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Free Hawaii Vacation & Travel Guide |
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MAUI SMART TRAVEL GUIDE - page 12 of 36 |
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Maui Parks Maui is a very active and busy place with lots to see and do on the one hand, and, on the other hand, Maui offers many ways to simply leave everything behind and fall into deep rest and relaxation in a quiet corner of paradise. Maui offers both with a warm smile and aloha. NATIONAL PARKS Haleakala National Park The 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. Haleakala, originally part of Hawaii National Park, was redesignated as a separate entity in July 1961. Haleakala National Park was designated an International Biosphere Reserve in 1980. Of its 30,183 acres, 24,719 acres are designated wilderness.  Summit Area - Haleakala crater is the main attraction of this large national park and certainly one of the most unusual in the U.S. Hiking and camping is permitted and both offer rare opportunities to experience life at high elevation in the tropics. Many loops take hikers through the “crater,” more properly the eroded center of the dormant volcano than a true volcanic crater, and are several miles in length. Care must be taken to allow for unexpected weather like high winds, heavy rain, cold, and so on. Inclement weather, however, seldom stays long. Beautiful, clear days are more common.Check out the Haleakala Visitor Center for information and exhibits on wildlife and geology, and Puu Ulaula Overlook at the summit for a breathtaking view of the crater. The summit is nearly always open to watch the sunrise or the sunset, which at 10,023 feet can be quite awe-inspiring. Haleakala Crater Road, Makawao. Telephone: (808) 572-4400. Cost: $10 per car. Kipahulu Area - 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. Camping is available at both sections of the park, some of the very few camping facilities on the island. View Haleakala National Park (NPS) |
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MAUI SMART TRAVEL GUIDE - page 12 of 36 |
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