Automated Fee Station Used During Temporary Staff Shortage at Haleakalā

Rangers at Haleakalā National Park report a temporary shortage of fee collection rangers that traditionally staff fee booths at the entrance of the park.

Haleakalā automated fee station. PC: Christine Ortiz

Chuck Lassiter, Park Ranger and Acting Chief of Interpretation at Haleakalā National Park tells Maui Now that the park expects to have more staff in the next few weeks. He reiterated that the situation is temporary and apologized for any inconvenience it may cause.

Visitors to Haleakalā National Park may notice that there are some days when fee booths have shortened hours, or close for brief periods when employees must take a break. At those times people who need to pay must use the credit card system.

Maui Now received reports that the wait times for entrance during these periods have increased, and some reported being unprepared for the credit card only system, and did not bring cash. Maui Now also received a complaint from an annual pass holder who was upset that they had to wait 20 minutes behind other unprepared visitors who were utilizing the automated service.

Park rangers say pass holders and Cultural Practitioners may enter at those times without utilizing the credit card machine. At those times, people seeking to purchase a senior or any other park pass will need to return when the booth is staffed.

“Due to this temporary situation, we have occasionally experience some lines of traffic entering the park,” said Lassiter, noting that the increased traffic occurred prior to any concerns about recent activity surrounding the Daniel K Inouye Solar Telescope.

There are also reports of an increase in visitors coming up to purchase senior passes since a recent price increase went into effect on June 1, 2017.