Maui: 2008-08-17T20:29:37Z Copyright (c) 2008, JCDerrick ExpressionEngine tag:hawaii-guide.com,2008:08:15 tag:hawaii-guide.com,2008:index.php/maui/1.481 2008-08-15T19:25:04Z 2008-08-15T19:31:04Z JCDerrick jcderrick@hawaiianstyle.org Pocket Map of Maui as well. Our Road to Hana book, Hana Highway - Mile by Mile, also features several detailed maps of nearly all of east Maui. ]]> tag:hawaii-guide.com,2008:index.php/maui/1.471 2008-08-08T19:55:43Z 2008-08-08T20:13:43Z JCDerrick jcderrick@hawaiianstyle.org Waterfalls on the island of Maui are some of the world's best. Below we've included links to several of the best waterfalls on Maui, most of which you can actually see without a tour or helicopter (all falls visible from the air only are noted).

On the list of Maui waterfalls below, we've included the height of the falls when possible, a rank (out of 5 stars), noted if it's a seasonal falls (dry in summer or too heavy of a flow in winter), and included any additional access information as necessary. If you think you've located a Maui waterfall we've mistakenly left off this list, by all means please contact us and we'll make sure it's added. Be sure to also check out all the waterfalls in Hawaii on our Hawaii Waterfalls page.

]]> tag:hawaii-guide.com,2008:index.php/maui/1.372 2008-03-01T02:57:00Z 2008-03-01T03:03:10Z NADerrick NADerrick@HawaiianStyle.org tag:hawaii-guide.com,2008:index.php/maui/1.371 2008-03-01T02:50:00Z 2008-03-01T02:55:45Z NADerrick NADerrick@HawaiianStyle.org tag:hawaii-guide.com,2008:index.php/maui/1.370 2008-03-01T02:25:00Z 2008-03-01T02:32:56Z NADerrick NADerrick@HawaiianStyle.org tag:hawaii-guide.com,2008:index.php/maui/1.369 2008-03-01T00:51:00Z 2008-08-12T01:32:59Z JCDerrick jcderrick@hawaiianstyle.org
]]> tag:hawaii-guide.com,2008:index.php/maui/1.367 2008-02-28T02:19:00Z 2008-03-01T02:33:58Z NADerrick NADerrick@HawaiianStyle.org tag:hawaii-guide.com,2008:index.php/maui/1.366 2008-02-27T18:59:01Z 2008-02-27T20:20:35Z JCDerrick jcderrick@hawaiianstyle.org Haleakala National Park Visitor Center at mile marker 20.5 on Hwy 378, you’ll definitely want to head up to the summit. Turn left out of the visitor center parking lot and at mile marker 21 you’ll come to another intersection. You’ll want to take a right to reach the parking lot for the summit (the left road takes you to visit Science City and the observatories, but they are off limits to the public).

The summit parking lot is built in the shallow crater of Pu‘u ‘Ula‘ula (Red Hill). This should not be confused with Pa Ka’oao or "white hill" which is located below near the Visitor Center. Before you walk up the ramp to the summit look around you and observe some of Pele’s fiery missiles. These chunks of lava were catapulted through the air during eruptions and hardened on their trip to the ground. The largest chunk is roughly four to five feet across.

]]> tag:hawaii-guide.com,2008:index.php/maui/1.365 2008-02-27T17:44:00Z 2008-02-27T19:37:11Z JCDerrick jcderrick@hawaiianstyle.org Haleakala National Park. At approximately mile marker 10.5 on Highway 378, just after entering the park, you’ll want to turn left to the start of the Hosmer Grove trail.

At about 0.3 miles down the road (on the right) you may notice one of Hawai‘i’s famous sandalwood trees. The sandalwood has a long history in Hawai‘i and was once very precious in China for incense and aromatic woodcarvings. In the 1800s the Pacific sailing-ship trade practically obliterated the Hawaiian sandalwood forests. Today you can still find sandalwood pits in Hawai‘i where the trunks of the trees were stored. The pits were made to resemble the cargo areas of the ships the trees were transported in.

At this same location you’ll also find our feature attraction for this stop, a half-mile-long nature trail that winds through a very intriguing forest of introduced trees not native to Hawai‘i. It was back in 1910 that Ralph Hosmer planted this and other groves of trees like eucalyptus from Australia, sugi pine from Japan, deodar from India, Douglas fir and several species of pine from mainland United States, along with other species in hopes of introducing a timber industry as well as reestablishing the watershed. Today the grove presents the existing and continual dilemma of the struggle between native plants
and introduced species in the Hawaiian Islands. The Haleakala Park Service labors intensively to make sure none of the non-native plants escape the grove, and the native vegetation in the surrounding continues to grow and thrive.

A lot of the trees are labeled on the short walk through the grove. Pick up a brochure at the beginning of the trail that will guide you along. Or print a copy of the brochure and map now by downloading a copy of the NPS Hosmer Grove Brochure.

The Supply Trail also begins on the road that leads to Hosmer Grove. You can read more about that hike on our Supply Trail page. ]]> tag:hawaii-guide.com,2008:index.php/maui/1.364 2008-02-27T17:34:00Z 2008-02-27T17:49:56Z JCDerrick jcderrick@hawaiianstyle.org Haleakala National Park. The Supply Trail starts on the road that leads to Hosmer Grove Trail and winds up through the native sub-alpine shrub land that dominates this elevation of Haleakala.

Despite it’s difficulty, this could be a good chance to closely observe the local plant and wildlife away from the road. The Supply Trail is fairly steeply graded from the start, but becomes even steeper as it approaches the connection with the Halemau‘u Trail at 3.5 miles in. You’ll have park your car in the Hosmer Grove campground walk back along the road to the trailhead sign. ]]> tag:hawaii-guide.com,2008:index.php/maui/1.363 2008-02-27T17:02:00Z 2008-02-27T17:33:45Z JCDerrick jcderrick@hawaiianstyle.org Haleakala National Park. At approximately 14.2 miles up Highway 378, you’ll see the parking lot for Halemau‘u Trail. This rather long trail starts at 7,990 feet in the native shrub land ecosystem and leads down into the crater before traversing back up all the way to the summit of Haleakala.

A hiker might choose to do a three mile round trip hike out to the edge of Haleakala's rim and return, or might use this as a starting point for an all day hike to the summit. If you do choose the all day hike, we highly suggest you start at the summit (see below). If you do stop at this location, keep your eyes open for Nene. They are frequently spotted here. For their wellbeing, please do not feed them, even if they beg.

]]> tag:hawaii-guide.com,2008:index.php/maui/1.362 2008-02-27T16:31:00Z 2008-02-27T16:40:06Z JCDerrick jcderrick@hawaiianstyle.org tag:hawaii-guide.com,2008:index.php/maui/1.361 2008-02-27T16:26:01Z 2008-02-27T16:52:26Z JCDerrick jcderrick@hawaiianstyle.org
You’ll notice that the view is very close to a more distant location, the moon. In fact, NASA has used this area for just that purpose. The astronauts that landed on the moon trained here.This gigantic depression is 7.5 miles long (east to west); 2.5 miles wide, and 3,000 feet deep. This crater is so massive that the entire island of Manhattan could fit inside. From the lookout you could gaze at the rooftops of the skyscrapers. You’d swear nothing was here until you hiked down the short trail. Then, suddenly, this scene pops into view before you.

]]> tag:hawaii-guide.com,2008:index.php/maui/1.359 2008-02-27T14:15:00Z 2008-02-27T19:29:39Z JCDerrick jcderrick@hawaiianstyle.org Sunrise at the summit of Haleakala is like nothing else on earth. And if you’re an early riser, you too can see why this volcano is called “House of the Sun.” Each morning dozens of people flock to the chilly peak of Haleakala to witness the sunrise above the 10,000 foot summit. No doubt you already know this, but Haleakala's summit is located inside Haleakala National Park.

If you want to beat the traffic and get a good spot, we suggest you leave no later than 3:30 am. It takes one hour to reach the summit when leaving from Kahului, 1-½ hours from Kihei, and 2 hours from Lahaina. Despite the early morning rise, it’s always well worth it. If you feel this is too early for you, consider a Haleakala sunset, but be aware more clouds are present later in the day. The very latest we’d suggest entering the park in the morning is 4:30 am, as sunrise will typically be around 5:30-7:00 am (see the sunrise/sunset chart for specifics).

Temperatures range between 20-40 degrees Fahrenheit at the summit of Haleakala, so be sure to dress warmly. A view of the sunrise is weather permitting, so check the weather before you go if possible.

Just a side note, but attempting to view the sunrise and hike at the summit of Haleakala in the same day are ill advised. When you get up at 3:30 am, your energy drains quickly at this elevation in the cold from shivering. Lived and learned, so trust us on that. ]]> tag:hawaii-guide.com,2008:index.php/maui/1.342 2008-02-19T18:22:37Z 2008-08-17T20:29:37Z JCDerrick jcderrick@hawaiianstyle.org "Who or what is EMI?"

Who or What is EMI?
EMI is the East Maui Irrigation company, and they have ditches running most of the way to Hana. Since they do divert water from various falls and occasionally prevent public access to certain locations, keep that in mind as you explore along the highway. Some waterfalls may be flowing at a lower than usual rate due to EMI diverting water from the stream above the falls.

Their tunnels and ditches feed the cane fields in central Maui. Occasionally they also will block public access to certain locations with “No Trespassing” signs. A few waterfalls along the Hana Highway are completely on or inside EMI areas. We have typically skipped mentioning these spots on our website and in our guidebooks due to the fact they are on private property and are not legally accessible (though we have noted the KAPU status of some of the better known locations). ]]>