Haleakalā Observatory — Attraction in Maui

From one perspective, this is a barren little scientific installation at the top of a mountain. The air is thin and cold, and the wind is ferocious. From another perspective, it is one of the most beautiful spots I have been to. From the vantage point of the peak, you are surrounded by clouds below you, and on clear days you can see the ocean and even the peaks of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kilauea on the big island to the south. Haleakala Observatory is home to, among other instruments, a large telescope devoted to studying the Sun. It is also next to an installation operated by the Air Force which has the purpose of watching satellites, both ours and those belonging to allies and adversaries. There is a visitor center for the summit on another Hilltop nearby, but access to the observatory itself is controlled by the University of Hawaii, and you won't be able to get in unless you are participating in a project or know somebody really well. Not that there is a lot for a visitor to see. The observatory interior has a well-worn break room, a cramped bunk room, some offices, and of course access to the telescopes and their associated instruments. It is a working place, and it is not necessarily a...

Breathtaking Sunset Above the Clouds 🌤️

Watching the sunset from Haleakalā Observatory is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The views are nothing short of breathtaking – seeing the sun dip below a sea of clouds from such a high elevation is surreal and unforgettable.

That said, be prepared: the temperatures at the summit are surprisingly cold, even in Hawaii, so bring layers. We waited in line for over 30 minutes to get in, and parking was hectic with so many people trying to find a spot. The drive itself isn’t for the faint of heart – narrow winding roads with steep drop-offs can be intimidating, especially for novice drivers or those with vertigo.

But once you’re there, every challenge fades away. Standing above the clouds as the sky turns vibrant shades of red and gold is magical. Despite the crowds and logistics, it’s absolutely...

An absolutely must go to site! The road is very windy so be aware. Theres a 25$ parks fee and if you want to see the sunrise, you need to make a reservation way ahead(they will only allow so many vehicles, because parking). I drove up for the sunset, no reservations needed, and that was amazing! Be warned, your climbing from sea level to 10200 plus feet, so getting light headed was an issue for me (altitude sickness). I do a lot of hiking and hunting in various terrain and it still affected me because the climb(drive) was too quick for my body to adjust to. There are warning signs posted at the lookouts to warn people of just that. Take care, be safe, and enjoy. Thanks for...