• MAUI is the second largest of the Hawaiian islands. Many folks agree with the old saying "Maui no ka oi" ("Maui is the best").

 

• Certainly the best known hiking areas are to be found in Haleakala National Park. If you are in shape, you can do Haleakala Crater in a day descending from the summit (10,000 ft.) along the Sliding Sands Trail to the crater floor (6500 ft.), hiking across the crater and exiting via the Halemauu Trail to the road (8000 ft.). This is about 12 miles. You may then want to catch a ride to your car which will be several miles away. An alternative would be to descend part way down Sliding Sands and return the same way. Views are best in early morning and late afternoon.
• In the coastal area of the park, beyond Hana, there is a trail leading from the so-called 'Seven Pools' to Waimoku Falls about 2 miles upstream. Wainapanapa State Park near Hana has cabins, safe camping, and very interesting 4 mile coastal trail across rough lava. You can fly into Hana airport and hike to the park along this trail (about 2 miles). For cabins, reserve well in advance by writing or calling the Division of State Parks, P.O. Box 1049, State Office Bldg., Wailuku, HI 96793 (808-243-7389).
• There is also a cabin, trail shelters and a network of forest trails at Polipoli State Park (elev. 6000 ft.). The access road to Polipoli is often in bad condition and may require a 4 wheel drive vehicle. Polipoli is often socked in by clouds and the forest is non-native making it perhaps less interesting to the visitor.
• There are beautiful hikes in other areas of Maui, especially in the West Maui Mountains, but the trails are harder to find and seldom maintained. A good area to explore would be Iao Valley State Park which has several short trails that are frequently traveled. A scenic lookout and native garden enhances the area.
• Waihe'e Ridge features a well maintained State trail ending at an impressive overlook of deep gorges and massive ridges leading to Pu'u Kukui, one of the wettest areas on earth. Pu'u Kukui itself, is a managed area and off-limits to hiking.

 

• There are 30 miles of trails in the crater, two camping areas, and three cabins. (Inquire about water availability before starting.) You can easily spend several days here camping (or using the cabins). There are cinder cones, lava flows, native plants and birds, and lots of silence.
• If you desire, you can cross the crater and descend through the Kaupo Gap to the coast (14 miles and hard on the knees). You are out of the park now but you can camp on the coast near Kaupo Church (a peaceful and lovely spot but lacking in fresh water). From there follow the road to the Seven Pools area where you reenter the national park and can camp again. At some point, however, you will probably want to arrange for a ride back to Hana or Wailuku.
• To reserve cabins you must enter a lottery 3-4 months in advance, i.e. the drawing held June 1st is for dates in August. Send your name and the preferred dates and locations (Holua Cabin for Halemauu exit, Paliku Cabin for Kaupo Gap exit, Kapalaoa Cabin for center of the crater) to Superintendent, Haleakala National Park, P.O. Box 537, Makawao, HI 96768 (808-572-4400). Cabins have bunks, woodstove, and fuel.
• The campgrounds in the crater are seldom filled and one can generally sign up at Park Headquarters upon arrival.
• There is also a campground in Hosmer Grove near the Park Headquarters.
• The only other area for backpacking on Maui that does not involve special permission and some local expertise is Polipoli State Park. The Skyline Trail descends from the Haleakala summit to Polipoli (8 miles) and there are other, shorter trails in the area. Again you would have to arrange for a ride from Polipoli to Wailuku or wherever you wanted to end up.

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