Haleakalā Draws 1.2 M Visitors in 2016, Sunrise Viewing Up 21%

PC: Haleakalā National Park

Haleakalā National Park recorded 1,263,558 visitors in 2016, the National Park Service’s centennial year, up 4% (46,786 visitors) from 2015.

The park’s sunrise visitation grew by 21% from 2015 to 2016, five times the overall visitation increase.

A 2015 National Park Service study shows that visitors to Haleakalā National Park spend over $76 million annually in Maui communities. That spending supports over 900 jobs in the local area and has a cumulative benefit to the local economy of over $91 million per year.

“We at Haleakalā National Park continue to proudly welcome visitors from next door, across the country and around the world,” said park Superintendent Natalie Gates.

The increase caused long wait times to enter the park before sunrise and overfilled parking lots. The park has since implemented a sunrise reservation system to improve public safety and provide a higher quality visitor experience.

Visitors must have a sunrise reservation in order to enter the park between the hours of 3 a.m. and 7 a.m.. Sunrise reservations may be obtained at www.recreation.gov.

Uncrowded conditions at Haleakalā sunrise on Feb. 1 2017. PC: Asa Ellison.

Sunrise crowds at the crater overlook by Haleakala Visitor Center (9,741 feet of elevation).

Uncrowded conditions at sunrise on Feb. 1 2017. PC: Haleakalā National Park.

Sunrise on Feb. 1 2017. PC: Haleakalā National Park.

Centennial sunrise. Photo courtesy Haleakalā National Park.

Sunrise at Haleakalā. Photo by Wendy Osher.