Login or Register Here
to remove these ads.
Maui Sights
Location: Upcountry Maui and Haleakala
At approximately mile marker 18.7 on Highway 378, turn left onto a short road and drive to the parking area. The rim overlook, at 9,324 feet, provides another superb view of the crater floor. At one time, Haleakala likely resembled Mauna Loa on the Big Island with its pointed top. But as Haleakala’s eruptions diminished and erosion in the early valleys of Keanae (Ko‘olau Gap) on the north and Kaupo (on the south) began, they nearly almost merged together near the volcano’s summit, splitting Haleakala in two.
At approximately mile marker 18.7 on Highway 378, turn left onto a short road and drive to the parking area. The rim overlook, at 9,324 feet, provides another superb view of the crater floor. At one time, Haleakala likely resembled Mauna Loa on the Big Island with its pointed top. But as Haleakala’s eruptions diminished and erosion in the early valleys of Keanae (Ko‘olau Gap) on the north and Kaupo (on the south) began, they nearly almost merged together near the volcano’s summit, splitting Haleakala in two.
Location: Southeast Maui
As you continue on Highway 31, beyond mile marker 29, you should see a pull out makai. Here you can view the Pokowai Sea Arch. The arch was formed when flowing lava from the volcano collided with the cold Pacific waters, creating an arch formation.Take Highway 31 past Hana, past Kaupo. Around Mile Marker #29 the sea arch can be seen from the road - pullouts located near the shoreline are the safest spots to see and photograph this site.
As you continue on Highway 31, beyond mile marker 29, you should see a pull out makai. Here you can view the Pokowai Sea Arch. The arch was formed when flowing lava from the volcano collided with the cold Pacific waters, creating an arch formation.Take Highway 31 past Hana, past Kaupo. Around Mile Marker #29 the sea arch can be seen from the road - pullouts located near the shoreline are the safest spots to see and photograph this site.
Location: Upcountry Maui and Haleakala
Near mile marker 10 on Highway 37 you’ll find a sign on the mauka side informing you of our next stop, the Enchanting Floral Gardens. The Enchanting Floral Gardens in Kula has eight acres of walking tours displaying over 1,500 species of tropical and semi-tropical plants and flowers from around the world. The more you stroll up the path the more rewarding it is.
The garden has a wide variety of exotic flowers such as proteas, orchids, hibiscus, jade vines and a variety of fruit trees. Some have complained the gardens are not maintained well, but overall we were pleased with it and found the price of $5 (per adult) reasonable.
It's a nice stop on a day trip to Haleakala or just when visiting up-country Maui. We also recommend Kula Botanical Gardens, located in the same vicinity.
Near mile marker 10 on Highway 37 you’ll find a sign on the mauka side informing you of our next stop, the Enchanting Floral Gardens. The Enchanting Floral Gardens in Kula has eight acres of walking tours displaying over 1,500 species of tropical and semi-tropical plants and flowers from around the world. The more you stroll up the path the more rewarding it is.
The garden has a wide variety of exotic flowers such as proteas, orchids, hibiscus, jade vines and a variety of fruit trees. Some have complained the gardens are not maintained well, but overall we were pleased with it and found the price of $5 (per adult) reasonable.
It's a nice stop on a day trip to Haleakala or just when visiting up-country Maui. We also recommend Kula Botanical Gardens, located in the same vicinity.
Location: Upcountry Maui and Haleakala
After leaving the 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.
After leaving the 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.
Location: Upcountry Maui and Haleakala
Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Park is a small roadside park in Keokea (makai) between mile markers 18 and 19. It is about 2,400 feet above the south Maui coast and scenic views here are excellent.
Who was Sun Yat-Sen? Dr. Sun Yat-Sen (1866-1925) was a revolutionary in China and a political leader who was often referred to as the “father of modern China.” Yat-Sen served as the first provisional president when the Republic of China was founded in 1912, after the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty a year before. The ‘Ulupalakua ranch donated the land for the park in 1989. Today the park features a bronze statue of Yat-Sen along with a few other memorial statues.
Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Park is a small roadside park in Keokea (makai) between mile markers 18 and 19. It is about 2,400 feet above the south Maui coast and scenic views here are excellent.
Who was Sun Yat-Sen? Dr. Sun Yat-Sen (1866-1925) was a revolutionary in China and a political leader who was often referred to as the “father of modern China.” Yat-Sen served as the first provisional president when the Republic of China was founded in 1912, after the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty a year before. The ‘Ulupalakua ranch donated the land for the park in 1989. Today the park features a bronze statue of Yat-Sen along with a few other memorial statues.
Location: South Maui
Haleakala’s last display can be seen on Mau‘i’s southeast shore at La Perouse Bay. Scientists estimate that in 1790 Haleakala erupted to form the jagged lava rock coastline. Now there is a monument and ruins of Hawaiian natives who made their home on the sharp a’a lava rock.
La Perouse is the end of the road, literally, in south Mau‘i. It is located at mile marker 7 at the very end of Makena Alanui Road. From Kihei take Piilani Hwy south to Wailea. Turn right on Wailea Iki road and bear left on to Wailea Alanui Road which turns into Makena Alanui. Look carefully around you as you drive between mile markers 5.5 and 7. On either side you should see fields of a’a littering the landscape.
Haleakala’s last display can be seen on Mau‘i’s southeast shore at La Perouse Bay. Scientists estimate that in 1790 Haleakala erupted to form the jagged lava rock coastline. Now there is a monument and ruins of Hawaiian natives who made their home on the sharp a’a lava rock.
La Perouse is the end of the road, literally, in south Mau‘i. It is located at mile marker 7 at the very end of Makena Alanui Road. From Kihei take Piilani Hwy south to Wailea. Turn right on Wailea Iki road and bear left on to Wailea Alanui Road which turns into Makena Alanui. Look carefully around you as you drive between mile markers 5.5 and 7. On either side you should see fields of a’a littering the landscape.
Location: Upcountry Maui and Haleakala
Located at mile marker 15 on highway 31 on the mauka side is Tedeschi Vineyards and the surrounding 20,000-acre ‘Ulupalakua Ranch.
This is the only commercial winery on the island of Maui. At the winery you can sample their various award-winning wines while enjoying a free tour. A famous pineapple wine, called Maui Blanc, is a popular vintage from Tedeschi Winery. Many folks also like to enjoy samples of Maui Brut Champagne.
Their tasting room, located inside a cottage originally built for Hawai‘i’s King Kalakaua in 1874, is open daily from 9a.m.-5p.m.
If the winery isn’t enough of a reason to stop, the view is. At over two thousand feet above sea level this is a splendid example of what Upcountry Maui has to offer. From this vantage point there are extensive views of both the Central Valley and West Maui Mountains. After Tedeschi Winery, don’t forget the mile markers are going to jump back to 20 again heading towards Kula.
Located at mile marker 15 on highway 31 on the mauka side is Tedeschi Vineyards and the surrounding 20,000-acre ‘Ulupalakua Ranch.
This is the only commercial winery on the island of Maui. At the winery you can sample their various award-winning wines while enjoying a free tour. A famous pineapple wine, called Maui Blanc, is a popular vintage from Tedeschi Winery. Many folks also like to enjoy samples of Maui Brut Champagne.
Their tasting room, located inside a cottage originally built for Hawai‘i’s King Kalakaua in 1874, is open daily from 9a.m.-5p.m.
If the winery isn’t enough of a reason to stop, the view is. At over two thousand feet above sea level this is a splendid example of what Upcountry Maui has to offer. From this vantage point there are extensive views of both the Central Valley and West Maui Mountains. After Tedeschi Winery, don’t forget the mile markers are going to jump back to 20 again heading towards Kula.
Location: Upcountry Maui and Haleakala
At mile 17.5 on Hwy 378 you’ll want to pull into the parking lot on the right side of the road. The elevation here is around 8,800 feet. Cross the road on foot and take the short trail to the overlook for a panoramic view of the vast crater of Haleakala. Many folks don’t even notice this location because at first glance, even along the trail, it appears nothing is here. Don’t make that mistake!
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.
At mile 17.5 on Hwy 378 you’ll want to pull into the parking lot on the right side of the road. The elevation here is around 8,800 feet. Cross the road on foot and take the short trail to the overlook for a panoramic view of the vast crater of Haleakala. Many folks don’t even notice this location because at first glance, even along the trail, it appears nothing is here. Don’t make that mistake!
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.
Location: Northwest Maui
The North West drive from Kapalu around Nakalele Point and on to Wailuku is amazingly beautiful - if the road doesn't scare you off. If you are coming from the North you will pass the pineapple fields of Kapalua, a famous surfing spot at, Honolua Bay and then Honokolau Valley. Nakalele Point and light beacon is immediately after the valley.
When high tide and high surf combine you are likely to witness an explosive show from the Nakalele Blowhole. This phenomenon is caused by the ocean undercutting the shore and forcing seawater up through a large hole in the lava shelf.
The blowhole is variable with the tide and surf, high tide is best. It is 1,200 feet from the road down an incline. Keep your eyes open for a turnout about .5 miles past mile marker 38. You can see the blowhole from this spot but you must follow a trail down approximately 200 feet to reach it.
Use extreme caution approaching the blowhole. Make sure you wear good sandals because there is some rock-skipping involved. Remember, it is possible to take a trip down the blowhole should you get too close. Use common sense and enjoy the show.
The North West drive from Kapalu around Nakalele Point and on to Wailuku is amazingly beautiful - if the road doesn't scare you off. If you are coming from the North you will pass the pineapple fields of Kapalua, a famous surfing spot at, Honolua Bay and then Honokolau Valley. Nakalele Point and light beacon is immediately after the valley.
When high tide and high surf combine you are likely to witness an explosive show from the Nakalele Blowhole. This phenomenon is caused by the ocean undercutting the shore and forcing seawater up through a large hole in the lava shelf.
The blowhole is variable with the tide and surf, high tide is best. It is 1,200 feet from the road down an incline. Keep your eyes open for a turnout about .5 miles past mile marker 38. You can see the blowhole from this spot but you must follow a trail down approximately 200 feet to reach it.
Use extreme caution approaching the blowhole. Make sure you wear good sandals because there is some rock-skipping involved. Remember, it is possible to take a trip down the blowhole should you get too close. Use common sense and enjoy the show.
Location: Southwest Maui
This lighthouse was not only the first in Hawaii but also the first on the US Pacific Coast. Located in front of the Pioneer Inn, it was built in 1840 to help guide whaleboats that were coming ashore.
The tower grew from a 9-foot wooden tower at construction to 26 feet in 1866. Whale oil provided the light that was kept burning by a Hawaiian lighthouse watchman. In 1905, it was rebuilt and in 1916, the US Coast Guard dedicated the current concrete lighthouse. It is still in use.
Located in the center of Lahaina off Front Street.
This lighthouse was not only the first in Hawaii but also the first on the US Pacific Coast. Located in front of the Pioneer Inn, it was built in 1840 to help guide whaleboats that were coming ashore.
The tower grew from a 9-foot wooden tower at construction to 26 feet in 1866. Whale oil provided the light that was kept burning by a Hawaiian lighthouse watchman. In 1905, it was rebuilt and in 1916, the US Coast Guard dedicated the current concrete lighthouse. It is still in use.
Located in the center of Lahaina off Front Street.
Login or Register Here
to remove these ads.
73°F
