The Hawaiian silversword is an indigenous plant consisting of a rosette of narrow, pointed (swordlike) leaves densely covered by silver hairs that form a sphere. At some point during its life it sends up a spectacular flowering stalk that can reach six feet in height. Each stalk can produce hundreds of maroon sunflower like flower heads. The Haleakala silversword is found in the crater and outer slopes of Haleakala Volcano above the 6,890-ft elevation. The silversword flowers only once, at the end of its lifetime (15-50 years), produces seeds and then dies. Because the delicate, shallow root structure can be crushed by walking in the rocks around the plant it is best to view them a few feet away.

The Hawaiian silversword is an indigenous plant consisting of a rosette of narrow, pointed (swordlike) leaves densely covered by silver hairs that form a sphere. At some point during its life it sends up a spectacular flowering stalk that can reach six feet in height. Each stalk can produce hundreds of maroon sunflower like flower heads. The Haleakala silversword is found in the crater and outer slopes of Haleakala Volcano above the 6,890-ft elevation. The silversword flowers only once, at the end of its lifetime (15-50 years), produces seeds and then dies. Because the delicate, shallow root structure can be crushed by walking in the rocks around the plant it is best to view them a few feet away.

The Hawaiian silversword is an indigenous plant consisting of a rosette of narrow, pointed (swordlike) leaves densely covered by silver hairs that form a sphere. At some point during its life it sends up a spectacular flowering stalk that can reach six feet in height. Each stalk can produce hundreds of maroon sunflower like flower heads. The Haleakala silversword is found in the crater and outer slopes of Haleakala Volcano above the 6,890-ft elevation. The silversword flowers only once, at the end of its lifetime (15-50 years), produces seeds and then dies. Because the delicate, shallow root structure can be crushed by walking in the rocks around the plant it is best to view them a few feet away.

The Hawaiian silversword is an indigenous plant consisting of a rosette of narrow, pointed (swordlike) leaves densely covered by silver hairs that form a sphere. At some point during its life it sends up a spectacular flowering stalk that can reach six feet in height. Each stalk can produce hundreds of maroon sunflower like flower heads. The Haleakala silversword is found in the crater and outer slopes of Haleakala Volcano above the 6,890-ft elevation. The silversword flowers only once, at the end of its lifetime (15-50 years), produces seeds and then dies. Because the delicate, shallow root structure can be crushed by walking in the rocks around the plant it is best to view them a few feet away.

The Hawaiian silversword is an indigenous plant consisting of a rosette of narrow, pointed (swordlike) leaves densely covered by silver hairs that form a sphere. At some point during its life it sends up a spectacular flowering stalk that can reach six feet in height. Each stalk can produce hundreds of maroon sunflower like flower heads. The Haleakala silversword is found in the crater and outer slopes of Haleakala Volcano above the 6,890-ft elevation. The silversword flowers only once, at the end of its lifetime (15-50 years), produces seeds and then dies. Because the delicate, shallow root structure can be crushed by walking in the rocks around the plant it is best to view them a few feet away.

The Hawaiian silversword is an indigenous plant consisting of a rosette of narrow, pointed (swordlike) leaves densely covered by silver hairs that form a sphere. At some point during its life it sends up a spectacular flowering stalk that can reach six feet in height. Each stalk can produce hundreds of maroon sunflower like flower heads. The Haleakala silversword is found in the crater and outer slopes of Haleakala Volcano above the 6,890-ft elevation. The silversword flowers only once, at the end of its lifetime (15-50 years), produces seeds and then dies. Because the delicate, shallow root structure can be crushed by walking in the rocks around the plant it is best to view them a few feet away.

The Hawaiian silversword is an indigenous plant consisting of a rosette of narrow, pointed (swordlike) leaves densely covered by silver hairs that form a sphere. At some point during its life it sends up a spectacular flowering stalk that can reach six feet in height. Each stalk can produce hundreds of maroon sunflower like flower heads. The Haleakala silversword is found in the crater and outer slopes of Haleakala Volcano above the 6,890-ft elevation. The silversword flowers only once, at the end of its lifetime (15-50 years), produces seeds and then dies. Because the delicate, shallow root structure can be crushed by walking in the rocks around the plant it is best to view them a few feet away.

The Hawaiian silversword is an indigenous plant consisting of a rosette of narrow, pointed (swordlike) leaves densely covered by silver hairs that form a sphere. At some point during its life it sends up a spectacular flowering stalk that can reach six feet in height. Each stalk can produce hundreds of maroon sunflower like flower heads. The Haleakala silversword is found in the crater and outer slopes of Haleakala Volcano above the 6,890-ft elevation. The silversword flowers only once, at the end of its lifetime (15-50 years), produces seeds and then dies. Because the delicate, shallow root structure can be crushed by walking in the rocks around the plant it is best to view them a few feet away.

The Hawaiian silversword is an indigenous plant consisting of a rosette of narrow, pointed (swordlike) leaves densely covered by silver hairs that form a sphere. At some point during its life it sends up a spectacular flowering stalk that can reach six feet in height. Each stalk can produce hundreds of maroon sunflower like flower heads. The Haleakala silversword is found in the crater and outer slopes of Haleakala Volcano above the 6,890-ft elevation. The silversword flowers only once, at the end of its lifetime (15-50 years), produces seeds and then dies. Because the delicate, shallow root structure can be crushed by walking in the rocks around the plant it is best to view them a few feet away.

The Hawaiian silversword is an indigenous plant consisting of a rosette of narrow, pointed (swordlike) leaves densely covered by silver hairs that form a sphere. At some point during its life it sends up a spectacular flowering stalk that can reach six feet in height. Each stalk can produce hundreds of maroon sunflower like flower heads. The Haleakala silversword is found in the crater and outer slopes of Haleakala Volcano above the 6,890-ft elevation. The silversword flowers only once, at the end of its lifetime (15-50 years), produces seeds and then dies. Because the delicate, shallow root structure can be crushed by walking in the rocks around the plant it is best to view them a few feet away.

Early Hawaiians applied the name Haleakalā ("house of the sun") to the general mountain. Haleakalā is also the name of a peak on the south western edge of Kaupō Gap. In Hawaiian folklore, the depression at the summit of Haleakalā was home to the grandmother of the demigod Māui. According to the legend, Māui's grandmother helped him capture the sun and force it to slow its journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day. The tallest peak of Haleakalā, at 10,023 feetis Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill).From the summit one looks down into a massive depression some(7 mi) across,(2 mi) wide, and nearly(2,600 ft) deep. The surrounding walls are steep and the interior mostly barren-looking with a scattering of volcanic cones. The last eruption was in the 17th century.

Early Hawaiians applied the name Haleakalā ("house of the sun") to the general mountain. Haleakalā is also the name of a peak on the south western edge of Kaupō Gap. In Hawaiian folklore, the depression at the summit of Haleakalā was home to the grandmother of the demigod Māui. According to the legend, Māui's grandmother helped him capture the sun and force it to slow its journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day. The tallest peak of Haleakalā, at 10,023 feetis Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill).From the summit one looks down into a massive depression some(7 mi) across,(2 mi) wide, and nearly(2,600 ft) deep. The surrounding walls are steep and the interior mostly barren-looking with a scattering of volcanic cones. The last eruption was in the 17th century.

Early Hawaiians applied the name Haleakalā ("house of the sun") to the general mountain. Haleakalā is also the name of a peak on the south western edge of Kaupō Gap. In Hawaiian folklore, the depression at the summit of Haleakalā was home to the grandmother of the demigod Māui. According to the legend, Māui's grandmother helped him capture the sun and force it to slow its journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day. The tallest peak of Haleakalā, at 10,023 feetis Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill).From the summit one looks down into a massive depression some(7 mi) across,(2 mi) wide, and nearly(2,600 ft) deep. The surrounding walls are steep and the interior mostly barren-looking with a scattering of volcanic cones. The last eruption was in the 17th century.

Early Hawaiians applied the name Haleakalā ("house of the sun") to the general mountain. Haleakalā is also the name of a peak on the south western edge of Kaupō Gap. In Hawaiian folklore, the depression at the summit of Haleakalā was home to the grandmother of the demigod Māui. According to the legend, Māui's grandmother helped him capture the sun and force it to slow its journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day. The tallest peak of Haleakalā, at 10,023 feetis Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill).From the summit one looks down into a massive depression some(7 mi) across,(2 mi) wide, and nearly(2,600 ft) deep. The surrounding walls are steep and the interior mostly barren-looking with a scattering of volcanic cones. The last eruption was in the 17th century.

That is the Big Island of Hawaii seen from 10000 feet on top of Haleakala. 4 volcano's can be seen and the one to the far left is Mauna Kea. It is the second tallest mountain in the world. It is measured from the sea floor and stands 13,803 feet above sea level. Measured from its oceanic base, its height is 33,500 ft.

Early Hawaiians applied the name Haleakalā ("house of the sun") to the general mountain. Haleakalā is also the name of a peak on the south western edge of Kaupō Gap. In Hawaiian folklore, the depression at the summit of Haleakalā was home to the grandmother of the demigod Māui. According to the legend, Māui's grandmother helped him capture the sun and force it to slow its journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day. The tallest peak of Haleakalā, at 10,023 feetis Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill).From the summit one looks down into a massive depression some(7 mi) across,(2 mi) wide, and nearly(2,600 ft) deep. The surrounding walls are steep and the interior mostly barren-looking with a scattering of volcanic cones. The last eruption was in the 17th century.

Early Hawaiians applied the name Haleakalā ("house of the sun") to the general mountain. Haleakalā is also the name of a peak on the south western edge of Kaupō Gap. In Hawaiian folklore, the depression at the summit of Haleakalā was home to the grandmother of the demigod Māui. According to the legend, Māui's grandmother helped him capture the sun and force it to slow its journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day. The tallest peak of Haleakalā, at 10,023 feetis Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill).From the summit one looks down into a massive depression some(7 mi) across,(2 mi) wide, and nearly(2,600 ft) deep. The surrounding walls are steep and the interior mostly barren-looking with a scattering of volcanic cones. The last eruption was in the 17th century.

Early Hawaiians applied the name Haleakalā ("house of the sun") to the general mountain. Haleakalā is also the name of a peak on the south western edge of Kaupō Gap. In Hawaiian folklore, the depression at the summit of Haleakalā was home to the grandmother of the demigod Māui. According to the legend, Māui's grandmother helped him capture the sun and force it to slow its journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day. The tallest peak of Haleakalā, at 10,023 feetis Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill).From the summit one looks down into a massive depression some(7 mi) across,(2 mi) wide, and nearly(2,600 ft) deep. The surrounding walls are steep and the interior mostly barren-looking with a scattering of volcanic cones. The last eruption was in the 17th century.

Early Hawaiians applied the name Haleakalā ("house of the sun") to the general mountain. Haleakalā is also the name of a peak on the south western edge of Kaupō Gap. In Hawaiian folklore, the depression at the summit of Haleakalā was home to the grandmother of the demigod Māui. According to the legend, Māui's grandmother helped him capture the sun and force it to slow its journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day. The tallest peak of Haleakalā, at 10,023 feetis Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill).From the summit one looks down into a massive depression some(7 mi) across,(2 mi) wide, and nearly(2,600 ft) deep. The surrounding walls are steep and the interior mostly barren-looking with a scattering of volcanic cones. The last eruption was in the 17th century.

Early Hawaiians applied the name Haleakalā ("house of the sun") to the general mountain. Haleakalā is also the name of a peak on the south western edge of Kaupō Gap. In Hawaiian folklore, the depression at the summit of Haleakalā was home to the grandmother of the demigod Māui. According to the legend, Māui's grandmother helped him capture the sun and force it to slow its journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day. The tallest peak of Haleakalā, at 10,023 feetis Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill).From the summit one looks down into a massive depression some(7 mi) across,(2 mi) wide, and nearly(2,600 ft) deep. The surrounding walls are steep and the interior mostly barren-looking with a scattering of volcanic cones. The last eruption was in the 17th century.

Early Hawaiians applied the name Haleakalā ("house of the sun") to the general mountain. Haleakalā is also the name of a peak on the south western edge of Kaupō Gap. In Hawaiian folklore, the depression at the summit of Haleakalā was home to the grandmother of the demigod Māui. According to the legend, Māui's grandmother helped him capture the sun and force it to slow its journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day. The tallest peak of Haleakalā, at 10,023 feetis Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill).From the summit one looks down into a massive depression some(7 mi) across,(2 mi) wide, and nearly(2,600 ft) deep. The surrounding walls are steep and the interior mostly barren-looking with a scattering of volcanic cones. The last eruption was in the 17th century.

Early Hawaiians applied the name Haleakalā ("house of the sun") to the general mountain. Haleakalā is also the name of a peak on the south western edge of Kaupō Gap. In Hawaiian folklore, the depression at the summit of Haleakalā was home to the grandmother of the demigod Māui. According to the legend, Māui's grandmother helped him capture the sun and force it to slow its journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day. The tallest peak of Haleakalā, at 10,023 feetis Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill).From the summit one looks down into a massive depression some(7 mi) across,(2 mi) wide, and nearly(2,600 ft) deep. The surrounding walls are steep and the interior mostly barren-looking with a scattering of volcanic cones. The last eruption was in the 17th century.

Early Hawaiians applied the name Haleakalā ("house of the sun") to the general mountain. Haleakalā is also the name of a peak on the south western edge of Kaupō Gap. In Hawaiian folklore, the depression at the summit of Haleakalā was home to the grandmother of the demigod Māui. According to the legend, Māui's grandmother helped him capture the sun and force it to slow its journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day. The tallest peak of Haleakalā, at 10,023 feetis Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill).From the summit one looks down into a massive depression some(7 mi) across,(2 mi) wide, and nearly(2,600 ft) deep. The surrounding walls are steep and the interior mostly barren-looking with a scattering of volcanic cones. The last eruption was in the 17th century.

Early Hawaiians applied the name Haleakalā ("house of the sun") to the general mountain. Haleakalā is also the name of a peak on the south western edge of Kaupō Gap. In Hawaiian folklore, the depression at the summit of Haleakalā was home to the grandmother of the demigod Māui. According to the legend, Māui's grandmother helped him capture the sun and force it to slow its journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day. The tallest peak of Haleakalā, at 10,023 feetis Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill).From the summit one looks down into a massive depression some(7 mi) across,(2 mi) wide, and nearly(2,600 ft) deep. The surrounding walls are steep and the interior mostly barren-looking with a scattering of volcanic cones. The last eruption was in the 17th century.

Early Hawaiians applied the name Haleakalā ("house of the sun") to the general mountain. Haleakalā is also the name of a peak on the south western edge of Kaupō Gap. In Hawaiian folklore, the depression at the summit of Haleakalā was home to the grandmother of the demigod Māui. According to the legend, Māui's grandmother helped him capture the sun and force it to slow its journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day. The tallest peak of Haleakalā, at 10,023 feetis Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill).From the summit one looks down into a massive depression some(7 mi) across,(2 mi) wide, and nearly(2,600 ft) deep. The surrounding walls are steep and the interior mostly barren-looking with a scattering of volcanic cones. The last eruption was in the 17th century.

Early Hawaiians applied the name Haleakalā ("house of the sun") to the general mountain. Haleakalā is also the name of a peak on the south western edge of Kaupō Gap. In Hawaiian folklore, the depression at the summit of Haleakalā was home to the grandmother of the demigod Māui. According to the legend, Māui's grandmother helped him capture the sun and force it to slow its journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day. The tallest peak of Haleakalā, at 10,023 feetis Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill).From the summit one looks down into a massive depression some(7 mi) across,(2 mi) wide, and nearly(2,600 ft) deep. The surrounding walls are steep and the interior mostly barren-looking with a scattering of volcanic cones. The last eruption was in the 17th century.

Early Hawaiians applied the name Haleakalā ("house of the sun") to the general mountain. Haleakalā is also the name of a peak on the south western edge of Kaupō Gap. In Hawaiian folklore, the depression at the summit of Haleakalā was home to the grandmother of the demigod Māui. According to the legend, Māui's grandmother helped him capture the sun and force it to slow its journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day. The tallest peak of Haleakalā, at 10,023 feetis Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill).From the summit one looks down into a massive depression some(7 mi) across,(2 mi) wide, and nearly(2,600 ft) deep. The surrounding walls are steep and the interior mostly barren-looking with a scattering of volcanic cones. The last eruption was in the 17th century.

Early Hawaiians applied the name Haleakalā ("house of the sun") to the general mountain. Haleakalā is also the name of a peak on the south western edge of Kaupō Gap. In Hawaiian folklore, the depression at the summit of Haleakalā was home to the grandmother of the demigod Māui. According to the legend, Māui's grandmother helped him capture the sun and force it to slow its journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day. The tallest peak of Haleakalā, at 10,023 feetis Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill).From the summit one looks down into a massive depression some(7 mi) across,(2 mi) wide, and nearly(2,600 ft) deep. The surrounding walls are steep and the interior mostly barren-looking with a scattering of volcanic cones. The last eruption was in the 17th century.

Early Hawaiians applied the name Haleakalā ("house of the sun") to the general mountain. Haleakalā is also the name of a peak on the south western edge of Kaupō Gap. In Hawaiian folklore, the depression at the summit of Haleakalā was home to the grandmother of the demigod Māui. According to the legend, Māui's grandmother helped him capture the sun and force it to slow its journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day. The tallest peak of Haleakalā, at 10,023 feetis Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill).From the summit one looks down into a massive depression some(7 mi) across,(2 mi) wide, and nearly(2,600 ft) deep. The surrounding walls are steep and the interior mostly barren-looking with a scattering of volcanic cones. The last eruption was in the 17th century.

Early Hawaiians applied the name Haleakalā ("house of the sun") to the general mountain. Haleakalā is also the name of a peak on the south western edge of Kaupō Gap. In Hawaiian folklore, the depression at the summit of Haleakalā was home to the grandmother of the demigod Māui. According to the legend, Māui's grandmother helped him capture the sun and force it to slow its journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day. The tallest peak of Haleakalā, at 10,023 feetis Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill).From the summit one looks down into a massive depression some(7 mi) across,(2 mi) wide, and nearly(2,600 ft) deep. The surrounding walls are steep and the interior mostly barren-looking with a scattering of volcanic cones. The last eruption was in the 17th century.

Early Hawaiians applied the name Haleakalā ("house of the sun") to the general mountain. Haleakalā is also the name of a peak on the south western edge of Kaupō Gap. In Hawaiian folklore, the depression at the summit of Haleakalā was home to the grandmother of the demigod Māui. According to the legend, Māui's grandmother helped him capture the sun and force it to slow its journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day. The tallest peak of Haleakalā, at 10,023 feetis Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill).From the summit one looks down into a massive depression some(7 mi) across,(2 mi) wide, and nearly(2,600 ft) deep. The surrounding walls are steep and the interior mostly barren-looking with a scattering of volcanic cones. The last eruption was in the 17th century.

This is the city of Kahului from Haleakalā Volcano. At 10,000 feet the crews ship looks like a toy.