Dec 8: Haleakala Ascent

We left the condo about 6am, drove to Kahalui (about 50 min), gassed up at Costco (about $1/gal cheaper than elsewhere, still $3/gal), went to the Maui Swap Meet at the U of H campus, saw a few interesting items including the largest avocados I'd ever seen.

We then drove up the long and serpentine road to Haleakala, the dormant volcano that dominates the east half of the island.  The first half of the ascent was sunny

and then the second half was very windy and drizzly, we were in clouds most of the way.

At the top of the volcano it looked like a moonscape from the visitor center

 

We saw the Silversword  plant, found only on this mountain in the entire world

We drove another half mile to the summit, where there was an observatory (off limits to us) that had supposedly the 4th best location on the planet for astronomical observations due to the cool dry air and lack of ambient light.  The large telescope on the left belongs to the University of Hawaii and is used to observe solar flares and track weather satellites.  The large one on the right is owned by the US Air Force and is used to track all man-made items in space (over 8,000)

It was cold!  Temp in low 40s, wind about 30 mph!

Between breaks in the clouds, we were even able to see the big island of Hawaii to the southeast

We carefully drove back down the mountain to Kahalui, visited the Walmart for some groceries (and saw some beautiful flowers)

We returned to the condo and relaxed, and got takeout from the China Boat across the street.

Happy 93rd Birthday Doris!  Tomorrow, sunset dinner cruise...