HAWAII NATURE NOTES
THE PUBLICATION OF THE
NATURALIST DIVISION, HAWAII NATIONAL PARK
AND THE HAWAII NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION
PREFACE
Most of us yearn to travel, and the preliminary to
travel is to choose a place that others, people or books, say is
interesting, then find out more about it.
This guide is to help you find out more about
Haleakala. It is neither a reference book nor a treatise. It sums up
what many have studied and observed. It skims over the myths that the
mountain itself created in the imagination of old Hawaiians. It reflects
also the labor and thought of the compiler. Its aim is to satisfy your
interest while you are here on the brim, or at some other point. For
some of you it may be the start of a deeper curiosity, to be satisfied
by further reading elsewhere.
Think of this booklet as a chatty companion along the
way, and a ready reminder after you have left, of your pleasant
experience at Haleakala.
On the Sliding Sands Trail
The system of 29 National Parks contains areas of
superlative scenic and scientific grandeur essentially in the primitive
state. The National Park Service of the Department of the Interior
administers these, as well as 152 other areas of outstanding national
significance. The law of the land enjoins us to use them in such manner
that they may be passed unimpaired for the enjoyment of future
generations.
The story of HAWAII NATIONAL PARK is the story of
active volcanism singularly marked by eruptions of very fluent lava. The
park is in two sections; that on the island of Maui, discussed in this
guide, includes the great eroded crater of Haleakala Volcano; that on
the island of Hawaii embraces the summits of Mauna Loa and Kilauea
Volcanoes.
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Web Edition Note: The online edition of this Hawaii
Nature Notes is for HISTORICAL PURPOSES ONLY. Please visit Haleakala National Park for
up-to-date travel planning information.
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