Expedition Team: Dave Miller, Rosie Miller
Date: March 2-8, 2025
I finally made it to my 50th and final state. We received Hawaiian leis upon landing in Kona Airpark. Thank you, Jacque, for arranging this. This national park is located on the island of Maui and is home to the dormant Haleakala volcano and endangered Hawaiian geese called the Nene. The national park is divided into two districts. We hiked six rugged trails in the Summit District which climbs up to over 10,000 feet passing cinder cones and lava trails. The Summit District is home to several species that are endemic and found nowhere else in the world. The summit is sacred to Native Hawaiians. The 37 mile drive up from sea level to the summit is one of the greatest elevation gains in the shortest distance in the world.
The Kipahulu District, on the lower southeast side of the mountain, was accessible only by driving the famous road to Hana Road. The 52-mile road had 59 bridges and 620 curves. This area had dozens of waterfalls, bamboo forests, clear pools of water and lush tropical rainforests. We hiked five trails in this area and one lava tube.
