• Cindercones dot the landscape in the Wilderness Area

    Haleakalā

    National Park Hawai'i

There are park alerts in effect.
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  • Water shortage at summit

    The visitor center nearest the summit is very low on water. Please use the toilets at Headquarters Visitor Center near the park entrance if possible.

  • Drive cautiously - Endangered birds land on roadway

    Nene (Hawaiian geese) and 'ua'u (Hawaiian petrels) are nesting in the park and may land on or frequent park roads and parking lots. Drivers are reminded to drive at the posted speed limits and exercise caution.

  • Construction Traffic - May 20

    On May 20, from 6:30am to 11:00am, construction trucks will be using the park road. The road will remain open to staff and visitors.

  • Summit District Parking Lot Rehabilitation In Progress

    During construction, parking spaces at Haleakala Visitor Center (near the summit) will be reduced by at least 50%. Construction is scheduled for May 22 through June 6. Visitors and tour operators may experience delays. More »

Plant Communities

From the dry subalpine shrubland to the humid rainforests of Kipahulu, Haleakala National Park contains a great diversity of unique plant communities, many of which are found only in Hawai'i.

Saw a cool native plant during your visit to Haleakala? Identify it using our plant ID flashcards! Each PDF file contains a series of plant flashcards for different areas of the park, with pictures, descriptions, and locations where you might see them.

 
shrubland

Subalpine shrubland [click to download - 2MB PDF]

Slow-growing native shrubs capture moisture on the upper slopes of Haleakala. The shrubland hosts ancient ohelo, pukiawe, and geraniums, with remnant pockets of shady 'ohia and sandalwood ('iliahi) groves.

 
Haleakala aeolian desert

NPS photo

Crater aeolian desert [click to download - 2MB PDF]

The arid Aeolian desert of the crater's interior is home to hardy water-saving species like orange-berried coffee relative pilo, the branching Seusslike shrubs of kupaoa, and, of course, the hardy silversword.

 
Kaupo

NPS Photo

Kaupo Gap mesic forest [click to download - 1MB PDF]

The trail from Paliku through Kaupo Gap traverses a unique ecotone ranging from mesic koa forest to dry shrubland to alien coastal jungle.

 
Kipahulu

NPS Photo

Coastal Kipahulu [click to download - 1MB PDF]

The salt-washed shores of the Kipahulu District are home to unique natives adapted to salt spray, hot sun and lots of rain.

 
crater pine small

Invasive Plants of Haleakala National Park [click to download - 2MB PDF]

Invasive nonnative plants like fireweed, telegraph weed, and pine trees threaten to invade vulnerable native plant communities, destroying ancient plant assemblages and habitat for native birds. Park staff are actively managing these species to preserve pristine native eocsystems in the crater, frontcountry and the Kipahulu Valley Biological Reserve.

 
 
  • Upper Kīpahulu Valley Upper Kīpahulu Valley

    Scientific Preserve is a sanctuary for rare native plants and animals, some of whom are the last of their kind... Read More

  • Silverswords Silverswords

    You can help these unique plants flourish at Haleakalā... Read More

  • Birds of Haleakalā Birds of Haleakalā

    An illustrated guide to the birds of Haleakalā National Park Read More

Did You Know?

The peak of Mauna Loa is visible across the ocean in this coastal view at Kipahulu.

When conditions permit, you can see across the channel to the island of Hawaiʻi while enjoying the coastal views in the Kīpahulu Area of Haleakalā National Park.