Haleakala National Park is a huge park that runs from the highest point of Maui (10,000+ feet) to the windward shore. The summit is the most accessible and presents the viewer with this moonscape.
Although still classified as active, the volcano here last erupted in 1790 so the 19 square mile crater has been shaped largely by wind, water, and ice erosion. The erosion process probably knocked 3000 feet off the top of Haleakala -- and then new volcanic activity filled parts of it back in lava, creating lava cones and small hills called cinder cones.
The crater descends about 3000 feet and has many hiking trails. The park includes over 30,000 acres. -- about 45 square miles.
Here's a view of the parking lot. Although high and cold, the peak is easy to access through a paved but winding mountain road.
This is one of the top five sites in the world for professional and amateur astronomers. On a clear day, you can see 115 miles out to sea. The park office provides star maps for nighttime viewing. At over 10,000 feet, this spot is already 1/3 of the way up in the earth's atmosphere. The University of Hawaii runs an observatory here with a 2 meter telescope -- the largest dedicated to educational purposes. UH's 18-acre-site is called "Science City." However, some natives complain that this violates sacred sites of their ancestors.
We were lucky that we got to see a 'Ahinahina plant in bloom. This threatened species almost got wiped out by early Hawaiian tourists. It's in the silversword species.
The 'ahinahina has adapted to the harsh conditions of the high slopes of Haleakala. It blooms only once in its (up to) 50 year life -- and then it dies. The blooming stalk can be as much as 8' high. It's a member of the sunflower family.
Due to heroic efforts by the National Park Service and other conservationists, there are now about 50,000 'ahinahina plants in the park. Some years none of them bloom.
