Haleakala National Park

THE HISTORICAL BEGINNINGS & USES OF MOUNT HALEAKALA

The history of the Haleakala volcano starts with its rise from the ocean approximately 1 million years ago. Successive lava flows continuously built up the land. As the height increased the mountain began to create its own weather from the moisture laden sea breezes and trade winds. Gulches and valleys were formed by erosion from the rains captured by the mountain slopes. By the time the first wave of polynesian settlers arrived between 400 and 600 A.D. the landscape of the mountain was sparse with shrublands and cinder plains above the upland forests. The first polynesian settlers surely declared it sacred, as was common with large mountains in ancient times. In the Hawaiian language Haleakala means “House of the Sun” and legend tells of the demi-god Maui (a powerful and super-natural god known throughout polynesia) who lassoed the sun to slow its progress across the sky. This enabled his mother (and consequently the Hawaiian people) to live more comfortably on the land.

Found within Haleakala National Park boundaries;

Numerous archaeological sites including heiau, platforms, pictographs.
Sling stones and tools have been found which quarried here; used to hunt birds for their feathers.
Sacred places used for religious ceremonies and training of priests and celestial navigators
Ancient Hawaiians buried there royal dead in remote, isolated places. This made the crater a favorite burial spot for royalty.
Ancient paved paths through the crater provided emergency access to east Maui.

What to expect at the summit of haleakala

Hawaii is full of stunning natural wonders but one of the most impressive is Haleakala National Park. Split into two distinct areas, Haleakala National Park covers more than 27 square miles at the summit and 19 square miles at Kipahulu Valley which runs from the top of the volcano’s eastern slope down to the ocean at the Pools of Oheo. Of Kipahulu’s 46 square miles approximately 38 square miles are remote wilderness areas.

Weather at the Summit During Sunrise & Sunset

The weather at the summit is constantly changing and pretty tough to accurately forecast. This is because the mountain creates it’s own weather every day. Light rains and winds at sea level create scenes of rainbows and softly waving palm trees, but at 10,000 ft these become driving rain and winds that can reach 70 to 80 miles an hour!

Summit Weather During the Day

At sunrise the temperature averages in the high 30’s to low 40’s but it rises quickly after sun up. By noon on a clear day the crater can be a balmy 65 to 75 degrees. The sun’s radiation is intense at this elevation so be sure to use sunscreen. Average temperatures during the day can range wildly at the summit and are mostly influenced by the clouds. The radiation from the sun at the top of the mountain can make a cool 70 degrees in bright sun feel like 80. If it’s cloudy it can be cold and damp and that 60 or 70 degrees can feel like 40.

Seasonal Weather Impact at the Summit

Most of Maui at sea level is a steady 75 to 85 degrees year around. This is not the case at the summit or in the crater. In the winter months it can be cold enough to snow with winds reaching 50 to 80 miles per hour in which case the park can close. Keep an eye on the weather before heading up the mountain through the National Weather Services summit forecast page.