Hawaii - Maui

Call ahead to check the weather: 808-877-5111.
10$ parking fee. Save the receipt which can be used in the 7-sacred pools.

Fill UP GAS Tank.

DIRECTIONS
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Expect some pretty slow going on the way up. There are many switchbacks on the way up and it is a pretty steep hill you are climbing. Keep your eyes open for cattle on the road. You are going through an open range ranch on the way up to the crater. Also watch out for the geese in the road. These are Nene Geese, they are the Hawaii state bird and an endanger species of bird.

On the trip back down the mountain you will want to use the low gear on the car. It is a steep road and you do not want to over heat the brakes on the car resulting in brake failure.

From South Maui
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This trip will take you approximately 2 hours. From the Kihei area you would take Hwy 31 to Hwy 311 (stay in the right lane on 31). Take Hwy 311 to Hwy 380. Turn right at the traffic signal. Take Hwy 380 a short distance to Hwy 36. Turn right at the traffic signal. Take Hwy 36 to Hwy 37. Turn right at the traffic signal. Take Hwy 37 to Hwy 377, you will see the sign for Haleakala Crater, turn left. As you continue on up Hwy 377 it turns in to Hwy 378 and dead ends in the park.


TRAILS
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A short hike from the Visitor Center to the top of White Hill along a well-traveled uphill trail affords a stunning, 360° view.

Sliding Sands Trail= 4mi (tough in return)

On the way to the summit of Haleakala, one of
Maui’s two dormant volcanos, there is an overlook that should not be, well, overlooked. At 8,800 feet, Leleiwi Lookout commands views across the crater all the way to Kihei on the coast.

The panoramic moonscape view is not the main attraction here, however. Leleiwi offers a phenomenon that occurs in only two other places on the planet: Scotland and Germany. When the clouds are low, and the sun is in just the right place behind you, usually around sunset, you will see the reflection of your own shadow on the clouds, ringed with a rainbow. This amazing optical illusion, called “Specter of the Brocken,” is caused by just the right combination of sun, shadow, and mist. In Hawaiian, the spectacle is called akaku anuenue (reflection rainbow.) Some, including indigenous Hawaiians, have likened the experience to seeing one’s own soul.

To look over the Leleiwi Lookout, look out just beyond mile marker 17 on Highway 378, along a short trail from the parking lot.

Fill UP GAS Tank. Leave early like at 6am n be back by dusk

Travel near to the end in Haleakala National Park and give yourself enough time to hike the Pipiwai Trail up to the 400 ft. waterfall. You pass a giant banyan tree, waterfalls, and go through a 3 bamboo forests. It takes 3 hours roundtrip, but it's easy and you will kick yourself for missing it. I've done Hana 3 times and this time I skipped past all the other stops except for the Venus pool and went straight to the Pipiwai Trail. You can't miss Venus Pool either.

Stops
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Highway 36

This beach is known as possibly the best place in the world for windsurfing. It is the site of two major world-class competitions. Due to the strong surf, windsurfing at this beach should be limited to the experts. However, the beach has an 1/8 mile coral reef that makes a pond-like area perfect for taking a dip in the early morning or when the ocean in calmer.
Services and Amenities

* No lifeguard
* Restrooms
* Picnic facilities
* Showers
* Sandy beach with rocky shoreline
* Good surfing in the morning
* Excellent windsurfing in the afternoon
* Strong wind and currents
* Seasonal high surf
* 2 parking lots

pick up some sandwiches around 4 pm and head down Chain of Craters Rd stopping along the way at some of the overlooks. At the bottom I would visit the Sea Arch, a short detour, and then head out to see the lava flow while it is still light. The black lava really heats up during the day so bring plenty of water (2-3 quarts per person is recommended for the 4-5 mile round trip if you go as far as is allowed) and use sunscreen.

At this point we returned to our hotel to clean up and check out. We stopped for lunch at the Lava Rock Cafe for some very good sandwiches then headed back to the park. We hiked the short (1 mile round-trip) Devastation Trail and then drove down Chain of Craters Rd. to see the sights we had missed in the dark. Take your time here. There are some great sights just a short walk from the many overlooks. As you get closer to the end (about 3/4 of the way down) there are also some great views (although distant) of the steam formed as the lava flows into the ocean. Also there are nice views as you approach the ocean and views of the expansive black lava fields that were formed as the lava from many years ago flowed to the sea. It was mid afternoon when we reached the bottom and parking was a snap. We viewed the Sea Arch and waves crashing into the cliffs. Well worth the drive. Then it's back up Chain of Craters Rd. to the Crater Rim Drive. Although we were pretty tired by this point we decided to finish our tour around Crater Rim Drive. Again there are many overlooks worth a stop, each with a unique landscape. We finally left the park around 5 p.m. We were able to see an incredible amount in the 1 1/2 days but most people would not want to keep that pace.