Sunrise and Sunset

The name Haleakala means "house of the sun" in Hawaiian, and there's no more sublime spot on Maui to witness either a sunrise or a sunset than atop the volcano's 10,000-foot summit. Sunrise is one of the most popular times to visit the park, and there are a number of tours that will have you in place before the big event. Or, just drive up yourself. There are a few things to keep in mind though: the weather is unpredictable, especially at sunrise, when it can be windy and wet. Temperatures are usually below freezing at sunrise, and are not much warmer at dusk, so visitors should dress appropriately. Visitor centers are not open at this time, and there's no food, gas or warm clothing for sale in the park, so plan ahead. If you're driving yourself, note that there are no street lights on the road up and down the mountain, and it takes approximately 1.5 hours to drive from Kahului to the summit. If you plan to self-drive for sunrise, get there early, as parking lots will close when full.