Many people enjoy nightlife on Maui inside; here is a wonderful alternative. Head up in the late afternoon or early evening to the summit at Haleakala. This is the area where the observatories are located...so darker and more stars visible, especially on clear nights. There is a bit of a risk involved since you never know about weather, alto afternoon winds can usually blow off the clouds. If you are nearby in Kahului, north shore or upcountry, and have a nice dinner around sunset, you could perhaps check local weather, OR look up - if you see no clouds and clear sailing all the way up the slopes - go for it! Haleakala summit is a must-do on Maui whether for sunrise, sunset, or star gazing. The drive up or down is a slow one; but the road is in good shape - paved, clearly marked, glow in the dark markers, guard rails on most sections; just no shoulders on some of the really twisty parts. We have driven up and down at 3am, midnight, 10am, 4pm...in clouds, fog, rain, and clear conditions. Be aware there is loose livestock in some sections, so watch for cows meandering across the road.  

Dress warm; it can be 30 degrees or colder with wind; bring water, snacks, hot beverages in thermos. Gas up; check your brakes; use low gear if your car allows; stay alert; and go slow. Actually we love the changing vistas, and the quality of the air as you descend at night. Depending on the timing, we also love to stop at Kula Lodge for a drink, great coffee, or a hot cocoa by the fireplace. It’s a wonderful topper to a summit adventure, day or night.

We went to Haleakala sunrise biking tour. Since most of us are from east of Hawaii, it is also good to do it the first day (with serious jet lag like us). We met 1:45am in front of Sheraton. We spent 20-30 minutes at the bike place to go over rules, etc. Then we head up to the mountain. It took 1-2 hours to get up there. It's very cold and windy up to the top. You will see many people getting up there around 6am. The sunrise itself is only 5-10 minutes. Then we started bike down. You cannot paddle the bike once it reaches 35 mph as we were told. So, most of the time, you just sit there. It could get scary going downhill with the speed but you kind of get used to it later on. It's very scenic. The tour will stop at couple place to take pictures. If any rider don't feel like riding, they can hop onto the van which always dire behind us. We went from 10,000+ ft down to the beach. We passed by some rainforest area in the middle. We stopped of a little bar area (like western style) for lunch. I have to say, this is an awesome experience for us. Once you get to the beach area, it's bright, hot, and sunny. The company did provide some heavy wind breaker and pants for rider.

A wonderful, pristine drive up scenic Haleakala volcano treats the visitor to some awesome scenery. This dormant volcano forms more than 75% of the island of Maui, looming over 10,000 feet above sea level. The name Haleakala means "house of the sun," and you’ll understand why as you ascend the steep mountain in your rental car or hired tour bus.

You will begin the driving thinking not much of it, winding through some small towns with some tropical vegetation. It is only when the vegetation disappears and you are climbing high above the heavens, the clouds far beneath you, that you’ll realize this is one of the most scenic places on earth. Considered one of the USA's best National Parks, the ride to the volcano's crater at its summit is sure to please.

Mile after mile visitors are provided the opportunity to pull over and take in views from above the clouds. Some views will surely knock your socks off. My favorite overview, located just past the entrance gate, features a small path that you can descend a bit of the mountain on. With the clouds totally beneath you, it seems as though you are hovering over a giant pillow, and the view is mesmerizing.

The entrance fee is $10 and the information at the visitor center is totally free and included in the price. I encourage you to stop in and chat with the knowledgeable guides, who although make the trek up the volcano every day, are far from jaded by it. They exude passion as they talk about this geological marvel. Some small souvenirs are available here. The visitor center houses some neat exhibits highlighting the history and geology of the volcano, which are far from boring – take the time to read them.

There are trails available for hikers to hike to the crater center, and many tours run from Lahaina and major Maui hotels. The most popular tour is the sunrise tour, where you join a crowd of people at 3:30am and travel up the volcano to witness a stunning sunrise. You can do this by car also, if you can handle driving that early.

There is a functioning astronomical complex at the summit of Haleakala, complete with massive telescopes and satellite dishes. Feel free to walk up the somewhat arduous climb to the summit and get a 360 degree overview of the entire volcano. The views are excellent from this high up. Luckily, there is an enclosed shelter for those who can’t handle the strong winds.

It can get very cold and windy up here, so dress in layers. The temperatures hover between 5 and 16 degrees Celsius (40 and 60 Fahrenheit), so be prepared to be chilled a bit. It can be a welcome respite on those very hot Maui summer days.

Parking is included free of charge in the park, and water is available for purchase at the visitor center. There are no restaurants.

Visit Haleakala National Park online at: www.nps.gov/hale

Hiking the trails of Haleakala will be some of the most memorable experiences you can have on earth. You will think that you are in another world. The hikes can range from a few hours, to a full day. There are Summit Area Trails and Kipahulu Area Trails, each are very distinctive in the views and the flora, fauna, and landscape.

We got up at about 2am to prepare for our drive up the mountain. We were told it would take longer than it did, but to be there by 5am.

The drive was very dark, and it rained at times as we passed though the rain forest belt. It was a bit scary at times, as you could not see where the drop off was, but you knew it was there. We had no problems, though, and just drove slowly. We arrived around 4am.

Take a blanket from your hotel and wear your warmest clothes. At an elevation of 10,023 feet, it is very, very cold. If you want to take pictures, you need to get your spot early, as it gets very crowded. There is a room you can go inside in order to view the scenery protected from the wind. However, I felt the picture would be better from outside.

After a very long wait, the sun finally started to peek over the horizon. It was beautiful and indescribable.

If you have a National Parks Pass, it applies to this park; otherwise, there is an entry fee. The gates are open but unattended in the early hours, and you pay in a box to the side. The gates are attended as you leave, so you could also pay then.

The drive down is slow due to all the bikers. Biking down the mountain is a popular sport. I would recommend someone do this once, because I would probably not do this a second time.