News Release

Historic Kapalaoa Wilderness Cabin in Haleakalā Crater Gets Some TLC

two people work on  replacing floor boards inside a primitive cabin
Maintenance Supervisor Matt Padgett and trail crew worker Trevor Garfoot work on replacing the floorboards at Kapalaoa Wilderness Cabin.

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News Release Date: June 16, 2022

Contact: Jin Prugsawan Harlow

KULA, Maui — The National Park Service has good news for cabin users staying at Kapalaoa Wilderness Cabin in Haleakalā Crater. Damaged and worn down from 85 years of use, the original flooring at Kapalaoa Wilderness Cabin was due for replacement. Thanks to a project completed on June 10, 2022, cabin users can now enjoy brand new floors, a fresh coat of paint, and new dishware.

Over the past several weeks, National Park Service trail crews removed boards by hand and placed new flooring down. “I am so proud to have worked on this and many other historic preservation projects at Haleakalā. In the last ten years, we have replaced the cabin's roof, siding, and now flooring,” said Trail Crew Supervisor Matt Padgett. Padgett added, “The old tongue and groove floors lasted 86 years. We selected material that is an exact match to the original, we have a staff of talented craftworkers and the result is a professional-grade wood floor identical to the one installed in the 1930s. We hope that the new flooring will last just as long."

In addition to new flooring, the park's partner Friends of Haleakalā National Park assisted the National Park Service by giving the interior of the cabin a fresh coat of paint. This work was completed by volunteers who hiked into Haleakalā Crater during a two-day service trip.

The improvements made to Kapalaoa Wilderness Cabin result in a better and safer cabin experience for cabin users and help to preserve the integrity of this historic building. The project was funded by park entrance fees. Kapalaoa Wilderness Cabin was built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and journeymen carpenters hired by the National Park Service. In 2009, Kapalaoa Cabin was determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing feature of the CCC Crater Trail District cultural landscape.

Reservations for Kapalaoa and other wilderness cabins in Haleakalā Crater are available at: Recreation.gov. https://www.nps.gov/hale/learn/nature/uau-the-hawaiian-petrel.htm

www.nps.gov/hale



Last updated: June 16, 2022

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Haleakalā National Park
PO Box 369

Makawao, HI 96768

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808 572-4400

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