Haleakalā

With legends as dramatic as its breath-taking views, this dormant volcanic crater is sacred to Native Hawaiians as a realm where gods dwell and a location of priestly activity for millennia. Whatever your ideal vacation, there are many ways to be enthralled by Haleakalā National Park while respecting its cultural importance and ecological fragility.

Views are paramount in a place meaning “House of the Sun.” In fact, Haleakalā sunrises are so spectacular that too many visitors were arriving at the ideal pinnacle from which to greet the new day. To protect Haleakalā, sunrise viewing reservations must now be made in advance at recreation.gov—presenting an excellent opportunity to follow the local practice of setting intentions when visiting a place respectfully. The extra planning is worth it to experience transcendent beauty as the sun ignites the sky with new shades of color each dawn. On a clear day, look out for the neighboring islands; you might be able to see Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i, O‘ahu, Kaho‘olawe and Hawai‘i Island for an unforgettable Maui memory. Though it is less popular than sunrise, sunset atop Haleakalā exudes passion and romance as night arrives through an epic display of hues and shadows, perfect for lovers. The moon and stars light the clear sky, unclouded by city lights.

Nature enthusiasts will delight to observe unique flora and fauna on a guided hike along Haleakalā’s protected trails. See rare ‘āhinahina (silversword) plants along the volcanic rock or maybe even nēnē (Hawaiian geese), Hawai‘i’s state bird. Thanks to environmental protections, the nēnē are still a threatened species but are no longer endangered—please do your part and give the nēnē space and do not feed them. For a complete Haleakalā excursion, don’t forget to explore the base of the park, in the Kīpahulu area. You can even arrange a camping trip to fully appreciate the majesty of the “House of the Sun.” While adventure abounds, it is important to remember that Haleakalā is sacred to Native Hawaiians and should be treated with the same veneration as a temple or other place of worship. Please do not litter or leave marked trails.