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Haleakala National Park, Maui - Awesome National Park In Hawaii

4 Awesome National Parks In Hawaii (2024)

Considered a ‘Paradise for the travelers’, Hawaii is one of the most visited places on the globe. Adorned with tropical forests, mind blowing waterfalls, picturesque wildlife, breathtaking volcanic sites and scenic views, Hawaii is the perfect destination for a soothing and a blissful vacation. Although famous for its islands and sea food, Hawaii has yet other lesser popular but equally amazing tourist spots to offer. The National Parks of Hawaii are one of these amazing tourist spots to visit when in Hawaii. These national parks celebrate the culture and tradition of the island and pay tribute to its poignant beauty and uniqueness of Hawaii.

4 Awesome National Parks In Hawaii

Home to some of the most beautiful volcanoes and waterfalls, these national parks of Hawaii are worth the visit during your Hawaii trip. So, let’s not waste any more time and know about some of them in more detail.

  1. Haleakala National Park, Maui: Popularly known as ‘The House of the Sun’, Haleakala National Park is home to some of the most captivating sunsets and sunrises in the world. This national park is situated in the Hawaiian island of Maui and is one of the most popular tourist spots in Hawaii. Particularly visited by the Haleakala Crater, Haleakala National Park is home to the dormant Haleakala volcano and is located 10,023 feet above the sea level. Situated in an area of about 33,200 acres, the Haleakala National Park has two sides: the coastal side and the summit side. On the summit side, a visit to the Haleakala volcano is one of the must-do exercises on Maui. You can drive as far as possible up to the culmination, which will take you to a height of about 10,000+ ft. The perfect activity to do here is to see the Haleakala dawn from the highest point, which is also one of the most famous activities to do in Maui. A permit is needed for visiting this park between 3am and 7am because of its popularity. On the off chance if you are less likely to get up very early, it is a commendable action to visit the recreation centre during the day and visit the summit around then. Other than exploring the Haleakala summit, the other commendable activities to do on this side of Maui’s public park is the Haleakala Crater hike where you get to hike into the famous Haleakala Crater that has the celebrated desert scene views. There’s additionally a “rear side” of Haleakala, which is considered its coastal side and is called the Kipahulu area. There is no connection by road between the two sides of the national park. You can get to the coastal side of the park by driving through the acclaimed Hana Highway, which isn’t a part of the public park however itself is a mind-blowing activity completely all alone. The main exercises on the coastal side of the public park consist of a climb through Maui’s celebrated bamboo forest. There are also some cascades to explore on this side of the public park. There are also free camping areas on both sides of the public park that you can access via vehicle. The Hosmer Grove campsite on the summit side and the Kipahulu camping area on the coastal side are some of the notable ones.
  2. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Big Island): Popularly called ‘The Big Island’ or ‘The Island’, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a popular site to see live flowing molten lava. Situated on the Big Island, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is not like any normal public park that you might have been to, as it is home to 5 volcanoes within the site, out of which four are still active. Kīlauea and Mauna Loa are two of its volcanoes that are surprisingly the most active on the planet. This park gives the best experience of lava seeing on the entire planet. There are 2 principal roads inside the park. One is Crater Rim Drive where you can see sulphur banks, steam vents, and a “trail of devastation” and the other, Chain of Craters Road leads you to the coast. It’s a great experience to see Hawaiian petroglyphs and it’s likewise amazing to see where old magma streams have halted directly right on the road surface. Another of the best options in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a trek into a crater that used to be a magma lake. What’s more, in case you’re keen on volcanoes, there are different activities on the Big Island outside of the public park to see reminders of past volcanic action. There are portions of the island where you can see tremendous magma fields which are otherwise popular as incredible spots to see old magma streams in Hawaii. There are also a lot of black sand sea shores to explore which got its dark tone because of volcanic activities. (Old magma streams dissolved away and transformed into dark sand.) You can likewise hike through the magma fields, or you can otherwise do a cavern hike through a magma tube too in this park.
  3. Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park: Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park and Place of Refuge is a cherished place of Hawaiian history, a chance to venture back in time and to revisit history. These hallowed grounds are surprisingly a safeguarded sanctuary of Hawaii’s past and a brilliant spot for exploration. Today, the recreation centre additionally fills in as a shelter for guests simply looking for a serene spot to come and unwind along the shoreline of Honaunau Bay. Up until the nineteenth century, local Hawaiians were administered by extremely strict kapu, or laws. For a Hawaiian inhabitant, the punishment for violating any of these laws was practically death. The best way to get away from this punishment was to escape to a set up spot of shelter, called pu’uhonua, or ‘place of refuge’. Pu’uhonua o Honaunau refers to “place of refuge at Honaunau”. On the off chance that an individual managed to advance securely to the pu’uhonua, they would be exonerated in the wake of playing out specific ceremonies, which were managed by a Hawaiian priest. Honaunau is one of three Hawaii national parks on the Big Island consisting of clean and perfectly kept grounds. The Pu’uhonua National Park also comprises a complex of archaeological destinations as well as renovated temples, covered cabins, ki’i (wood carvings) of ancient Gods, and a 1000 foot (305 meter) long stone wall constructed during the 1500s. There are also availability of rangers which discuss life during the antiquated Hawaii and the part of the pu’uhonua every day between 10:30am and 2:30pm. Live history displays showcased inside the park give a useful insight into what life may have been similar to during the antiquated Hawaii. With coconut palms dissipated all through and the sea delicately lapping along the sandy shore, Pu’uhonua o Honaunau is quiet, tranquil, and inviting. The “sea shore” here has little pockets of sand along a shoreline which consists generally of smooth ‘pahoehoe’ magma. On the off chance if you are adequately fortunate to show up in the late evening, you will discover the national park to be at its best view about an hour prior to dusk.
  4. Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park: Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park is one of the most popular sites to visit in Hawaii. Honokohau Beach and Aiopio Beach comprise the most important parts of the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, saving preserved gems of an old Hawaiian human advancement. Only two miles north of Kailua-Kona, the 1160-acre wide, Kaloko-Honokohau is home to numerous important Hawaiian antiquities and archeological sites, petroglyphs, sea shores, trails, freshwater springs and three fishponds, giving proof that the zone once upheld a sizeable Hawaiian people group. The delightful setting along the coast makes Kaloko-Honokohau National Park an awesome spot to explore. It is one of the five National Parks on the Big Island and an incredible spot for a moderately simple Hawaii hike, less than 1.5 miles (2.5k) from south to north. The first of the Big Island sea shores that you will come across while exploring the park is the Aiopio Beach which is simply a short stroll past the southern access to Kaloko-Honokohau National Park, south of Honokohau Beach. Quiet and tranquil, Aiopio Beach is uncrowded with a serene appeal and an alleviating energy. Shielded from sea floods by offshore reefs, delicate wisps of waves lap delicately at the shoreline. The next in line is the Honokohau Beach which is about a quarter mile north of Aiopio Beach. This blended sand beach is a beautiful mix of squashed white and pink coral, dark magma and pieces of shell parts, giving rise to a seasoning mix appearance. Proceeding to the north upto another half-mile or something like that (800 meters) carries you to one of the most amazing wonders of the national park, Kaloko Fishpond. The actual pond is mesmerizing, a lavish oasis overflowing with life, bordered by rich parklands of green grasses and bushes. Ocean birds swim in the shallows, while fish decently dance as they jump out of the water – all over.

These were some of the National Parks that one must definitely visit when in Hawaii.

FAQ’s For Tourists Planning to Visit National Parks in Hawaii

Q1. Is It Safe To Visit The National Parks In Hawaii Owing To The Presence Of Active Volcanoes There?

Ans: Yes, it is safe to visit them. The authorities take all required precautions and measures to ensure full safety of the visitors.

Q2. Are Rentals Available To Reach These National Parks?

Ans: Owing to their popularity, all types of rentals are available to reach them.

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