World Heritage in Hawaii
According to Acronymmonster, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is located on the Hawaiian archipelago – USA – in the Pacific. The national park was founded in 1916. The area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is 1,308 km². Hilo is the closest town to the national park, about 45 km away. Each year, over 1.1 million tourists visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, located on the largest island known as Hawaii, or the Big Island.
Lava flow from Kilauea Volcano on Big Island
In 1980, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park received 1980 International Biosphere Reserve designation. The national park has had UNESCO World Heritage status since 1987. Today’s Haleakala National Park on the Hawaiian island of Maui was part of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park until 1961, but is now an independent national park.
Endemic fascinating flora and fauna
The isolated evolution of plants and animals on Hawaii began about 70 million years ago. The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to different ecosystems and a very special flora and fauna. So you can find carnivorous caterpillars there, as well as the colorful honeycreeper birds.
Mauna Kea Observatory, large observatory north of the national park
Evolution in miniature
All of the islands of Hawaii are volcanic in origin. Kilauea , the most active volcano on earth, is located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The national park stretches from the Pacific coast to the island’s largest volcano, Mauna Loa (4,168 meters). Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is of great importance for science to better explain the evolution of life on our planet. The landscape of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is characterized by extensive lava fields and volcanoes.
Hiking in the national park
The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has a network of hiking trails that is over 200 km long. There are shelters in the national park for hikes lasting several days. The hikes lead the visitor through the different ecosystems of the national park. When hiking, it is important to have suitable equipment and always carry enough drinking water with you. More information is available from the national park visitor centers. In the evenings, information events on the subject of “Volcanoes National Park” are offered in the Visitor Center.
Camping in the national park
In the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park there are two fairly simple campgrounds. Camping is free there (entrance to the national park is not free). Namakanipaio Campground is located south of Hilo. There is also the Kulanaokuaiki Campground in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Battle of the elements – fire and water – Kilauea lava flows into the sea
Climate in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
The weather in Hawaii is quite unpredictable. Therefore, visitors to the national park should be prepared for everything. Rainwear is essential. The temperatures in the national park can vary. It can be very warm, but also cool, windy and rainy. In any case, it is up to 15°C colder at the higher altitudes of the volcanoes than at sea level.
Endangered nature in the protected area
The animals and plants, the flora and fauna of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park are endangered. Numerous animal species (cats, pigs, rats, ants, mongooses, goats) and foreign plants came to the islands with humans, including the national park. With no natural predators, the newcomers crowd out and destroy Hawaii’s rare and mostly endemic flora and fauna. Cats, rats and goats are the biggest pests. Today, great effort is made to restore and preserve the original ecosystems for future generations as best as possible.
Haleakala National Park – Hawaii
Shield volcano on Maui
The shield volcano Haleakala (East Maui Volcano) is located on the island of Maui in the Hawaiian archipelago of the United States. The volcano occupies three quarters of the area of the island of Maui. According to Hawaiian beliefs, the demigod Maaui captured the sun there. The last eruption of Haleakala was probably in 1790. Recent research says this may have happened 200 years earlier. With a crater circumference of about 34 km, Haleakala is one of the largest volcanoes in the world.
Weathered slope of the open caldera of Haleakala volcano
Haleakala National Park was established in 1916 as part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The two national parks in Hawaii were only separated in 1961. The Haleakala volcano is about 3,000 meters high. Haleakala National Park has a size of 120 km². Haleakala National Park has two visitor centers. There you will find detailed information about the protected area and the special flora and fauna on the Hawaiian island of Maui.
On the crater rim of Haleakala volcano
Several small volcanic cones have formed within the volcanic crater of Haleakala. The unreal landscape of Haleakala National Park attracts many tourists every year. A paved road leads from the coast to the crater rim. Once at the top, you can marvel at the volcanic crater and enjoy the view over the island to the Pacific. If you catch a nice day, you can see the island of Hawaii, about 160 km away from the crater, with its mountains Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.
Smaller volcanic cones in the caldera of Haleakala Volcano
Hiking and horseback riding on Maui
Hikes through the lava fields of Haleakala are possible. But there are not only lava fields to discover on the island. A lush rainforest on the island is home to very special plant and animal communities. Especially the bird, reptile and insect world of the Maui island is very special with many endemic species. The Ohe River tumbles down scenic waterfalls. Swimming is possible in small ponds. In addition to hiking in the Haleakala Conservation Area, horseback riding is very popular. Guided hikes are offered through Haleakala National Park.
Deceptive certainty of the weather
For trips to the national park, you should make sure that you have good equipment, and you should also take rain gear with you. Plus sunglasses, hat and sunscreen. When hiking in the lava fields, you should definitely take drinking water with you. In the crater area, the temperatures are much lower than near the coast. The climate in the rainforest area is subtropical, humid and warm, especially in summer. Mosquitoes are a real plague on Maui at times.
Volcanic landscape Haleakala – out of this world
Camping in Haleakala National Park
The best way to get to the island of Maui is by plane from one of the larger Hawaiian Islands. You can rent a vehicle at the Maui airport. Haleakala National Park is about 40 km away from there. Camping in the backcountry of Haleakala National Park is permitted with permission. Overnight stays on the island of Maui are also available at hotels in surrounding communities on the island. Haleakala National Park is open year-round.
Campsites in the national park
- Oheo Gulch Campground
- Hosmer Campground
