Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Haleakala National Park are two of
more than 180 different areas administered by the National Park Service
for your enjoyment. The two areas, Haleakala on Maui and Kilauea-Mauna
Loa on Hawaii, were set aside, as one park, by Congress in 1916 mainly
because of the three great volcanoes. In July 1961 Haleakala became a
separate national park. In recent years the unique flora and fauna found
in the parks have become an increasingly important part of the park
story. Thus you will find several interesting exhibits at the Kilauea
headquarters museum dealing with the ecology of the park with emphasis
on the birdlife.
One of the guiding principles for any national park is that all native
species of plants and animals are rigidly protected. In places like
Hawaii, where so much of the land has been altered through clearing and
planting, the park becomes a particularly important sanctuary for birds
and other animals. Please help do your share in protecting this area by
observing park regulations.