Maui - Hawaii with Kids - page 299

The two tent-camping areas inside the volcano are Holua, just off Halemauu
at 6,920 feet; and Paliku, just before the Kaupo Gap at the eastern end of the
valley, at 6,380 feet. Facilities at both campgrounds are limited to pit toilets and
nonpotable catchment water. Water at Holua is limited, especially in summer.
No open fires are allowed inside the volcano, so bring a stove if you plan to cook.
Tent camping is restricted to the signed area. No camping is allowed in the horse
pasture. The inviting grassy lawn in front of the cabin is off-limits. Camping is
free, but limited to 2 consecutive nights, and no more than 3 nights a month
inside the volcano. Permits are issued at Park Headquarters, daily from 8am to
3pm, on a first-come, first-served basis on the day you plan to camp. Occupancy
is limited to 25 people in each campground.
Polipoli State Park
One of the most unusual hiking experiences in the state can be found at Polipoli
State Park, part of the 21,000-acre Kula and Kahikinui Forest Reserve on the
slope of Haleakala. At Polipoli, it's hard to believe that you're in Hawaii: First of
all, it's cold, even in summer, because the elevation is 5,300 to 6,200 feet. Sec-
ond, this former forest of native koa, ohia, and mamane trees, which was over-
logged in the 1800s, was reforested in the 1930s with introduced species: pine,
Monterey cypress, ash, sugi, red adler, redwood, and several varieties of eucalyp-
tus. The result is a cool area, with sunlight muted by towering trees.
For families with children ages 7 and over, the Polipoli Loop is an easy 5-
mile hike that takes about 3 hours; dress warmly for it. Take the Haleakala High-
way (Hwy. 37) to Keokea and turn right onto Highway 337; after less than a
half-mile, turn on Waipoli Road, which climbs swiftly. After 10 miles, Waipoli
Road ends at the Polipoli State Park campgrounds. The well-marked trail head
is next to the parking lot, near a stand of Monterey cypresses; the tree-lined trail
offers the best view of the island.
Polipoli Loop is really a network of three trails: Haleakala Ridge, Plum Trail,
and Redwood Trail. After a half-mile of meandering through groves of eucalyp-
tus, blackwood, swamp mahogany, and hybrid cypress, you'll join the Haleakala
Ridge Trail which, about a mile into the trail, joins with the Plum Trail (named
for the plums that ripen June-July). This trail passes through massive redwoods
and by an old Conservation Corps bunkhouse and a run-down cabin before
joining up with the Redwood Trail, which climbs through Mexican pine, tropi-
cal ash, Port Orford cedar, and—of course—redwood.
Camping is allowed with a $5-per-night permit from the State Parks Divi-
sion, 54 S. High St., Room 101, Wailuku, HI 96793 ( & 808/984-8109 ).
Kanaha Beach Park Camping
One of the few Maui County camping facilities on the island is Kanaha Beach
Park, located next to the Kahului Airport. The county has two separate areas for
camping: 7 tent sites on the beach and an additional 10 tent sites inland. This
well-used park is a favorite of windsurfers, who take advantage of the strong
winds that roar across this end of the island. Facilities include a paved parking
lot, portable toilets, outdoor showers, barbecue grills, and picnic tables. Camp-
ing is limited to no more than 3 consecutive days; the permit fee is $3 per adult
and 50¢ per child, per night, and can be obtained from the Maui County Parks
and Recreation Department, 1580-C Kaahumanu Ave., Wailuku, HI 96793
( & 808/243-7389; www.mauimapp.com/information/campingcounty.htm).
The 17 sites book up quickly; reserve your dates far in advance. (The county will
accept reservations a year in advance.)