Haleakalā — Local services in Maui

[Update-2025] don’t forget to read the disclaimer at the bottom before you decide to plunk down a day and chunk of money 🙂.

[Update-2024] couple of my friends recently visited Maui and included Haleakala in their itinerary - however, they drove themselves instead of paying $200/$250 per person to the tour operator. While drive in the middle of the night through narrow winding roads is not for the faint of heart, it’s doable if you plan ahead and procure the park permit (couple bucks per person) in advance. And keep your fingers crossed for a clear sky :-) —- As they say… a sunrise tour to the top of Haleakalā should be in everyone’s bucket list. Our tour bus picked us up from our hotel at 2:15am to ensure we reach there early enough to secure a good viewing spot for our group for a clear view of the sunrise. There was a thick cloud cover above, below, and on the east side so we didn’t get clear view of the sunrise, but what we captured on camera was a heavenly view of sun rays peeking through the cloud cover! See these amazing pictures I was able to capture using my iPhone 13 Pro camera - believe it or not, there is no editing/photoshop done on...

I am going to be honest upfront - I don't like "bald" type of mountains - without any greenery. Also, we travel a lot, so our expectations are getting higher and higher after each trip. That being said, after reading reviews I had pretty high expectations. Sunrise option wasn't available for us, so we went with the sunset. Parking was a nightmare even hours before the sunset, so take it into consideration when planning your trip. There are few trails nearby that we did since we had plenty of time to kill. Views were indeed like from another planet, but got old pretty quick. About an hour before the sunset light conditions were not very good for taking pictures, so keep it in mind if you plan taking photos out there. I was holding my breath waiting for sunset.... only to be puzzled by all these raving reviews how amazing it is... It was typical sunset, nothing really special in my opinion. Sunset from our Kihei condo was pretty much the same if not better. I didn't feel I was on top of the world. Before sun even remotely went down, the majority of people run to their cars and headed down creating a major traffic congestion. We packed picnic type of dinner and spent time in the car waiting for full darkness to see night sky and stars. There was only one other car left and again, nothing spectacular. Night sky in the middle of the ocean on the cruise is 100 times more impressive. One thing reviews were not lying about was the temperature drop once sun is down. I am glad we had hats and gloves with us. The wind was very cold making you feel...

Haleakalā is a colossal volcano located on the southern part of Maui Island in the Hawaiian archipelago, boasting a stunning reddish hue on its entire surface, believed to be a result of volcanic activity. As a typical Hawaiian volcano, it is currently dormant but remains a captivating tourist destination. Moreover, the summit houses astronomical observatories, providing an opportunity to marvel at the beauty of the skies.

Setting it apart from other volcanoes, Haleakalā features a caldera that opens downward, housing numerous smaller craters within. Designated as Haleakalā National Park, this place allows visitors to experience the unique allure of Hawaiian volcanoes while preserving its natural treasures. Covering a considerable area of Maui Island, it offers breathtaking views of both Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island from its summit. Mauna Kea's summit also offers a glimpse of Haleakalā. The abundance of craters, remarkably Mars-like in appearance, adds to the fascination, with some being large enough to contain the entire Manhattan!

While it is possible to drive up to the summit, the road is quite winding and requires a significant ascent. Nevertheless, the extraordinary vistas and the extraordinary experience of exploring these distinct craters make the effort well worth it. Haleakalā creates a sensation akin to embarking on a fantastic cosmic journey, and the Martian-like craters enhance the captivating experience further. This place stands as a remarkable location where one can truly appreciate the greatness and...