Haleakala National Park |
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Haleakala National Park is located on the island of Maui in the state of Hawaii. The name Haleakala is Hawaiian for house of the sun. According to legend, the demigod Maui imprisoned the sun here in order to lengthen the day. The park features the dormant Haleakala Volcano, which last erupted around 1790. The summit area includes Haleakala Crater, the summit of the volcano, and the area surrounding the summit. The interior of the crater is dotted by numerous volcanic features, including large cinder cones. Each morning, visitors come to the summit of the volcano to watch the spectacular sunrise. Haleakala is one of the best places in the United States for amateur astronomy. The second section of the park lies within the lower part of Kipahulu Valley and is separated from the summit area of the park by the upper portion of the valley. This section of the park features more than two dozen pools along Palikea Stream that contain rare native freshwater fish. Visitors may choose to swim in these pools, or hike a trail that takes visitors up to the base of Waimoku Falls. More endangered species live in Haleakala National Park than any other national park in the United States. Nēnē (Hawaiian Geese) can be seen in their natural habitat in Haleakalā Crater. Although nēnē died out entirely in the park, in 1946 they were re-introduced with the help of the Boy Scouts, who carried young birds into the crater in their backpacks.
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