The captivating beauty of Maui has drawn travelers to its
destination from all over the world. There is something to be said about the
Hawaiian culture and kind aloha spirit. Breathing in the warm ocean breeze, the
endless horizon of turquoise waters and white sand beaches. With every corner
turned brings another breathtaking view and exhilarating experience. Maui is known for its picturesque
tropical beaches and waterfalls however there is much more to the island, and
many other sights worth seeing. If you are the type of person that truly
appreciates and enjoys the natural beauty of a place, then Haleakala National
Park and the view from the Haleakala Crater are definitely a place worth
experiencing.
HALEAKALA
Haleakala is the name of this dormant volcanoes crater. According to “Volcanoes of the World” this massive
Hawaiian volcano forms roughly 77% of the island of Maui, rises over 10,000
feet, and is one of the largest volcanic craters in the world. Surrounding the area,
including the crater, is the Haleakala National park which encompasses 30,183 acres.
This amazing journey starts as you begin your drive up
towards the awe-inspiring basin at the mountains' summit. National Geographic
describes the road to the summit of Haleakala as possibly the steepest
gradient for autos in the world. Starting out at sea level and climbing to an incredible 10,023
feet in only 38 miles. As travelers make their ascent up the mountain they
pass through a number of different climate and eco-zones ranging from humid
subtropical lowlands on the windward side, to sub-alpine desert on the leeward.
The Haleakala Crater its self is really a spectacular view. Streaks of red, yellow, gray and black sweep across the crater and are highly unusual in a volcanic formation. The Craters amazing swirl of color and volcanic cinder cones stretch above the clouds. These cinder cones can give the appearance of a miniature mountain rage, while other areas look like a desert.
To the
east of the rim of Haleakala, the great
rain forest in the valley of Kipahulu drops suddenly thousands of feet down to the
coast below. The trails in this region run alongside an impressive 400 foot waterfall, a number
of tropical streams, and turquoise pools. On the leeward slopes is a dry forest
that allows for alpine shrubland. The upper Kipahulu Valley is a biological home
to a vast profusion of vegetation and wildlife. Which includes some of the world's
rarest birds, like the endangered Maui Parrotbill, and plants, like the
silversword, some of which are exclusively found at Haleakala.
HALEAKALA SUNRISE
One
of the world's most spectacular views is the view from the Haleakala summit at
sunrise. It truly is a unique and memorable experience. Although I have not
been able to experience most areas of Halakala national Park, I have been fortunate
enough to experience the summit and its breathtaking views as the sun peaks above the horizon
and its rays flood the sky and pierce through the clouds. The best time to get
there is around 5-5:30am. This will allow you to get a chance to gaze up at the
crystal clear night sky, that has one of the most amazing displays of the stars you'll
probably ever see. As the stars begin to fade away, the suns light makes its
way through and the change in color throughout the sky and land are brilliant
Sunrise
and Sunset times- By Month (according to Bishop Planetarium)
January 1: 6:56am/6:00pm
January 15: 6:58am/6:10pm |
July 1: 5:41am/7:16pm
July 15: 5:46am/7:15pm |
February 1: 6:55am/6:21pm
February 15: 6:48am/6:29pm |
August 1: 5:52am/7:09pm
August 15: 5:57am/7:01pm |
March 1: 6:39am/6:35pm
March 15: 6:27am/6:40pm |
September 1: 6:02am/6:49pm
September 15: 6:06am/6:33pm |
April 1: 6:12am/6:49pm
April 15: 6:00am/6:49pm |
October 1: 6:10am/6:19pm
October 15: 6:14am/6:06pm |
May 1: 5:50am/6:55pm
May 15: 5:42am/7:01pm |
November 1: 6:20am/5:55pm
November 15: 6:28am/5:49pm |
June 1: 5:38am/7:08pm
June 15: 5:38am/7:12pm |
December 1: 6:38am/5:47pm
December 15: 6:47am/5:50pm |
WEATHER
The Haleakala national Park experiences most of its rain in the winter, and the temperature remains fairly constant month to month, and on average, ranges between 40 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The weather varies depending on the location and because of its high elevation, it can quickly change from very hot, to rainy, to cold, and then windy in the same day. Temperatures can also drop to freezing, and even occasionally it can get some snow.
Haleakala is definitely a destination worth the checking out. It is truly a mystical place and each area of the park is unique and different from the last. Its cool crisp air and captivating raw beauty, unspoiled by man is what attracts travelers to this summit. This an inspiring experience should be a to-do on every travelers list when visiting Maui
