At 10,023 feet above sea level, this dormant volcano is the stage for a breathtaking range of landscapes—and skyscapes. Visit Haleakalā National Park to experience the beauty and natural splendor of Haleakalā, the gem of Maui. Visitors frequently come to the summit of the volcano to watch the sunrise and/or sunset. Using the preliminary dates for Haleakala flows, only 8.7 square miles (23 km2) of lava flows have been emplaced in the last 900 years. [12]. In the 1980s, local biologist Sam Gon III discovered 31 tardigrade species here and described Haleakalā as the "richest place on Earth for tardigrades". The astronomers on Haleakalā are concerned about increasing light pollution as Maui's population grows. The program is in collaboration with defense contractors in the Maui Research and Technology Park in Kihei. [2] A Normal status is used to designate typical volcanic activity in a non-eruptive phase. This is aggravated by the fact that trails lead downhill from parking areas into the crater. The creation of Haleakalā National Park in 1916 was within one week of the National Park Service’s inception which is quite remarkable considering how slow government still moves today. 1951 – Kipahulu Valley annexed to park. High elevation (10,023 feet at the summit), lack of light and environmental pollution, and dynamic weather patterns make Haleakalā an ideal skywatching location. Haleakalā's summit experiences a cold-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen classification Csc), one of the few locations in the world with this climate type. Haleakalā National Park is an American national park located on the island of Maui in the state of Hawaii. Sign at Haleakala National Park indicating trail to Pa Ka'oao, Keonehe'ehe'e and Sliding Sands. In comparison, approximately 43 square miles (110 km2) of Hualalai are covered with flows 900 years old or younger and approximately 104 square miles (270 km2) on Kilauea and 85 square miles (220 km2) on Mauna Loa are covered by lavas less than 200 years old. [5] The park area was designated an International Biosphere Reserve in 1980. 2,433 Reviews #1 of 23 things to do in Maui. Horseback riders can experience the Hawaiian culture as they travel across a tropical, volcanic landscape that's surrounded by lush forests, waterfalls and streams that stretch out … The Park Service charges a vehicle entrance fee of $30 (US). Thus, Haleakala is a distant fourth in coverage rates.[7]. This part of the park is accessed by Hawaii State Road 378. Scientists believe that Haleakalā's crater was formed when the headwalls of two large erosional valleys merged at the summit of the volcano. Browse our largest collection of experiences. With its moon-like surface and high elevation, Haleakal ā National Park is one of the region’s most unique habitats. [17], Entrance of the Mount Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii, Pa Kaoao White Hill Trail Mount Haleakala, Maui, Hawaii, List of national parks of the United States, "Listing of acreage as of December 31, 2011", "National Park Service: Historic Listings of NPS Officials", "Biosphere Reserve Information: United States of America: Hawaiian Islands", "Legends of Maui: A Demi-God of Polynesia and His Mother Hina", "Hawaiian National Park Language Correction Act of 2000 (2000 - S. 939)", "Youngest lava flows on East Maui probably older than A.D. 1790", "Maui's Boy Scouts mark 40-year link to nene", "Environmental Factors - Haleakalā National Park (U.S. National Park Service)", "Haleakala Silverswords - Haleakalā National Park (U.S. National Park Service)", Haleakala National Park Roads, Pukalani, Maui County, HI, Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park, Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haleakalā_National_Park&oldid=994907573, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 18 December 2020, at 04:32. USGS Volcano Warning Scheme for the United States, List of mountain peaks of the United States, "Youngest lava flows on East Maui probably older than A.D. 1790", "How do Maui lava-flow hazard zone numbers compare to those on Hawaii island? spacecraft, monitoring satellites, rockets, and laser technology) rather than celestial objects. [4] These last flows from the southwest rift zone of Haleakalā make up the large lava deposits of the Ahihi Kina`u/La Perouse Bay area of South Maui. The Haleakalā Ranger station, at a lower elevation, lies in the subtropical highland climate zone. Haleakala National Park is a beautiful place to visit in Maui. The park preserves a stunning volcanic crater and surrounding mountain. Haleakala has produced numerous eruptions in the last 30,000 years, including in the last 500 years. One of its missions, the Maui Space Surveillance System (MSSS), tracks satellites and debris orbiting the Earth. Hike across the crater to Halemau'u Trail. There are a few tour guides on Maui that pick people up at their hotels, and outfit them with a bicycle to glide down the road from just outside the National Park boundary (starting at 6500 ft altitude). These birds were then kept in captivity to increase the population. Named after Haleakalā, a dormant volcano within its boundaries, the park covers an area of 33,265 acres (52.0 sq mi; 134.6 km2),[1] of which 24,719 acres (38.6 sq mi; 100.0 km2) is a wilderness area. A road to the summit was built in the 1930s, shortly followed by the Haleakalā Visitor Cent… Rising 10,023 (3,005 m) feet above sea level, Haleakala means "house of the sun" and is where demigod Maui lassoed the sun, slowing its passage so people had more time to dry kapa (cloth) and grow food. Recent advanced dating tests, however, have shown that the last eruption was more likely to have been in the 17th century. [16], Haleakalā Observatory is an observation site located near the visitor center. Hawaii is home to 2 U.S. national parks:. The interior of the crater is dotted by numerous volcanic features, including large cinder cones. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park was made into a separate national park in 1961. Consider sticking around after sunset for some of the best stargazing in the world. For example, the summits and rift zones of Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes are rated Hazard Zone 1. Haleakalā Crater provides epic, sweeping views of the island from an elevation of just over 10,000 feet. A popular 11-mile (17.8 km) full-day hike begins at Keonehe‘ehe‘e Trailhead, crosses the valley floor, and ends at Halemau'u (7,990 ft/2,436 m elevation). Get Haleakala information, facts, photos, and more in this Haleakala National Park guide from National Geographic. There is a visitor center, with parking and restrooms, near the summit. Towering over the island of Maui and visible from just about any point, Haleakala Crater is a force of nature in every sense. Haleakalā is one of the best places in the United States for amateur astronomy, and binoculars and telescopes are available for rent from many local merchants. It is located at 9,700’ elevation, overlooking the western rim the valley. [14] Other endangered species include the endangered Haleakalā schiedea (Schiedea haleakalensis). National Parks. [10], Grazing and rooting feral goats and pigs have been destroying the native vegetation. … [6][7], These high hazard estimates for Haleakala are based on the frequency of its eruptions. [11][12], A well traveled Haleakalā Highway, completed in 1935, is a road mainly composed of switchbacks that leads to the peak of Haleakala. Haleakala is Maui’s highest peak; Stands at 10,023 feet above sea level, and 29,723 feet from the ocean floor; The Haleakala National Park ranges more than 30,000 acres of land; Haleakala is home to endangered species like the Nene goose (Hawaii State Bird) and the Silversword; Haleakala National Park Website From the summit, there are two main trails leading into Haleakalā: Sliding Sands Trail and Halemauʻu Trail. There are so many things to do there that one is sure to find their favorite activity. Haleakala National Park is home to Maui's highest peak. Because of the remarkable clarity, dryness, and stillness of the air, and its elevation (with atmospheric pressure of 71 kilopascals (530 mmHg)[10]), as well as the absence of the lights of major cities, the summit of Haleakalā is one of the most sought-after locations in the world for ground-based telescopes (though to a lesser extent than Mauna Kea on neighboring Hawaii). The park features the dormant Haleakalā (East Maui) Volcano, which last erupted sometime between 1480 and 1600 AD. Haleakala National Park . This part of the park lies within the lower part of Kipahulu Valley. Cycling and horseback riding are other popular ways to explore the park. [11]. Visitors cannot drive directly to this section from the summit area; they must take a winding coastal road that travels around the windward coast of the island. [4], Haleakalā was originally part of Hawaii National Park along with the volcanoes of Mauna Loa and Kilauea on the island of Hawaiʻi, created in 1916. Surrounding and including the crater is Haleakalā National Park, a 30,183-acre (122.15 km ) park, of which 24,719 acres (100.03 km ) are wilderness. Haleakala National Park. The park is open to visitors 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. More endangered species live in Haleakalā National Park than any other national park in the United States. Park is closed to public from 1941 to 1943. 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