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
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
this page online
Erected by National 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. Marker 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 14 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); Hawaiian Goose or Nene (Nay-Nay) (approx. 3.2 miles away); Wind, Wave and Wings-Oodemas maulense- (approx. 3.2 miles away); Holy Ghost Catholic Church (approx. 6 miles away); Haleakala National Park (approx. 11½ miles away); Palapala Hoomau Congregational Church (approx. 13.3 miles away).
Photographed By Don Morfe, November 6, 2008
2. Pa Ka'oao White Hill Trail Marker
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 613 times since then and 44 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.
