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Haleakala National Park Facts

Haleakala National Park Facts
Haleakala National Park is a 33,265 acre park in Maui in the United States' Hawaiian Islands. Originally it was included as part of Hawaii National Park, which was established in 1916 to include Mauna Loa, and Kilauea. In 1961 Hawaii Volcanoes National Park became a separate park and Haleakala National Park was established as its own park, in the same year. In 1980 the park was granted status as an International Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Haleakala means 'house of the sun' when translated from Hawaiian to English. Haleakala National Park is divided into two main regions, including the summit area of the dormant Haleakala volcano, and the coastal region of Kipahulu.
Interesting Haleakala National Park Facts:
Local legend suggests that Maui, a demigod, imprisoned the sun at Haleakala to make the day longer.
Haleakala National Park has the highest peak in Maui, at 10,023 feet over sea level.
There is a long winding road up Haleakala volcano to the summit. It is a popular spot for visitors who wish to watch the sunrise and sunset.
There are more endangered species in Haleakala National Park than in any other United States national park.
Birds that can be found in Haleakala National Park include the Hawaiian Petrel, a migratory seabird, the Hawaiian goose (nene), honeycreepers, common myna, Eurasian skylark, chukar, black noddy, house finch, rock dove, and peregrine falcon, among many others.
The nene bird died out in the park at one time, but in 1946 the Boy Scouts helped to bring them back into the crater of Haleakala volcano by carrying them in their back packs.
Animals that can be found at Haleakala National Park that were on the island before immigrants arrived include bats and seals.
Visitors to Haleakala National Park can enjoy hiking, swimming, back country camping, commercialized tours, and horseback riding.
Many species at the park are endangered, including plant species.
Approximately 1.45 million people visit Haleakala National Park each year.
The last time that Haleakala volcano erupted is believed to have been between 1480 AD and 1600 AD. It is considered to be a dormant volcano.
Of the 33,265 acres that make up Haleakala National Park, 19,270 acres are designated a wilderness area, which prohibits using the land for development and helps to preserve the unique biodiversity and flora and fauna found in the area.
Haleakala National Park is popular with amateur astronomers who are able to rent telescopes and binoculars from shop keepers in the area.
A portion of the park is closed to visitors in an effort to preserve the endangered species in the rainforest.
At one time a plant called Haleakala silversword covered Haleakala Mountain that made it look like it was snow covered but it was eventually destroyed because of travel to the area. It is not uncommon for native species to be destroyed once new plants and organisms are introduced.
On a gated road past the summit of Haleakala Mountain is the Haleakala Observatory. This is where satellites and other debris that orbits the earth are tracked as part of the Maui Space Surveillance System.


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