Things are returning to normal on Maui after a strong winter storm brought accumulating snow and ice to higher elevations of the island. The Haleakala National Park announced that after a two-day closure due to snow covered roads and power outages, they have re-opened.
While snow in the winter is common on Hawaii’s Big Island and it’s summits that rise over 13,000 feet, snow is less common on the shorter Maui Island which stands at 10,023 on the summit of Haleakala.
For now, the National Park Headquarters Visitor Center (7,000 feet), Haleakalā Visitor Center (9,740 feet), and Haleakalā Summit (10,023 feet) are all open to the public. The National Park Service advises visitors, though, to expect reduced services due to continuing power outages in the Summit District.
While temperatures are 20-40 degrees warmer at the coast, temperatures at the Summit District commonly range between 30 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit (-1 to +18 degrees Celsius), and can reach below freezing at any time with the wind-chill factor. Hypothermia is a risk of anyone choosing to hike on park trails. The National Park warns that hikers must be properly prepared for high altitudes and cold, rainy conditions.
