Place to see: Haleakala, Paia, Hawaii, United States

About this place:

As its name implies, Haleakala is the place on Maui to witness a stellar sunrise. Lahaina is celebrated for its sunset cruises and romantic seafood dinners overlooking the western seaboard and Kihei’s long stretch of white crescent beachfront provides an excellent view of the dipping globe. But unless you’re staying on the eastern shores of the island, such as Hana or Kipahulu, Haleakala is the best place to view the rising sun and it’s an adventure that you’re sure to not forget.

In early Hawaiian folklore, Haleakala crater was home to the grandmother of the mythological hero, Maui. As the legend goes, Maui and his grandmother captured the sun and demanded that it slow its journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day. Today, Haleakala is often referred to as the largest extinct volcanic crater in the world, although volcanic activity in the last 30,000 years has produced several small lava flows and activity continues to be relatively frequent. It stands at over 10,000 feet above sea level, but beneath the ocean, it extends for miles more, making it even larger than Mount Everest.

If you’ve read your guidebooks and done a little research about the Valley Island, you’ve most likely been warned about the long drive up the slopes of the crater and the cold temperatures awaiting you at the summit. Steel yourself for the early morning wake up call (sometime between 2 and 4 am) by brewing a hot pot of Kona coffee in the morning and filling a thermos to enjoy while you await the rising sun. Grit your teeth with each switchback (there are 21 in all!) and pass the miles by imagining the beautiful sight of the golden sun as it rises over fluffy white clouds. And finally, steel yourself for the frigid, raw air and biting winds by dressing warmly and bringing a downy blanket to wrap your body in. Despite these minor discomforts, watching the clouds become rimmed in gold, the sky lighten from dark blue to turquoise to pink and the stars fade away is truly one of Maui’s finest splendors.

A few notes before you go:

- It is cold, so dress warmly!
- There are very few restaurants on the drive up, so if you’re expecting to enjoy at snack at the summit, you’d better pack one the night before
- There are not gas stations, so fill up before you go!
- Although getting there early means a longer wait outside, it’s worth it to get a good spot to view the sunrise
- A popular tourist activity is biking down the slopes of the volcano after the sunrise. Several tour operators pick up their clients and provide bikes, helmets, and warm clothing