Five Tips For A Haleakalā Sunrise
Sunrise on Haleakala is one of those things where youʻll have it ingrained in your memories till the day you die. From the whole adventure of leaving your hotel/accommodations at 2am to drive up and witness the stars 10,000 feet above the ocean. Sitting around in darkness, with many strangers, in 30 degree fahrenheit and wind gust going 20 mph. That view though, it was all worth it for the view of the sun rising.
This, is something you need to plan for, so here are our tips for you to plan a sunrise at Haleakala:
Get the Reservations
As of 2017, You NEED to have a reservation to go and see the sunrise up on Haleakalā. This method was implemented to help control the parking, safety, and wildlife of the summit due to overcrowding the prior years before. If youʻre not able to get one, donʻt try to just show up at the gate, you will be asked to pull on the side and wait till the sun rises to head up.
Needless to say, if you’re able to get the reservation, it’s a view worth all the confusion, early morning drive, and running out of hot coffee before you get to park. Youʻll also have some Native Hawaiians (Kanaka Maoli) or the park rangers doing some ʻoli (chants) that welcomes the sun, but itʻs an experience youʻll never forget.
Full Tank Of Gas
This may seem like a “duh” thing to suggest, but its a real thing people take for granted. You really donʻt want to be stuck 9,000 feet up on Haleakalā and run out of gas. Now it doesnʻt take a full take to make the trip, but you donʻt want to be stranded up 9000 because you saw it at a quarter tank and thought “yeah, I think we got this.”
Thereʻs a Safeway gas station, Costco, and a few local gas stations on your way to the park. You’ll also want to pack up some snacks and water at these locations as they also donʻt have stores, vending machines, or food/drink trucks up there too.
Bring Jackets/Blankets
You will be heading up to a high elevation, so be prepared and pack layers. Yes, it’s Hawaiʻi, but you’ll be 10,000 feet above sea level, with a high wind shear that can drop the temperature to a personal low of 31°F (0ºC). Hats, gloves, blankets, jeans, sweatpants, long sleeve shirts, jackets, all of that! Trust me, youʻll be grateful you bought all that with you.
Plan Your Drive Time
If you’re not staying in the Kula, Makawao, Pukalani, or Haiku area, youʻll need to plan out your drive time. Make sure youʻre going to give yourself plenty of time to get there to stretch out and relax, and not miss the sunrise.
Depending on the time of year and where youʻll start driving from, youʻll need to plan for a 2-2.5 hour drive time to reach the summit. To give you a better idea of what to plan for:
Kahului: 2 hours drive time
Wailea/Kihei: 2 hours drive time
Lahaina: 2:15 hours drive time
Kapalua: 2:30 hours drive time
Hana: 3/3:30 hours drive time
Remember that these are just suggested guidelines of travel time. Weather, road conditions, your driving skills, bathroom breaks, etc… are all x-factors in calculating your drive time.
To save you some time and hassle, you could always book one of the tours we have available. One of the tours we would recommend would be the Sunrise Haleakalā Experience. You will experience the sun’s energy, as it rises while you stand 10,023 feet above sea level. You’ll be picked up at your hotel or condo and experience a fully narrated tour by your knowledgeable guide, who will, among other very interesting facts, relate the story of the Demigod Maui. This is by far a “can’t miss” attraction, especially now, with this awesome special offered by MauiActivities.Com.
Maui No Ka Oi - Hawaiian Music
By: AlohaImZane
Like many cultures all across the globe, the musical roots of Hawaii can be traced back thousands of years, and still be heard today through todayʻs rhythms, percussion instruments, chants, and vocal styles. Hawaiian musicians have also incorporated various styles world wide. From country, reggae, jazz, modern rock, hip-hop, and more. In this blog we will share some favorite Hawaiian Artists to add to your playlist!
Queen Liliʻuokalani – Last Ruling Monarch of Hawaiʻi
Weʻll start with the last ruling Queen of Hawaiʻi, Her Royal Majesty Queen Liliʻuokalani. During her lifetime, the Queen composed more than 200 works. Beginning in 1845, she started her musical training at seven years old as part of her schooling. During her time in school she was an adept sight-singer that developed perfect pitch and proficient in playing the guitar, piano, organ, autoharp, and zither. Her best known work, and our suggested song to add to your playlist of Hawaiʻi, is the song of the loverʻs embrace, known as “Aloha ʻOe”.
Makaha Sons of Niʻihau – Where Israel Kamakawiwoʻole started
Formed in 1976, the group started off with five members, Jerome Koko, Louis “Moon” Kauakahi, Sam Gray, Skippy Kamakawiwoʻole, and the world famous Israel Kamakawiwoʻole. The group that I remember, and brings nostalgic memories, consisted of Moon, Jerome, and Jeromeʻs brother John. We suggest the song Mehaeha/White Sandy Beach. Itʻs somewhat a sad song, but you donʻt feel sad, at least I donʻt, but relaxed…
Ekolu – Hawaiian Reggae from Maui
Starting in 1994 with members Lukela Keala, Akoni Dellomes, and Makapu Hoopii, they were all enrolled in Baldwin High School music class. Day after day they would have jam sessions, and as the years grew, so did their talents. Their style of Hawaiian Reggae has reached people all over the world. Performing in Alaska, Seattle, LA, Colorado, and internationally in Japan. Of all these achievements, their big goal is to share their music with the rest of the world, which they have done many times over. They’re not done though, their latest album was released in 2020 called… 2020. My suggestion would be Honestly from their 2001 album Shores of Waiehu.
Don Ho – No, Iʻm not suggesting THAT song.
Born and raised on the island of Oahu, Don Ho actually left the U.S. Air Force in 1959 due to his mothers developing illness. He began singing at her club in Kaneohe that year. Honeyʻs (his mothers club) grew to be a hotspot for locals and the growing customer base from the Kaneohe Marine Base. He always honored the military remembering his own years of service. In 1963 he moved his mothers club to Waikiki, and later moved his show to the nightclub called Dukeʻs (owned by world renowned suffer Duke Kahanamoku). I would suggest “Iʻll Remember You” written by his friend Kui Lee. Many people have covered the song, including the king of Rock-and-Roll Elvis Presley.
Genoa Keawe – Hawaiian Lady of Song
Genoa Keawe, simply known as Aunty Genoa, is one of the most celebrated Hawaiian recording artists in the first half of 20th century. Hawaiian ethnomusicologist Amy K. Stillman describes Keawe’s importance to Hawaiian music: “In addition to her unrivaled falsetto technique, bell-like yodeling, and her trademark ability to hold high notes for over two minutes, Genoa Keawe is particularly significant for her focus on presenting repertoire for modern hula, i.e., hula performed to westernized melodies and the accompaniment of western instruments such as guitar and ukulele. She operated a hula studio in Pauoa for many years, and has served as a resource for scores of Hawaiian musicians throughout a career that has spanned over 50 years.” If you want music of renaissance Hawaii, Aunty Genoa is our choice.