Today's drive up to the Haleakala Crater was a real treat! It is the centre piece of the Haleakala National Park. The observation area above the visitor's centre is a shade over 10,000 feet over sea level. The volcano's summit would have been much higher before many years of rainfall and erosion have reduced it to its present height.
The ecosystem at the top is like nothing anywhere else on the island. It is barren, brown and cold and the vegetation is sparse and specialized. The crater itself is huge. Viewing conditions today were apparently ideal, with bright sunshine above the clouds.
That part of Maui to the east of Haleakala receives a lot of rain (1500mm) by virtue of the trade winds which blow from the east, whereas the more populated areas of Maui received only about 500 mm per year.
I could feel the effects of the thinner air at this altitude, and so could other folk. There are signs warning against over-exertion. The drive up to the summit is quite amazing - it makes the Toowoomba Range like very pathetic in terms of scale. Near the base one drives through fields of sugar cane, and then through beef country and then into cloud and out above the cloud the vegetation become more sparse and even alpine in appearance.
On the way home I drove via Haiku and stopped at Hoopika Beach Park to look at the big waves. There were hundreds of people there surfing, watching, drinking, picnicking and smoking. The car park as continually full.
It was spectacular to watch, and a lot of people were obviously having a great day out. And yes, I did spot some more whales.....