Originally designated as part of Hawaii National Park along with the volcanoes of Mauna Loa and Kilauea, Haleakala National Park became a separate park in its own right in 1961, and was branded an International Biosphere Reserve in 1980. Today, it is one of the most exciting places to visit in Hawaii, for both nature enthusiasts and everyday tourists. Covering an area of 45.5 square miles, the Haleakala National Park is one of the most beautiful wilderness areas in the US.
The park is located on the island of Maui and features the dormant Haleakala (East Maui) Volcano, which last erupted in 1790. The Haleakala National Park is divided into two sections - the summit area and the coastal Kipahulu area - and today attracts an average of around 1, 450, 000 visitors a year. The name "Haleakala", meaning "house of the sun," originates from a local legend which claims that the demigod, Maui, imprisoned the sun in order to make the days longer; any visitor who has witnessed the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets that Haleakala has to offer may well believe that there is some truth to this local story.
Undoubtedly, the main attraction in Haleakala National Park is the Haleakala crater, which measures seven miles across, two miles wide and another 2, 600 feet deep; the peak is Maui's highest point and the third highest in the whole of Hawaii. Adventurous travellers to Haleakala can choose to hike down the crater using one of two trails: the Halemau'u and the Sliding Sands. Various other trails also traverse various regions of the park. As well as being a prime hiking site, Haleakala has also been rated on of the best sites in the USA for amateur astronomy; a number of budding astronomers bring their telescopes and binoculars to enjoy unsurpassable views of the sky, stars and planets above.
Part of the Kipahulu sector of the Haleakala National Park is closed off to the public for reasons of preserving native plants and animals. However, guests can still enjoy a cross-section of flora and fauna across the rest of the park, which is home to pools of teeming freshwater marine life, as well as trails to the spectacular Waimoku Falls. Visitors to Haleakala may also get a glimpse of the diverse sea life off shore, which includes whales, turtles and dolphins.
If you're planning a holiday to Haleakala National Park and are looking for comfortable accommodation in Hawaii, explore the luxuries available to travellers in the Wailea region, which is home to some of America's most beautiful beaches as well as some of the country's most amazing hotels, with a
Waldorf Astoria for real decadence. Though Wailea is a couple of hours drive away from the Haleakala National Park, the drive itself is a great way to enjoy more of Hawaii's stunning natural surroundings.
Author: Michael Hanna
Michael is a keen writer living in Edinburgh. Michael's Website:
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