D-HALEAKALA+NATIONAL+PARK

__**Haleakala National Park**__


//**Park Profile**//:
 * Haleakala is located in Maui, one of the islands of Hawaii [[image:http://z.about.com/d/gohawaii/1/0/o/Y/4/haleakala_national_park_001.jpg width="210" height="168" align="left"]]


 * [|Haleakala National Park] consists of 28, 655 protected acres of which 19,270 acres are wilderness.
 * Normal temperature throughout year ranges from 32-65 degrees Fahrenheit
 * There are seven different [|national parks in Hawaii]; Haleakala is the only one located on the island of Maui
 * Haleakala is in the Southwest Pacific region of the United States
 * Visitors per year: 1 million
 * Haleakala crater is one of the most popular sites in the park



//**History of Haleakala**//: Haleakala became a national park on July 1, 1961. It was originally been designated part of [|Hawaiian Volcanoes National Parks]. It became a part of the [|International Biosphere Reserve Organization] in the 1980's. Haleakala became a national park because the volcanic ecosystem needed to be preserved. Many uncommon species dwell there, and for some it is the only habitat that they would be able to survive in. Haleakala is a national site because it is a unique volcanic region; it does not contain any historical monuments.

media type="custom" key="5370787"Documentary video of one visitor's trip to Haleakala

 * //Environmental Issues//**:

__Weather:__ The [|weather] near Haleakala volcano can change drastically. In a matter of minutes the weather can change from sunny and warm, to windy and rainy. Near Haleakala summit, the temperature is usually about 32 degrees below sea level temperature for that day. [|Air Quality] is usually very good in Haleakala National Park, but sometimes there may be slight smog. This air pollution usually comes from a nearby volcano. When vacationing in Haleakala National Park, be prepared for any kind of weather condition.

__Geology__: Haleakala is a volcano that is 7.5 miles in length and 2.5 miles in width. According to researchers, the volcano is about two million years old. The volcano is considered active, though the last eruption is estimated to be around 1480-1600 A.D. Haleakala crater is said to have formed about 120,000 to 150,000 years ago.

__Inhabitants:__ There are many unusual and rare species that dwell in the volcanic and forestry regions of Haleakala. Many species that inhabit these areas are endanger and cannot survive in any other ecosystem or area. The [|Nene], (a Hawaiian goose), is among these rare [|animals]. Only 30 Nene existed in 1951, which made it the rarest type of goose still alive. Haleakala is trying to protect these Nenes from extinction. The hoary bat, Hawaiian monk seal, and the 'I'iwi (Hawaiian honeycreeper) are also animals that inhabit Haleakala. Many interesting and uncommon [|plants] populate this volcanic region. Some examples are the Kukaenene, the Mamane Blossom and the Hinahina.




 * //Recreational Activities//**:

There are a few different regions of Haleakala National Park: volcanic, forest/open land, and coastal. A visitor can do many different activities in each of these regions. Haleakala National Park is a great outdoors escape for the entire family. There are many different [|activities] to do and so much to learn about the surrounding world when one vacations here.
 * [|Biking] is popular at Haleakala Park; visitors can bike from the entrance of the park all the way to Pa'ia, which is near Mavi's North Shore. (There is a five dollar fee associated with the use of the bike trails.)
 * Take a drive on [|Haleakala Crater Road]. You can observe the sub-tropical forests and the open land.
 * Visitors can also [|hike] the designated trails up to Haleakala, and observe the beautiful [|sunrise][[image:http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Y6NVQwNUsLY/Si1sV_6MqjI/AAAAAAAAACw/7j_gWNwxLoE/s400/Haleakala+crater+hike.jpg width="276" height="207" link="http://www.gohawaii.com/stories/stories.html?video=4"]]
 * [|Camping] is also available to visitors. A couple of cabins located in the Haleakala Crater can be rented for a short period of time. (Reservations must be made well in advance.)
 * Observe rare wildlife in any region of the park.

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For more information about reservations and fees, [|click here].

Works Cited: (n.d.). Retrieved February 12, 2010, from Google Images. (n.d.). Retrieved February 12, 2010, from Google Videos. (2007). Retrieved February 9, 2010, from Maui Downhill. //East Maui, or Haleakala- A Potentially Hazardous Volcano//. (2003, February 20). Retrieved February 5, 2010, from Hawaiian Volcano Observatory: http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanoes/haleakala/ //Haleakala//. (2010). Retrieved February 2010, from National Park Service: www.nps.gov //Haleakala National Park Summit Area//. (2010). Retrieved February 15, 2010, from About.com: http://gohawaii.about.com/od/haleakala/p/haleakalasummit.htm Uhler, J. W. (1995-2007). Retrieved February 5, 2010, from Haleakala National Park Visitors Guide: http://www.haleakala.national-park.com/visit.htm