In the natural laboratory of the park, students can experience first-hand the human history, geology, and biological wonders that make Hawaii and Haleakala special.

There are two ways to visit the park with your class:
1. Schedule one of our curriculum-based programs, guided by park staff
2. Schedule a visit without park staff, exploring on your own.

If you can't come to the park, you can still include the National Park System in your classroom. Check out LearnNPS for more.

Educational Fee Waivers

National Park Service regulations allow school groups and other bona fide national and international educational institutions to obtain a waiver of park entrance fees, provided that the visit is for educational or scientific purposes, and the resources or facilities the group proposes to use support those purposes.

Educational fee waivers are not granted automatically. Applicant groups must show they qualify for the waiver. There are three criteria the group must meet to qualify for an educational fee waiver: eligibility, educational purpose, and relevance of park resources or facilities. 

Additional information on criteria and application procedures is located in the documents below. For additional questions, please call 808-572-4443.

Fee Waiver Criteria & Application Instructions

Fee Waiver Application 2011

Curriculum-Based Programs
These programs were designed to address Hawaii DOE standards for each grade level. While some walking is included in each program, educational goals are met through activities which attempt to involve every student.

K-1st grade: "Home is Where the Habitat Is" Students explore Hosmer Grove to discover that animals need food, shelter, and friends too. (1 hour; 25 student maximum, 1/4 mile)

2nd grade: in development

3rd grade: "Who lives at Haleakala National Park?" Conducted among the wildlife and native plants of the park, these fun activities help explain how those very special species came to the islands, how they adapted and what makes them unique. (From 9am to 1pm including lunchtime; 60 student maximum, 1/2 mile)

4th grade: "A Walk Through Time" As they walk and do activities on a historic trail through native shrubland, students discover that environment and culture are tied together, and affect one another. (From 9am to 1pm including lunchtime and 30 minutes transit time in the park; 60 student maximum, 1.5 miles at elevation)

5th grade: "If Rocks Could Talk" Students hike a dramatic volcanic landscape as geologists would, mapping and doing exercises that teach them to listen to the landscape and its secrets. (Program runs from 9am to 1pm including lunchtime and one hour of transit time in the park; 60 student maximum, 1 mile at elevation)

6th grade: In development.

Grades above 6th are also welcome! Call the education coordinator to discuss scheduling a guided program for upper grades or college groups.

Scheduling a curriculum-based program with park staff:   

• There is no charge for these programs.
• Programs are offered when weather allows: 10 weeks in spring (mid-March through May), and 4 weeks in the fall (October).
• We must receive your request at least one month prior to your proposed visit. Tell us your proposed group size, grade level, and the best dates for your visit. Once you have scheduled, a pre-visit packet of activities will be sent, post-visit activities are provided at the time of your visit.
• Call 808 572-4453 early in the school year to schedule; our calendar fills fast!

Bus Subsidies (We know buses are expensive!):
IF you are a Maui county teacher, 2. AND if you have scheduled a visit for your class on one of our guided programs listed above, THEN we can help you with subsidizing the costs of renting a bus to the park. The Hawaii Natural History Association assists the park in its mission and provides grants for subsidizing the costs of bus trips to the park. Ask the education coordinator for details.

Do you want a program with park staff?

Call the park's Environmental Education Coordinator (EEC) AT (808) 572-4453 at least one month before your proposed visit. Have some dates in mind, know your group size and what your goals are for the trip and what you want to teach in the field. Let us know what grade/age you teach. No fee waiver will be needed of you have scheduled a park staff program through the park's EEC - we'll let the Entrance Station know you're with us.

Do you want to visit on your own, without park staff or other agencies?

Call the park's EEC at least one month prior to let them know when you plan to come. (80 kids in line for the same bathroom can put a snag in your itinerary and the plans of other school groups visiting the park!) The EEC can send you a fee waiver form and contact information for the Fee Manager. This is necessary if you don't want to be charged an entrance fee for your group when you try to enter the park. The Fee Manager will determine if your group qualifies for an educational fee waiver. Remember, you might be affiliated with a school, but you have to demonstrate why your students will be learning from the experience, not just sight-seeing. You must apply for this one month prior. Keep in mind that Wilderness Area trails can have no more than 12 hikers per group,and that groups must be spaced 30 minutes apart on the trail. Call the EEC for ideas about how to meet your education goals while following the rules that protect the park: (808) 572-4453.

Do you want to encourage your students to get involved through volunteer work?

Call the park's Volunteer Coordinator at (808) 572-4487. The VC is in touch with all the working groups in the park and is best situated to find a rewarding match for your group. Again, the more lead time in planning, the more rewarding the experience.

Do you want to go into the Nature Conservancy's Waikamoi Preserve?

The preserve is outside park boundaries, but entrance is through the park. Call TNC's Maui office at (808) 572-7849 to schedule. Also call the park EEC to let the park know your gang will be using the bathrooms and possibly lunch space. Otherwise, things can be pretty crowded if there's 60 third graders along with a class of high school students in the same area. No need to get a fee waiver, TNC lets our Entrance Station know, you will not be charged and entrance fee. If TNC cannot meet your schedule, contact the park EEC to see if park staff can assist.

Do you want to visit the observatories?

Although you travel through the park, the facilities are not part of the park and are outside our boundaries. To arrange a time to visit, contact the University of Hawaii Institute of Astronomy via their website. Next, call the park EEC to warn them your class will be in the park, standing in lines for bathrooms. No need to get a fee waiver, the UH lets our Entrance Station know, you will not be charged an entrance fee.

Other Educational Opportunities

Rock Box
Educators on Maui can borrow a traveling Rock Box from Haleakala National Park. It includes three identical sets of rock samples, magnifying glasses, identification cards, teacher resources and curriculum ideas. Call the education coordinator for details.

Neighbors
Great places to visit just outside the park, on the same road! These facilities are not affiliated with the park and are outside park boundaries and jurisdiction. Your must contact these groups to schedule programs or tours with them. If you have scheduled programs with them, you will not need a fee waiver to enter and pass through the park. However, if you will stop in the park to use bathrooms or picnic grounds, you must apply for a fee waiver and contact the education coordinator by phone or fax at least one month in advance.

Contact our Education Coordinator
EE Coordinator
c/o Haleakala National Park
PO Box 369
Makawao, HI 96768
808 572-4453 phone
808 572-1304 fax