Paliku service trip in Haleakala National Park 8am-4pm June 19-22

The Friends of Haleakala National Park seeks enthusiastic and fit volunteers for a very strenuous three-night backpacking service trip into Haleakala National Park’s Wilderness Areas from Friday to Monday, June 19 to 22. The entrance fee is waived, and the trip is free except for sharing some costs of evening meals in the cabin.

This backcountry backpacking trip is both strenuous and unforgettable, totaling over 21 miles across varied, rustic terrain and steep elevation changes. Volunteers spend three nights in the Paliku Patrol Cabin, located at the lush, windward edge of Haleakala Crater, where native ohia forests meet the dramatic cliffs of Paliku.

This is a rare opportunity to sleep surrounded by native ohia trees and wake to the songs of native Hawaiian forest birds, including the rare honeycreepers found in high elevation zones of Hawaii. At night, the crater offers some of the best stargazing on Earth, with clear views of the Milky Way and thousands of visible stars.

Day hikes for volunteer work may span 8+ miles, often including a rugged day trek down a portion of the Kaupo Gap Trail. Service projects may include invasive weed removal (such as bull thistle), native seed collection, trail clearing, and cabin maintenance. Safety equipment and tools are provided by Haleakala National Park.

Evenings are spent in community, sharing meals and reflecting on the day’s work. You’ll carry in your own backpacking gear, including a sleeping bag, clothing for any weather, and food for your own breakfast, lunch, and snacks. You must be in excellent physical condition and comfortable hiking long distances at elevation.

All participants must be 18+. Prior trip experience is required, and advance signup is also required. Space is limited.

To join this trip, first visit and register your readiness at the website www.fhnp.org where more information can be found about the Friends’ mission and volunteer work to preserve and protect Haleakala National Park. For more information or a reservation for this trip, or a future trip scheduled on the website, contact info@fhnp.org or beth@fhnp.org.

Date: Friday, June 19th, 2026 to Monday, June 22nd, 2026

Time: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Cost: Free park entry, cost of evening meals shared

Categories: Volunteer Opportunity, Outdoor or Beach Event, Non-Profit Community Event, Environmental Event

Haleakala National Park located at PO Box 369, Makawao, HI 96768   in Upcountry

Phone: 808-572-4400     Website: https://www.nps.gov/hale/

Office hours: 8am-4pm HST

Stretching across east Maui, Haleakala National Park is home to Haleakala Crater, an active, but not currently erupting volcano, and Maui's highest peak. Rising over 10,000 feet above sea level, Haleakala's graceful slopes can be seen from just about any point on the island. Haleakala means "House of the Sun" in Hawaiian, and legend has it that the demigod Maui lassoed the sun itself from its summit to slow the sun's journey across the skies.

Location Specifics: Crater Wilderness, Paliku

Contact: The Friends of Haleakala National Park

Email:   Website: https://www.fhnp.org