Haleakalā National Park is a place of profound cultural and ecological significance, centered on the magnificent Haleakalā volcano. Its history as a protected area began in 1916 as part of the original Hawaiʻi National Park, alongside the volcanoes of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa on the island of Hawaiʻi. The two areas, located on different islands, were split 45 years later. On July 1, 1961, the Haleakalā section was officially established as its own separate national park.

Even before its designation as a national park, the Haleakalā area held immense importance to Polynesian and Native Hawaiian cultures. The name "Haleakalā" translates to "house of the sun" and is rooted in the legend of the demigod Māui. According to the tale, Māui lassoed the sun from the mountain's summit to slow its journey across the sky, thereby lengthening the day for his people. For millennia, Native Hawaiians have considered the volcano a sacred place, or wao akua (realm of the gods), where priests (kahuna) conducted ceremonies and rituals. The remote wilderness of the park, including its volcanic crater, also served as a location for spiritual practices and celestial navigation training. The deep cultural connection between the Hawaiian people and this sacred land continues to be honored and preserved by the park today.

The geological and ecological history of Haleakalā is equally compelling. The volcano itself is a dormant shield volcano, which last erupted sometime between 1480 and 1600 AD. Its immense "crater" is not a volcanic depression but a result of prolonged erosion, formed by the meeting of two large valleys that later were partially filled by subsequent lava flows. The park's 33,265 acres protect a wide array of ecosystems, from the high-altitude, desolate volcanic summit to the lush coastal rainforests of the Kīpahulu District. This unique landscape is home to more endangered species than any other national park in the U.S., including the rare ʻāhinahina (Haleakalā silversword) plant and the Hawaiian goose (nēnē), which has been successfully reintroduced to the area. These efforts reflect the park's ongoing mission to preserve both the natural and cultural heritage of this extraordinary and ancient landscape.