Haleakala Backcountry Now OPEN; ʻOheʻo Stream Remains CLOSED

Iconic crater view. Photo courtesy Haleakalā National Park.

By Maui Now Staff

The backcountry area of Haleakalā National Park has re-opened for hiking, camping, and cabin use as of Monday morning, Aug. 31, 2015.

The area was closed on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015 due to potential impacts associated with Hurricane Ignacio.

The backcountry includes all trails, campgrounds and cabins in the Wilderness Crater of the park. Park staff re-assessed conditions today and determined it was safe to re-open the backcountry for hiking, camping, and cabin use.

Park officials say the rest of the park also remains open, including visitor centers, rest rooms, car campgrounds and roads in the Summit District and in the Kīpahulu District. The park is also open for sunrise viewing.

Pool at ʻOheʻo Gulch. Image courtesy Haleakalā National Park.

The ʻOheʻo Stream in Kīpahulu remains closed due to theft of stream monitoring equipment.

The stream is located along the Pīpīwai Trail in the Kīpahulu District of Haleakalā National Park.  Park officials say the theft is believed to have occurred during the night of Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015.

According to the park’s safety policy, the stream must be closed to protect visitors whenever the equipment is not functional.