1. The Summit at Sunrise & Sunset
Watching the sunrise or sunset at the Summit is arguably the most popular thing to do at Haleakalā National Park. This space is famous for its crystal clear air with little environmental pollution, a deficit of light pollution, and perfect viewing for a spectacular natural showcase.
At 10,023 feet (3,055 meters) you will see planes soaring through the clouds that look like tiny ants, the big island of Hawaii and La Perouse Bay off in the distance, and the sparkling town of Pukalani below.
This was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life and I can’t recommend it enough. The silence as the sun creeps over the eastern horizon is profound and healing. The crowds cheered as the sun finally crept over the earth’s curve and colors broke out into hues of orange, pink, and indigo.
You should aim to arrive an hour or two early for great seats, and this will leave time to peruse the crater while the sun is still out. All in all, you will experience what the locals refer to as the mountain’s ‘mana,’ or ‘innate power.’
2. The Crater
Another highlight of Haleakalā National Park is the Crater, said to be “the quietest place on Earth.”
Hiking to the crater is a must-do experience and you will feel like you’re on Mars! This sunken-in area is not volcanic, but the sound ricochets in a way that absorbs sound for a meditatively subtle effect. Scientists debate the crater's creation, but many believe it is the result of lava accumulation that caused two valleys to merge near the summit.
There are many trails emerging from this area, including Sliding Sands Trail and Halemau’u Trail. Hike up the rim of the rater for the reward of incredible views! By sunset, you may not be able to see the details of the crater as clearly.
3. Stargazing
Check out the milky way up close and personally! Astrologers from all over the world come to stargaze at the Haleakalā High-Altitude Observatory (HO), found near the summit.
Unfortunately, you can’t visit the observatory that has detected 19 astroids and tracks Venus’s path, because it is no longer open to the public. BUT! You can still stargaze with your own eyes in the pristinely clear air. In the pitch blackness after sundown, the stars shine so much brighter here, and you will have no problem detecting constellations like the big dipper, Cassiopeia, Scorpius, and the Southern Cross.
This to the left picture was taken on my boss's iPhone and depicts the unforgettable colors of the milky way. There were even more stars in person and some things are simply too magical to be captured on film. In the picture I took to the right, you can see the planet of Venus shining brightly overhead a blanket of clouds.
4. Hike to the Hidden Waterfalls
On the opposite end of the park, you’ll find a plethora of lagoons, waterfalls, and rainforest-like environments that will be truly rejuvenating.
Some of the best hiking trails are The Pipiwai Trail which includes a bamboo forest and spotting a huge Banyan tree, this path will lead you to Waimoku Falls.
Hosmer Grove Trail is an easy hike, while Halemau’u Trail is probably the most difficult and well-known. Pa Ka’oao is an intermediate-level trail that is only 0.6 miles long, leading you back toward the Crater. Some of the best overlooks are Kalahaku and Leleiwi, where you can see the north shore of Maui.
These trails can be muddy and slick, so bring appropriate footwear and plenty of bug spray if trekking in this area. The insects can be ravenous! And you’ll quickly learn that bugs are bigger in Hawaii. They’re clearly thriving in paradise.
5. Discover the Sacred Pools
The Kuloa Point Trail will lead you right into the Seven Sacred Pools of Ohe’o, a series of 7 waterfalls that pour into each other, creating fairy-like pools that cascade into the ocean.
Do not hike this area in rainy weather because flash floods are common and have literally washed people out to sea. You can no longer swim in these pools due to safety reasons, but you can check their updated accessibility on the National Park website.
6. Drive the Road to Hāna
Hāna was one of the most memorable parts of our journey. Haleakalā Highway connects with the Road to Hāna, a road that wraps around the island's eastern coast. This gorgeous stretch of untouched land is how we spent our last day of the trip, hopping from waterfalls to gardens to beaches.
Be sure to bring motion sickness patches to mitigate any car sickness because this highway is windy like a snake. So even if you don’t usually get car sick, bring nausea preventative as a wise backup plan.
We started at Twin Falls, where everyone took turns jumping 20-30 feet off the waterfall’s edge, then we headed to Haipua'ena Falls, a modest but glorious spot for a quick swim.
Leave time for the Garden of Eden, a botanical arboretum that sprawls across 26-acres of preserved scenery. You can see from the pictures below that it hugs the southeastern coastline and offers plenty of flowers, colors, waterfalls, and overlooks (as well as a 100-year-old mango tree and familiar backdrops from the movie Jurassic Park!)
7. Camping
The Road to Hāna will spit you out at the Kipahulu Campground near the Pools of ‘Ohe’o. You can obtain camping or cabin permits between Kipahulu and Hosmer Grove, where you’ll find 21 campsites and 3 cabins that must be reserved in advance through Recreation.gov.
You’ll love marveling at the sunset views from Kukui Bay and following the myths of the land. But don’t take any rocks or sand with you from the island or you will be ‘cursed’ by the Hawaiian legend of Pele, the Goddess of fire and volcanos, who believes the rocks and sand are her babies, not keepsakes.
Based on Māori and Polynesian mythology, Maui was the mischievous God of trickery. He climbed to the top of Haleakalā volcano and threw a lasso around La, the Sun God, tying him to the mountain in an effort to stretch out the afternoons so humans could have more daylight to grow crops and prosper. Legend has it that Maui only agreed to free the Sun God in exchange for more hours in the day, thus making Haleakalā a ‘wao akua’ – a sacred place of the gods. 
