Originally Posted by
seekingsun
We also went up to Haleakala, which was ok. I don't know if it had made a difference, but we chose to not get up at 2am to see the sunrise, instead we were up there at 10am, right in time to have a perfect view, before clouds came in. Stopped on the way back at the Kona lodge and had some nice lunch with great view over the island.
Originally Posted by
dhuey
I think you made the right call. Not too many things are worth lots of sleep deprivation to me. Halekala at sunrise just doesn't make the cut.
I'm glad you enjoyed your trip.
Originally Posted by
MarcWPhoto
That all sounds great, but due to my deep devotion to Haleakala I must add that I don't like getting up at 4AM either, so we went up for sun
set, which is almost as spectacular, plus you get to drive up, which is the part that gives me the heebies, in the daylight.
The only bad part about coming down in the dark is the risk of encountering Hawai'i's only human-threatening life form, the Wild Maui Mountain Cow. (Who knew?)
I guess I am in the minority here, but I thought the Haleakala Sunrise was well worth it. The drive up (in a convertible UG
) was cool; the leather heated seats were actually used
- watching the stars initially when leaving Kihei, and the pastels mix as we increased our altitude. One thing that helped was the time zone change, as our bodies were used to waking up earlier, so it was good to do our first day. The colors were amazing, and to witness the sun rise over the ocean of clouds at approx 5K feet, (while standing at 10K) - amazing! I have visited Haleakala before, and it is ok... but the sunrise was perfect! Plus, on the return, stop in at
T. Komoda Store and Bakery in Makawao for Cream Puffs is a must!!!
Sunset sounds nice too, will need to try that next time!