Volcanoes: Haleakala
1964: Maui, Hawaiian Islands; 10,023 ft
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At the conclusion of our Peace Corps training on the Big Island, we were given a week to relax before we were flown to Malaysia. Almost all of the Peace Corp Volunteers headed to the bright lights of Honolulu; six of us instead chose to hike across Haleakala crater, staying at a succession of three cabins at night, and exiting at the park's southern terminus. Colorful volcanic formations, encounters with tame nēnē geese, silversword plants, and no one else in the park: we six had definitely made the better choice.
Wild Nēnē are only found on the Hawaiian islands, and most particularly in Haleakala crater. In 1952 their numbers were reduced by animal predation to 30 birds. Today, thanks to breeding programs in captivity, there are over 800 in the wild, and another 1,000 in wildfowl collections andf zoos. It is the official state bird of Hawaii. Absolutely fearless, when we encountered them they would walk right up to us.
The Silversword Plant is only found in Haleakala on Maui ahd Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island of Hawaii. It lives up to 90 years or more. It flowers only once, sending up a flowering stalk, and dies soon afterwards, scattering its seeds to the winds.
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