Family on Top of the World: Maui, Hawaii

When someone mentions the Hawaiian Islands, most people think of the shimmering blue ocean water, lush green rain forests and coral reefs filled with an array of striped fish and sea life. But many forget that the tropical paradise in the middle of the Pacific was formed by—and is made-up of—a string of volcanoes. The island of Maui was created by the volcano of Haleakala, currently listed as active volcano despite the fact that it hasn’t erupted in over 200 years. While visiting Maui on a family vacation, take your teen up to the crater for a day of outdoor exploration.

Sunrise cycling

The Haleakala Bike Company offers a sunrise tour and although it will take up a good portion of your day, it is a one-of-a-kind experience that your teen will love. Meet at their office in the Haiku Marketplace on the north side of the island at 3 a.m. where a tour guide will take you on an early-early-morning van tour of the park, dropping you off at the summit. As the sun rises, the clouds will be backlit with golden light, providing your teen with a special view of Maui that not many get to see and a memory that will never be forgotten.

After you watch the sunset, the guide will drive you down to an elevation of 6,500 feet, where you will start your biking adventure just outside the park entrance. You will travel 23 miles down the mountain on a self-guided biking tour.

The Haleakala Bike Company offers you a map with important stops to make on your way down. They also provide you with mountain bikes and helmets as well as backpacks filled with gear to protect you from the rain or wind. You will be biking down the Haleakala Highway so make sure you remind your teen to be alert and watch for cars coming either up or down the mountain. When you get about halfway down, stop by the Kula Lodge to grab lunch at their restaurant. The lodge, which overlooks the rolling hills of Maui’s upcountry, serves an array of dishes made from seafood, lamb chops, ribs and salads.

Because it is a lengthy and strenuous activity, you will probably want to have an entire day to devote to it. Make sure that your teen feels comfortable biking long distances and that the activity level won’t be too much to handle. You should also dress in layers, as the temperature changes drastically between the top and bottom of the volcano.

Into the crater

If your teen does not feel up to the early morning bike ride, you can still make a day of your trip to the crater. The drive up Highway 378 offers a view both the east and west shores of the island on clear days, revealing how small it truly is. On cloudier days, you will find yourself traveling up, up and away. You and your teen will be transported above a layer of puffy white clouds, providing you with an indescribable feeling.

When you reach the top, stop by the Visitor’s Center to pick up a map and brochures to tell you about the geological history of the volcano. Outside of the center is an overlook where you can view the center of the crater, full of swirling red and brown sand and large rocks. This is a great place to take some snapshots.

Hike the trails on your own or take a Cinder Desert Hike tour on a Tuesday or Friday morning. The tour, which starts at the Sliding Sands Trailhead, focuses on the natural and cultural history of the area. You may catch a glimpse of the endangered Nenes, or Hawaiian geese, that make their nests in the park. Be sure to bring jackets with you, as the air is usually cold near the summit and don’t forget your sunscreen. Remember that it may be harder to breathe at the summit and if your teen experiences symptoms of altitude sickness, take it easy for a while.

Starry, starry night

If you want to stay the night in the park, consider making a reservation and hiking out to a wilderness cabin. These areas as fairly remote; the closest cabin is 3.7 miles away from a main trail. These can be great places to stay for outdoor adventures if you want to spend a couple days hiking in the area.

Nighttime in the park brings extreme darkness, making it easy to spot stars and planets on clear nights. The lights from the towns are so far down the mountain that there is very little light pollution. You can rent binoculars from the park and grab a star map from the visitor center to identify what you are seeing in the night sky. This is a fun activity that you and your teen can tackle together.