[Illustration: The silversword is the pride and distinction of
Haleakala.]
Haleakala _is a great volcano, 33 miles long and 10,025 feet high.
During a long period of inactivity, stream erosion cut two deep valleys,
Keanae and Kaupo, into its sides. These joined near the summit. When
volcanic activity once again resumed, flows of aa and blankets of
cinders were spread on the valley floors. A multicolored cover,
emphasized by symmetrical cones, formed the new floor of the depression,
now loosely called Haleakala Crater._
_The well chosen name, Hale-a-ka-la, means House of the Sun. Old
Hawaiians associated Maui, a trickster demi-God, with the mountain. He
was a legendary figure throughout Polynesia long before a few of its
inhabitants discovered and settled in Hawaii, bringing their gods with
them._
_How Maui brought down or ensnared the sun has several versions. Maui's
mother, Hina, had trouble drying bark cloth, kapa, because the day was
too short, its warmth insufficient. The sun just sped too fast across
the sky. So Maui fashioned a strong net to snare it in its course. A
slight variant, possibly less used, appeals more strongly. In early
dawn, one can watch strong streamers of light from the rising sun break
through the clouds and stalk across the crater. With these spidery legs
the sun progresses through the heavens. As one by one they were placed
over Koolau Gap, Maui seized them and bound them with strong thongs to
an ohia tree. Thus captured, the sun pleaded for release. This Maui
granted on promise of a slower gait, for which Hina as well as the rest
of us can be eternally thankful._
_Table of Contents_
Page
Preface iii
Haleakala iv
PART I
Your Vacation in the Haleakala Section 1
Access 1
What to do and see 1
Hosmer Grove Campground and Picnic Area 2
The Trail System 4
Park Cabins 4
Suggested Hiking Trips 5
An Outfit for Hiking in Haleakala Crater 7
Horseback Crater Trips 7
Numbered Points of Interest on the Map 8
PART II
Haleakala Hawaiiana 16
Maui Legends 16
The Legend of Kihapiilani 18
The Tradition of Kaoao 21
Archeological Study 22
The Historical Background 24
Important Dates 36
Geology 42
The Origin of the Scenic Features 42
The Geological Interpretation 46
Haleakala Plants 49
Plant Notes 55
The Ferns 55
The Native Grasses 56
The Sedges--Fig. 1 56, 71
Rush 57
Painiu 57
Mauu-laili 57
Orchids--Fig. 2 58, 71
Alaalawainui 58
Sandalwood--Fig. 3 58, 72
Sheep Sorrel 58
Hawaiian Buttercup 59
Hoawa 59
Hawaiian Hawthorn 59
Hawaiian Raspberry--Fig. 5 59, 73
Mamane--Fig. 4 60, 72
Nohoanu--Fig. 6, 7 60, 74
Hawaiian Holly 60
Olomea 61
Aalii--Fig. 8 61, 75
Begonia 53, 61
Tarweed 61
Ohio Lehua--Fig. 9 62, 75
Evening Primrose 62
Apeape 54, 62
Olapa--Fig. 10 62, 76
Ohelo--Fig. 11 62, 76
Pukiawe--Fig. 12 63, 77
Kolea--Fig. 13 63, 77
Selfheal 63
Puaainaka 63
Groundcherry 63
Plantain 64
Kukaenene--Fig. 15 64, 79
Pilo--Fig. 14 64, 78
Manono 64
Catchfly--Fig. 16 65, 79
Oha 65
Naupaka 65
Maui Wormwood--Fig. 17 65, 80
Kookoolau 66
Kupaoa--Fig. 18, 19 66, 81
Pamakani 67
Hairy Cat's Ear 67
Wood Groundsel 68
Tetramalopium--Fig. 20 53, 68, 82
Silversword Cover, iv, 47, 68
Summary Lists 70
The Birds and Mammals 83
The Insect Life 85
Hawaiian Words and Place Names 89
Hui O Ahinahina 93
Additional Help 93
Mileages Inside back cover
Map Center Pages