Anyone hoping to obtain overnight backcountry camping and cabin permits at Haleakala National Park (HNP) will need to head to the park’s Haleakala Visitor Center (9,741 foot elevation) to get them. That’s because the park’s Headquarters Visitor Center (located a mile past the Summit entrance station at 7,000 foot elevation) will be closed until late November.
“Backcountry users are strongly encouraged to obtain their permits a day in advance,” states the news release. “Haleakala Visitor Center is 11 miles past the Summit entrance station and is open from sunrise to 3pm each day.”
The reason for the closure? Some pretty major building repairs, including roof replacement, seismic and structural repairs and entrance renovations, according to a Sept. 18 news release from the park. Park officials say the closure includes the visitor center, restrooms, car parking lot and bus parking.
“The roof had been scheduled for replacement in Summer 2015,” HNP Chief of Interpretation and Education Polly Angelakis said in a follow-up email, also sent out on Sept. 18. “The ceiling beam crack and subsequent repairs occurred in late February 2015. The doorway will be reconfigured so that wind and rain will not blow directly onto visitors or flood the visitor center. A wall will replace the existing interior doors. A new door will be built in the left interior wall of the existing foyer (where the S. Cayless mural is).”
Work on the building began on Monday, Sept. 21.
“The Headquarters Visitor Center roof, seismic, and structural work are estimated to cost $238,741,” stated the first HNP news release. “The renovation of the building’s entrance is estimated to cost $54,170. Both projects are funded by park entrance fees.”
Photo courtesy Haleakala National Park
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