Montreal’s Simon Dery and Pamela Grenier take in the view from Haleakala National Park’s Kalahaku Overlook on Wednesday afternoon. The park has plans to expand the viewing area at the crater and the sunrise and sunset lookout and has an environmental assessment out for public comment. -- The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
Haleakala National Park’s preferred option for improving safety for visitors and protecting natural and historical sites at Kalahaku Overlook involves building two new sites to view Haleakala Crater and the sunrise.
The Kalahaku Overlook Area Management draft environmental assessment, released late last month, also would create a handicapped accessible viewing platform overlooking Silversword Trail, downhill of the parking lot.
The improvements at the overlook at the 9,324-foot elevation are driven by overcrowding and the lack of clearly defined trails to the single existing lookout area, the report said. The goals of the project include improving safety and enjoyment for visitors and reducing impact on native plants and animals.
Kalahaku Overlook is one of four sites in the park with unobstructed views of the crater and the sunrise and sunset, the report said. Several hundred visitors access the site daily, and it gets overcrowded during peak viewing times. Vehicles often park on the shoulder of the access road.
“Visitors routinely wander off-trail around the crater edge and near steep cliffs and into threatened and endangered species habitat to experience better views,” the report said.
This graphic shows the improvements proposed in the preferred option for Kalahaku Overlook at Haleakala National Park. The additions include two new viewing sites and a viewing platform for Silversword Trail. The proposal was part of the park’s Kalahaku Overlook Area Management Environmental Assessment. -- Haleakala National Park graphic
Among the endangered animals in the overlook area are the ‘ua’u, or Hawaiian petrel, whose nesting burrows can be found in the steep slopes, and the ‘ope’ape’a, or Hawaiian hoary bat. The nene goose and i’iwi, or scarlet honeycreeper, may be present and the ‘ake ‘ake, or band-rumped storm petrel, flies through the area, the report said.
There is a need to better identify areas for visitor use and “increasing the size or number of designated viewing areas,” the report said. This would help relieve overcrowding at the existing viewing structure and improve visitor enjoyment, it said.
The report notes that while the park has a “Stay on Trail” policy, visitors at Kalahaku may not be aware that they are breaking the rules because trails are not clearly identifiable and marked with signs. Visitors also need to be better educated about the natural and cultural resources at the overlook and the impact of stepping outside of visitor designated areas.
The report also said that Silversword Trail has shown wear, with a rock wall and asphalt lining of the trail in disrepair.
The overlook currently has a parking lot, a vault toilet, stairs, trails, rock walls and a partially enclosed viewing structure that overlooks the crater, the report said. The 15-by-12-foot structure, built in 1966, can hold about 20 people.
The report considers three options. The preferred option involves building two new open air viewing areas of 400 to 500 square feet along the crater rim, bordered by a low rock and mortar wall. Two new spur trails would be created with pathway lighting that are seabird and night-sky friendly.
For Silversword Trail viewing, a handicapped accessible uncovered platform of 70 to 100 feet with a low railing would be build on the north side of the parking lot. The trail also would be repaired.
Additional signs and crosswalks would be built.
Another less ambitious option would expand the current overlook structure, which could include a seating area. Within or adjacent to the structure would be an exhibit explaining the history of the overlook and the threatened and endangered species in the area. Additional signs and crosswalks would be installed as well.
The draft environmental assessment also considered taking no action.
Public comment on the report will be accepted until June 27. Comments may be submitted through the Planning, Environment and Public Comment website at parkplanning.nps.gov/overlook, by email to hale_superintendent@nps.gov with the subject line “Kalahaku EA” or by mail to Attention: Kalahaku Environmental Assessment, Haleakala NP, P.O. Box 369, Makawao 96768.
Comments will not be accepted by fax; bulk comments submitted on behalf of others also will not be accepted. Personal identifying information in written comments may be made public.
A copy of the draft environmental assessment is available at the Planning, Environment and Public Comment website and at the Makawao and Hana public libraries.
* Lee Imada can be reached at leeimada@mauinews.com.
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