#Haleakala

Four Hawaiʻi telescopes have helped confirm the two most distant quasars ever found, part of a growing partnership between the state’s premier observatories and a European Space Agency mission mapping the early universe.

Hawaiian Electric contractors are replacing a pole along Haleakalā Highway/Crater Road, between Kekaulike Avenue and Palena Place, that will impact traffic on Thursday, Sept. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. No service interruption is expected.

The Summit District of Haleakalā National Park has reopened following recovery efforts related to Tropical Storm Lala. With this reopening, both districts of Haleakalā National Park are now open to visitors.

Both districts of Haleakalā National Park remain closed while the park begins storm damage assessments and recovery. The park will reopen when it is safe to do so.

Two federally protected endangered bird species were hit and killed by vehicles within Haleakalā National Park over the weekend, prompting a reminder from park officials urging visitors to the area to slow down for wildlife. Both incidents occurred on Sunday, July 12, 2026—one involving a nēnē (Hawaiian Goose), and another involving an ‘ua‘u (Hawaiian Petrel).

A pair of hikers from Austin, Texas, was airlifted from Haleakalā Crater on Monday, June 22, 2026, after experiencing altitude-related difficulties. The man and woman were unable to hike back to the crater rim and contacted National Park Service Rangers for assistance.

The Haleakalā Visitor Center building at Haleakalā National Park, which also houses the Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association store, welcomes visitors once again following a temporary closure by the park service for planned improvements and interior renovations.

On Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 8 am, Haleakalā National Park will reopen the Haleakalā Visitor Center (at 10,000 foot elevation) with temporary exhibits and store merchandise. The closure was necessary to allow for repairs and improvements to the building.

The Friends of Haleakalā National Park will celebrate 30 years of preservation work at its 2026 annual public meeting from 3 to 5 p.m. May 2 at the Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Annually, FHNP awards three scholarships of $2,000 each to graduating high school seniors or continuing undergraduate students from Maui County pursuing studies related to the biology, ecology and/or conservation of ecosystems such as that of Haleakalā National Park.

Due to road repairs following the weekend kona storm, both districts of Haleakalā National Park will remain closed until further notice. For updates on park conditions visit www.nps.gov/hale

As the kona low exits to the north of the Hawaiian Islands, remnant bands of moderate showers continue over Leeward Big Island and Maui while conditions improve elsewhere, according to an update from the National Weather Service. Toward the latter end of the week, another threat of heavy rain is anticipated as low pressure develops west of the islands.

Multiple road closures are in place as a severe storm makes its way over the islands. Ongoing updates are provided here.

Beginning after sunset Thursday, March 12, 2026, Haleakalā National Park will be closed due to dangerous weather conditions. The closure will go into effect for both the Summit District and Kīpahulu District.

The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Watch for Haleakalā on Maui and Big Island summits from Thursday evening until Sunday afternoon. The forecast calls for wind from the southwest blowing at 45-65 mph with gusts up to 85 mph possible.

Haleakalā National Park’s temporary closure of the Headquarters Visitor Center located 1 mile past the entrance station has been extended through to the week of March 8, 2026. The Haleakalā Visitor Center closure has been extended through the week of April 12, 2026.

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researchers identified 10 new species and seven new groups of Hawaiian leaf-roller moths. While new species are frequently discovered, the description of a new genus of insects is a much rarer event; seven groups at once is almost unheard of.

The Kula Community Association invites community members to attend its General Meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, featuring timely updates on invasive species, water quality, watershed restoration, and East Maui water management. The meeting is open to the public and will be held in the evening, beginning with food and informal conversation.

Beginning at noon on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, Haleakalā National Park will temporarily close the Headquarters Visitor Center located 1 mile past the entrance station. Closure of the Haleakalā Visitor Center (summit location) will begin on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. The closures are part of a planned interior remodel. Access to both the headquarters and summit restrooms remain open. The Kīpahulu district visitor center remains open.

The Haleakalā Visitor Center parking lot will have limited parking for an extended period due to a water infrastructure project. This project started this week and will last through the summer. Traffic delays are also expected during this project.