4 Best Gateway Towns To Haleakalā National Park

Anywhere you go in the world, it is difficult to find places that do not just dazzle those who visit but also stupefy. It is no secret, though, that in Hawaii, places such as this are abundant, and one of the best examples is undoubtedly Haleakalā National Park on the island of Maui. The park can essentially be divided into two sections, one centered around the summit of the eponymous Haleakalā volcano and the other centered around the lush and verdant Kipahulu district on the island's south coast. Those who wish to experience this magical landscape, however, aren't limited to simply wild camping; several outlying communities, less than an hour's drive away from each section of the park, offer provisions and comfortable lodging options. Three of these communities are within easy reach of the Summit and Wilderness area, while Hana is undoubtedly the main hub for those wishing to explore the Kipahulu area. Learn more about the best gateway towns to Haleakalā National Park.

Makawao

Makawao, meaning "Eye of the Forest," is a town of about 7,000 right smack dab in the Upcountry Maui area of the island. The town itself is certainly convenient for access to the volcanic section of the park, with the Headquarters Visitor Center being a simple 40-minute drive away via Hawaii Route 377, but the town itself is not to be overlooked; it is a piquant little town full of history with a reputation as a center of the island's paniolo (i.e., Hawaiian-style cowboy) culture.

Prospective travelers will find many unique dining options, a general store, a gas station, and a litany of B&Bs for those seeking overnight accommodations. Of particular note within Makawao itself are the Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center and the Oskie Rice Event Center, home of the long-running Makawao Rodeo.

Pukalani

Almost directly adjacent to Makawao is the slightly larger town of Pukalani (meaning "Window of Heaven"), located conveniently at the intersection of Hawaii Route 37 and Hawaii Route 377. Reaching the Headquarters Visitor Center takes essentially the same amount of time and the same route as from Makawao, i.e., a forty-minute jaunt down Route 377. The town is the largest of the Upcountry communities population-wise, but in terms of how the town presents itself, it is somewhat less tourist-oriented than some of its neighboring settlements and places a stronger emphasis on the local community, although Pukalani is certainly not devoid of provisions and conveniences for those visiting Haleakalā; it boasts several restaurants, two local grocery stores, two gas stations, and many B&Bs. The most prominent local attraction, however, is the Upcountry Farmer's Market just off of Route 37, which attracts visitors from all over the island.

Kula

The town of Kula ("dry and open country") unexpectedly shares the theme of duality with Haleakalā National Park, as the settlement is usually divided into two somewhat loosely defined areas: Upper Kona, centered around Hawaii Route 337 and generally more rural in character, and Lower Kona, centered around Route 37 and being slightly more developed, although the town's overall population is comparable to that of Makawao.

Kula is certainly the most conveniently located of the towns near the Summit area of Haleakalā National Park, with the town being only about a 30-minute drive from the Headquarters Visitor Center at the end of the winding Haleakalā Highway leading directly into the park. Kona itself is well-equipped for those visiting the park, with two hotels in the Upper Kona area and several B&Bs scattered throughout, along with a few small grocery stores, several restaurants, a gas station, and Skyline Hawaii's ziplining venue on the Haleakalā Highway just outside of town. Kona itself does boast its share of attractions, however, with Upper Kona hosting the Kula Botanical Garden and the Aliʻi Kula Lavender Farm, and Lower Kona being home to the historic Holy Ghost Mission.

Hana

Those seeking to visit the Kipahulu portion of the park, the optimal "hub" town would undoubtedly be Hana, an enchanting settlement of about 1,500 sequestered on the easternmost edge of the island along the legendary Hana Highway (or Hawaii Route 360 if one prefers to be technical), widely regarded as one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Hana itself is practically an open secret; it is not altogether heavily trafficked by tourists and is generally quiet, but many celebrities live or have lived in the surrounding vicinity, attracted by the jungle-like environs and the town's legendary surfing culture.

The Kipahulu Visitor Center is about a 30-minute drive south along the Hana Highway, as is the adjacent ʻOheʻo Gulch, arguably the primary attraction in the Kipahulu section of the park. Those hunkering down in Hana have access to several resorts, hotels, and B&Bs, several restaurants, two small grocery stores, a gas station, and even Hana Airport, which sees regular flights to Kahului via Mokulele Airlines. The attractions aren't just limited to outside of town, however; the Hāna Cultural Center and Museum tells the story of the community as outlined by its kūpuna (i.e. its learned elders,) and on the shore is Waiʻānapanapa State Park with its legendary black sand beach and curious tidal caves.

Different Towns for Different Sides

Visiting the two sides of Haleakalā National Park is almost like visiting two different islands. The ethereal, almost alien atmosphere of the Summit and Wilderness area could not contrast more with the dense tropical forest of the Kipahulu section, and yet even though the two sections aren't even directly connected by road, the two seemingly coexist in perfect harmony, offering two very different types of stay for different types of travelers all in the same park on the same island. Those wishing to visit one, the other, or both are, without a doubt, well catered for, as the colorful communities of Upcountry Maui and the hidden treasure that is Hana all play their respective parts in ensuring that a visit to Haleakalā is as rich and fulfilling as its stalwart reputation promises.