Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii
Most visitors to Haleakala National Park enter though the main entrance on the west side of the park and drive up to the crater at the top of the dormant volcano. One common way that tourists visit the park is to ride up to the top of the mountain at sunrise and then bike down. Less well known is the Kipahulu entrance to the park. It is on the eastern end of the park in a remote area not far from the town of Hana.
These photos were taken along the Kuloa Point Trail. It takes visitors to ‘Ohe’o Gulch, home of the seven sacred pools, although the actual number of pools varies at different times of the year. Visitors can swim in the pools although there are a number of warnings against it and at the current time the pools are closed indefinitely due to concerns over possible rock slides. ‘Ohe’o means “someplace special.” At the end of the gulch is Kuloa Point where it meets the ocean.
‘Ohe’o Gulch
Kuloa Point
Hawai’i National Park, which included Haleakala, was established by Congress in 1916. The visitor center at Haleakala was built in the 30’s as an initiative of the Civilian Conservation Corp. In 1961, shortly after Hawaii became at state the two national parks in Hawaii, Haleakala and Hawai’I Volcanoes National Park, were separated and assumed their current names. The Kipaulu section was added to the park in 1969.
off the leash 
The power of Mother Nature is very evident here!
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Kuloa Point Trail looks beautiful. Rugged and natural.
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Another place I must go! I always assumed Hawaii to be sunny all the time, but it looks like not the case from the pictures.
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You’re right. I spent a week in Maui earlier this month and didn’t see much sun. Did most of what I wanted anyway.
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Is that because of volcanic activity or some other reason lime global warming?
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There’s been unsettled and stormy weather all over in the last few weeks. Not the volcano. So global warming the more likely culprit.
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😩😩😩
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Like all beautiful national parks, I’d love to be able to visit Haleakala one of these days. I’m more of a mountain-type of person, so it’s not overly high on the list. But hey, if I ever win the lottery, I’m so going there!
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Oh this is indeed a beautiful area, your photos just exquisite. I think your cloudy days were actually a blessing as far as enjoying the environment without lots of others. Thank you Ken for sharing your …what looks like a very calm and peaceful exploration of a true natural wonder.
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We love Maui it is wonderful. We visited in summer. Road going to Haleakala was too foggy this time. After we reach to see the view from the top it was sunny. It is awesome.:)
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