two sections of the park are not directly connected by road, but both can be reached from Kahului. The summit area of Haleakala is a two hour drive from Kahului. The Kipahulu area of the park can be reached via Hana Highway, a curvy, often wet road, three to four hours from Kahului. Maps and Directions are available.
Traveler Facts
Contact Information
Haleakala National Park
P. O. Box 369
Makawao, Maui, HI 96768
Phone: 808-572-4400 (Visitor Information and Headquarters)
Phone: 808-248-7375 (Kipahulu)
Operating Hours & Seasons
Haleakala National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except for severe weather closures.
Weather/Climate
The weather in both the summit and Kipahulu areas of Haleakala National Park is unpredictable and can change quickly. Be prepared for a variety of conditions. Temperatures in the summit area commonly range between 32 and 65 degrees F; wind-chill can dramatically drop the temperature below freezing at anytime of year. In Kipahulu, high temperatures are common but can drop quickly with the frequent rain showers. Intense sunlight, thick clouds, heavy rain and high winds are possible at any time in either area of the park.
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