Unique Wildlife You Might Spot On The Haleakala Sunrise Volcano Tour

The Haleakala sunrise volcano tour has so many amazing things to offer its guest. The sunrise tour especially boasts spectacular views of the sun rising above the clouds at the peak of this dormant volcano. Then, there’s the Haleakala Crater and its unique landscape that will make you feel as if you’re on another world.

In the summit area as well as in the entire Haleakala National Park, there is also some incredible wildlife. The park is noted for having a number of unique endangered species. So to better prepare you for your bike tour, we’ve gathered some information from the National Park Service about the wildlife you’ll see on the way down Haleakala.

Hawaiian Goose – Nēnē

World’s rarest goose, the nēnē

You will only see the nēnē in Hawaii. As the world’s rarest goose, the wild nēnē nests on Haleakala and, as the NPS noted, may fly around neighborhoods on Maui and Moloka’i. The last survivor of several other endemic geese, the nēnē is an endangered species and is the State Bird of Hawaii.

The nēnē has strong feet, short wings, padded toes, and reduced webbing which helps them walk over the rough terrain of the Haleakala volcano. Nēnē often monogamous and at 14 weeks old, the young goslings can fly and join the rest of the flock.

Although park biologists protect “the island’s most noticeable large native animal,” they often travel through roadways and parking lots where they’re sometimes killed by cars. Thus, there are often warnings alerting motorists to watch out for the nēnē.

Of course, to protect the nēnē, the NPS urges visitors to “keep them wild” by not giving them any food or water, not getting too close to the nēnē, and keeping pets away.

Hawaiian Petrel – ‘Ua’u

The ‘ua’u are an endangered species of migratory seabirds. According to the NPS, their largest known nesting colony is at the top of Haleakala, so look out for these birds at the summit of Haleakala on your volcano tour!

NPS photo of ʻUaʻu at 9000 ft. elevation on Haleakalā

At 16 inches long, these seabirds have a three-foot wingspan and are dark grey on top and white underneath. The young ‘ua’u reportedly leave their nests for the first time in November and fly out to the ocean at night in search of food. But sometimes these seabirds can sadly become grounded.

“They fly over land at night and are believed to navigate by stars. These and other seabirds that fly at night sometimes become confused by lights. The seabirds fly around the lights, become tired and fall to the ground,” the NPS noted.

On the NPS website, there are instructions for what to do if you find a grounded seabird. These birds, the NPS said, also make a variety of calls, one sounding just like its name: oo-AH-oo. So if you hear this sound on your Haleakala sunrise volcano tour, it may be an ‘ua’u.

Haleakala Silversword

With the variety of climates and elevations on Haleakala comes a variety of unique plant life.

The beautifully unique Haleakala silversword

“Over 850 species of plants are found within the bounds of Haleakala National Park. Of these, over 400 species are native, or arrived without human intervention; over 300 species are endemic to Hawai’i, found only in the islands,” the NPS noted.

The silversword is one of the unique endemic species to Haleakala. Living among the desert cinder landscape of the Haleakala Crater and Summit area, silverswords are easily recognized by the silvery hairs on their sword-like succulent leaves and their low-growing rosette. They can live up to 90 years.

If you see a flowering silversword on your Haleakala sunrise volcano tour, this is a truly a unique experience as the silversword only flowers once and then dies soon after.

The silversword is one of the many rare and unique plants that you can see on your bike tour of Haleakala, many of which can only be seen in Hawaii.

The NPS has downloadable guides you can take along to help you identify these distinctive plants and bird species.



(First photo by Eric Chan)

Winter Safety Tips - Biking in Maui & on the Mainland

Maui biking is a year-round activity thanks to our pretty much always gorgeous weather. When biking in Maui during winter though, you may encounter a little more rain.

Winter is the wettest time in Maui although even then, it isn’t Seattle-type rain. Here it may only rain for an hour or two, maybe more some days, but then the rain leaves us with a beautiful rainbow. So winter biking in Maui is much the same as in other seasons. The temperatures for Maui in the winter generally average between 70 and 80 degrees so it’s still very nice especially if you’re coming to visit from the Northern United States.

In Upcountry Maui along the slopes of Haleakala, it can get a little colder, but still very nice weather. On the summit of Haleakala at an elevation of 10,000 feet, weather can be extreme, especially during the winter months. There has at times during winter been “light snow dustings” at the summit, but this doesn’t happen too often. We recommend bringing the warmest clothes you have with you for the Haleakala Sunrise Bike Tour, but wearing layers that can be taken off as you ride down Haleakala to warmer temperatures. The Haleakala bike ride does go through 6 different micro-climates, but for the most part, it’s an endless summer in Upcountry.

In short, winter biking safety tips for Maui include planning for a fair chance for wet weather so good rain gear is important. On our Maui volcano bike tours, we provide guests with rain/wind gear including gloves, jackets, and pants to make sure they have everything they need for a safe and fun bike ride.

When riding your bike in Maui just after it begins raining, remember that this is when roads may be the slickest so be cautious, especially around corners. Look out for wet “rainbow” patches on the street which could be a sign of an oil patch on the road. Avoid puddles which could also be potholes. Biking experts say that when cornering in the rain, try to shift your weight on the outside pedal and go slow and carefully.

For the mainland, biking in winter can include much more than rain. But even biking in winter on the mainland can be very enjoyable. Some cyclists even commute to work year-round. REI noted these tips for biking through the winter:

• Don’t overdress. “The most important aspect of cold-weather riding is your clothing. It’s also the area where most first-timers make mistakes . . . Wear just enough clothes to be slightly cold when you start pedaling. The first few minutes may be chilly, but your body produces a vast amount of heat when riding a bike so you’ll warm up quickly.” Avoid wearing cotton as your base layer; instead try a synthetic wicking fiber.
• Bring a waterproof backpack.
• Run tires at a lower pressure than during summer to allow for better traction.
• Use bright lights for both the front and back of the bike.
• Install fenders on both wheels.

Don’t forget to stay hydrated and eat enough food. “While the cooler temps may not make you feel like you’re dehydrating, the reality is that biking is an aerobic activity and the outside temperature has little effect on the amount of water your body loses . . . In winter, you can reach dehydration long before you start to feel thirsty.”

For more helpful tips on biking during the cold winter months on the mainland, visit http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/winter-bicycling.html.

Winter is a great time to visit Maui because of the great weather here as well as the opportunity to see the humpback whales that visit during the winter. If you come to Maui in winter or summer, be sure to take a Maui bike ride through Upcountry on our self-paced Haleakala volcano tours. It’s an unforgettable experience – from the mountain to the sea!

The Health Advantages of Biking in Maui

Biking in Maui, especially biking downhill from the Haleakala volcano, is a great activity for visitors and locals alike. Watching the sunrise above the clouds at the summit of Haleakala is one of the most incredible experiences you can have on your Maui vacation. After seeing this memorable sunrise, guests can bike down Haleakala through Maui’s extraordinary Upcountry.

But besides being an unforgettable Maui adventure, this bike tour offers guests and locals the numerous health benefits that come with regular biking. Here are just a few:

Biking in Maui is an easy way to exercise. 

We know that to be healthy and physically fit you have to be active, but some shy away from certain sports because they require a higher level of skill or physical stamina. Biking, however, can be a fairly easy sport. Most know how to ride a bike. And because our Maui bike tour takes cyclists through Haleakala downhill, it doesn’t require a lot of skill or stamina to ride. Even children as young as 10 who are experienced in riding a bike with hand brakes can take our Maui bike tour.

And because our bike tours are self-paced, you have the option of biking in your own comfort zone. You won’t have to try to keep up with a group like many of the guided Maui biking tours of Haleakala.

Biking is a low-impact sport that builds strength and muscle. 

Whereas other forms of exercise can put extra strain on your joints, biking is a low-impact sport that causes less injuries and can be done by people of all ages. We’ve had a 90-year-old bike rider join us, so our bike tours are not just for the young, but also those young at heart. Biking has been shown to improve joint mobility, flexibility, and increase muscle strength, coordination, and stamina.

Biking in Maui can help to reduce stress. 

Health experts agree that regular bike riding can help to reduce a person’s stress levels and can help to reduce anxiety and depression. Add to that the benefit of exercising on the beautiful island of Maui, and you can really see your stress diminishing. Biking through Maui’s gorgeous Upcountry, in the refreshing mountain air, and being able to stop along the way and really be a part of the scenery and the natural environment can really help to uplift your spirits.

Cycling has been shown to improve cardiovascular fitness. 

Biking can help to improve your heart health and lower your risks of certain kinds of disease. “Regular cycling stimulates and improves your heart, lungs and circulation, reducing your risk of cardiovascular diseases,” the Better Health Channel (BHC) of Australia noted. “Cycling strengthens your heart muscles, lowers resting pulse and reduces blood fat levels.”

Biking in Maui is a great total body workout.

The BHC also noted that you all of your major muscle groups when you bike. The BHC also reported that cycling lifts your heart rate to a beneficial level and is a good way to control or reduce your weight. Women’s Health magazine noted that in addition to working out your quads, glutes, and calves, working the handlebar can also sculpt your upper body for all-over muscle toning.

Plus, biking simply is a fun exercise, and doing something fun generally encourages us to do it more often. Feeling the gentle breeze against your face as you ride down the mountain on Haleakala is definitely a fun and exciting experience. So if you’re not a regular cyclist now, biking in Maui with us down Haleakala may jumpstart the love of biking we’ve found in Upcountry Maui.

Of course, these tips are just for informational purposes. Always check with your doctor before starting an exercise routine and make sure you’re healthy enough and comfortable with biking before biking down Haleakala. Check our FAQ page for more information on biking restrictions and things to consider.