Kula in Maui County, Hawaii — Hawaiian Island Archipelago (Pacific Ocean)

Pa Ka‘oao

White Hill Trail

— Haleakala National Park —

Photographed by Don Morfe, November 6, 2008

1. Pa Ka'oao White Hill Trail Marker

Inscription. The trail climbs to the top of a volcanic cinder cone for views of the Haleakala Wilderness Area and the highest peaks of the Big Island. At first glance the trail environment seems nothing but barren rock. Yet these rocks are living habitat for nesting ‘ua‘u, ‘āhinahina (silversword), and a dramatic mini-world of wolf spiders, flightless moths, and yellow-faced bees. Although the summit can appear hostile to people, temporary shelters, visible on the rock slopes below the trail, testify to a long human history.

‘Ua‘u (Hawaiian petrels) spend most of their lives at sea, but return here to dig nesting burrows under rocky outcrops.

The ground-hunting wolf spider weaves no web but builds burrows under rocks.

0.4 mile round trip (643 m)-Steep, rock uneven, 140 feet elevation gain.

Bring a jacket - conditions can turn windy, wet and cold.

Stay on the trail. And leave everything in place: shifting rocks can destroy an animal’s home, sever the root of a young ‘āhinahina (silversword), or disturb a cultural site.

Keonehe‘ehe‘e (Sliding Sands trailhead is near the end of the parking lot.

Erected by National

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Park Service-United States Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment.

Location. 20° 42.828′ N, 156° 15.006′ W. Marker is in Kula, Hawaii, in Maui County. It is on Crater Road. The marker is near the Red Hill Summit Observation and Exhibition Building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kula HI 96790, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Hawaii’s Upcountry Maui. Globally, it is in North America,

Polynesia,

the Pacific Ocean,

North Pacific,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Haleakalā National Park (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ranch Wall (approx. 2½ miles away); Behold, Hawai'i (approx. 3.2 miles away); Hawaiian Goose or Nene (Nay-Nay) (approx. 3.2 miles away); Wind, Wave and Wings (approx. 3.2 miles away); Stephen Tyng Mather (approx. 3.2 miles away); Holy Ghost Catholic Church

Photographed by Don Morfe, November 6, 2008

2. Pa Ka'oao White Hill Trail Marker

(approx. 6 miles away); Tam Chow Store/USO/Club Rodeo (approx. 10.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kula.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 914 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 15, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.