Haleakala to resume sunrise viewing
Light peeks through the clouds during sunrise over Haleakala crater. The national park is reopening for sunrise starting Saturday. HONEYGIRL DUMAN photo
Sunrise at Haleakala tints the clouds a bright orange and pink. Starting at 7 a.m. today, sunrise reservations can be made up to seven days in advance at recreation.gov. GABE AHRENS photo
Light peeks through the clouds during sunrise over Haleakala crater. The national park is reopening for sunrise starting Saturday. HONEYGIRL DUMAN photo
Sunrise at Haleakala tints the clouds a bright orange and pink. Starting at 7 a.m. today, sunrise reservations can be made up to seven days in advance at recreation.gov. GABE AHRENS photo
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The Maui News
Haleakala National Park is reopening for sunrise viewing starting Saturday, the park has announced.
Starting at 7 a.m. today, sunrise reservations can be made at recreation.gov up to seven days in advance. Cost for a sunrise reservation is $1 per vehicle, which is not part of the entrance fee. Visitors with National Park Passes should bring their pass and ID to the gate.
Reservations allow access to the Summit District from 3 to 7 a.m. and can only be used for the day specified on the reservation. Visitors without a reservation will not be admitted to the park, and reservations will not be issued at the entrance station.
For questions, call the recreation.gov hotline at (877) 444-6777.
All sunrise reservation holders are encouraged to practice social distancing and spread out among the four popular viewpoints for sunrise viewing: Pu'u'ula'ula (or Red Hill Summit) at 10,023 feet; Haleakala Visitor Center overlook areas at 9,740 feet; Kalahaku Overlook at 9,324 feet; and Leleiwi Overlook at 8,840 feet. Leleiwi Overlook is accessed via a 10-minute hike from its parking lot. The Red Hill Observatory and Haleakala Visitor Center buildings remain closed.
Also beginning Saturday, the park will resume collection of park entrance fees, which are $30 per private vehicle, $25 per motorcycle and $15 per pedestrian or bicycle and valid for three days. Full rates are available at nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/fees.htm.
Holders of Hawaii Tri-Park Annual Passes with expiration dates from March 20 to June 30 will get an extension on their passes until Aug. 31.
The following areas open in Haleakala National Park are accessible daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
• The Summit District from the park entrance to the summit at the 10,023-foot elevation.
• Headquarters Visitor Center public restrooms at 7,000 feet. (The visitor center building remains closed.)
• Haleakala Visitor Center public restrooms at 9,740 feet. (The visitor center building remains closed.)
• Hosmer Grove Trail.
• Hosmer Grove Picnic Shelter.
• Supply Trail from Hosmer Grove to Halemau'u Trail junction. (Halemau'u Trail remains closed.)
• Leleiwi Overlook Trail.
• Pa Ka'oao (White Hill) Trail.
• Kalahaku Overlook.
The park is continuing its phased reopening, and all other areas, including the Kipahulu District, all crater hiking trails and campgrounds remain closed. All commercial permits continue to be suspended.
The park service recommends leaving the Summit District no later than 3:30 p.m. to allow adequate driving time to the park entrances before gates close promptly at 5 p.m. Visitors should bring a face mask, hand sanitizer, warm layers of clothing and enough food and water for their visit.
For more information, visit nps.gov/hale.