Haleakalā

I am a very tall mountain on a sunny island. I can feel the fluffy clouds drift by and tickle my sides. In the morning, the sun peeks over the ocean and paints the sky with bright pinks and oranges just for me. It feels like a warm hug to start the day. I am Haleakalā, a giant, sleepy volcano in Hawaiʻi. My special name means 'House of the Sun'.

A very, very long time ago, I was born from hot, glowing lava that bubbled up from the bottom of the deep blue sea. The lava cooled and piled up, higher and higher, until I became this big mountain. A long time ago, around the year 400, brave people sailed across the water in big canoes and found my island home. They told a wonderful story about a strong boy named Māui. He thought the day was too short for playing and working. So, he climbed all the way to my top, and with a special rope, he gently lassoed the sun. He asked the sun to move more slowly across the sky, and the sun agreed. Now the days are long and bright for everyone.

Now, I am a very special place for everyone to visit. On August 1st, 1916, people decided to make me a big park called Haleakalā National Park, so I could be safe forever. All over my rocky slopes, you can find special fuzzy, silver plants that look like little sunbursts. They are called ʻāhinahina, and they only grow here with me. I love it when families come to watch my beautiful sunrises. At night, I show them my blanket of sparkly stars. I am happy to share my wonders with you, and I hope you will help take care of me so I can stand tall for many, many more years.