“It was the sublimest spectacle I ever witnessed, and I think the memory of it will remain with me always.”
– Mark Twain
When we started planning our adventures for our vacation, I knew I wanted to watch the sunrise from the top of Haleakalā in Maui, Hawai’i. Known as the “House of the Sun” in Hawaiian, Haleakalā’s volcanic summit rises over 10,000 feet above sea level, providing an unparalleled vantage point to witness the dawn of a new day. Not only would I see something unique to the morning I toured, but I would also be visiting a national park.
Booking a tour
The adventure begins long before the first rays of sunlight touch the horizon. For most visitors, the journey requires an early morning wake-up call, often as early as 2 or 3 a.m. I agree with the recommendation to book the excursion as close to your arrival day to take advantage of the time difference. No need to clutch your pearls over a 2 am wake time, that was basically 7 am Tyler time. I booked with Skyline since they offer hotel pickup, a heavy jacket to use and breakfast after the sunrise. I met the driver of the small bus at the hotel lobby at 2:45 am. I was so nervous I would get car sick. I’m not susceptible to motion sickness but reading reviews it sounded like a real possibility. Driving up the winding Haleakalā Highway in the pre-dawn hours can feel surreal, there are so many stars! It was so dark you can’t see any of the landscape, only the bright stars. Our guide recommended we sleep on the way up and he would give information on the way down.
What to wear
It is cold and windy at the top. You arrive about 5:40 am, in the pitch dark, and you need to be dressed for 30–40-degree weather. I stood out there for close to an hour because I wanted to see the entire sunrise unfold. I found this neck pillow that I used to hold an REI down jacket, scarf, hand warmers and gloves. The hand warmers are probably what made it possible for me to stand there. I placed them in my shoes. If my feet are warm than I’m typically able to handle to the cold. I also used their heavier jacket with a hood. I really appreciate they offered a jacket and not a blanket like another tour group I noticed on the summit.
Watching the sunrise
To have an unobstructed view you have to claim your spot early and stand there. There is a rail that you cannot pass and a small visitor center. I stood to the left of the visitor center right by a big rock. As the sky begins to lighten, shades of pink, orange, and gold gradually illuminate the horizon. The sun emerges slowly, casting its golden glow over the crater’s otherworldly landscape, a scene that looks like something from another planet. The valley below becomes visible as the sun rises and the clouds dissipate which adds depth to the experience. On my tour day the clouds were much higher in the sky, and we were able to see the ocean below. According to our tour guide the ocean is visible only a few times a year.
Breakfast at the Mill House
We left the summit about 7:00 am to make our way to the breakfast location. On the way up the summit we placed our order and it sounded really good. I’m a little bummed I didn’t try the macadamia pancakes. The Mill house is in the Maui Tropical Plantation. This was a surpise treat for me. The area is beautiful with green plants, flowers, water features and historical information. They also have a large gift shop which happened to sell the best macadamia white chocolate cookie i’ve ever had. After breakfast we started our journey back to the various hotels.
A Memory to Cherish
Experiencing the sunrise at Haleakalā was a highlight of my trip to Maui—it’s a spiritual and emotional connection to the natural world. The sheer beauty and tranquility of the moment serve as a powerful reminder of nature’s wonders and our place within it.
What I’d do differently
I really had an enjoyable experience. If I did this tour again, I would make sure my phone is fully charged and bring a backup battery charger. I would also sit closer to the front of the minibus. I didn’t get sick but closer to the front would help reduce my chances and I would have the panoramic view on the way down. I would pack warmer gloves. I had my camera out or holding my phone. The gloves I packed were quite flimsy and almost useless. I would have bought another cookie at the gift shop.
The Gosdin Group 