Mighty Mules of Maui

Mighty mules meandering during a majestic Maui morning.

NPS Photo

Mules in a Volcano?

Horse and mule packing has long played a critical role in the management of federal public lands. Campgrounds, trails, cabins, and other facilities in the Haleakalā wilderness require ongoing repairs and maintenance to ensure the safety and enjoyment of park visitors.

Cabins include propane and firewood for visitors to cook meals and heat wood stoves on cold nights. Pit toilets need to be cleaned, maintained, and stocked with toilet paper. All this work requires the transport of tools, equipment, and supplies into backcountry locations. But how is all that work accomplished?

By the Mighty Mules of Maui!

Get to know our current team of nine mules and the work they perform. You might just see them hard at work during your visit!

 

Meet the Mules

 

Hoofin' it with the Mules

In 1964 Congress passed the Wilderness Act to preserve and protect, for current and future generations, "an enduring wilderness" to be enjoyed in such a way to that leaves these areas "unimpaired for future use and enjoyment as wilderness."

What exactly did Congress mean by "wilderness?" In passing the Wilderness Act, they determined that wilderness is an area where the mark and work of humans does not dominate the landscape. Likewise, life in a wilderness area is "untrammeled" by humans--wilderness is an area where we are only visitors and do not remain.

Our team of mules protects these and other characteristics of wilderness areas. The Wilderness Act prohibits the establishment of permanent and temporary roads and the use of motorized equipment or motor vehicles in most cases. Because of this, Haleakalā and other national parks rely on the strength and endurance of pack animals.

During the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) constructed backcountry cabins at Haleakalā using lumber and tools that were hauled into the crater on mules. Today, trail crews doing restoration work or conducting maintenance pack mules for their work trips. This important work couldn't be done without these crucial equine team members.

Join us in saying mahalo nui loa (thank you very much) to the mules that make all of our trips into the Haleakalā wilderness possible!

 

Learn More About Wilderness