News Release

Headquarters Visitor Center to Close for Three Days of Asbestos Abatement

Date: February 23, 2018
Contact: Polly Angelakis, 808-572-4450

On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, February 26, 27, and 28, 2018, the Headquarters Visitor Center will close for asbestos abatement, as part of ongoing HVAC improvements. The restrooms, car parking lot, and bus parking will remain open. Headquarters Visitor Center is located at 7,000 feet of elevation, approximately one mile past the Summit Entrance Station.

For the duration of the repairs, Haleakalā Visitor Center, at 9741 feet of elevation, will be the only place where overnight backcountry camping and cabin permits will be issued, until 3pm daily. Backcountry users are strongly encouraged to obtain their permits a day in advance. Haleakalā Visitor Center is 11 miles (a 30-minute drive) past the Summit Entrance Station.

Headquarters Visitor Center repairs include HVAC and hot water systems improvements, while taking care to not affect any historical features of the building. The building’s outdoor lighting system will be upgraded and improved to be both “dark skies compliant” and to better protect the endangered `ua`u (Hawaiian petrel). Haleakalā is one of the best places on earth for night sky viewing. In addition, the `ua`u, which navigates by the stars, becomes disoriented by light pollution.

The project started in mid-January and is expected to take approximately 4-5 weeks. The contract was awarded to Narito Sheetmetal for $213,983.67 and was paid for out of entrance fee dollars.

If this schedule changes, another media advisory will be sent out and updates will be posted on our Facebook page and recorded on our visitor closure line (808-572-4400, option 2).

-NPS-