Haleakala National Park - Wilderness Cabins (U.S. National Park Service)

Three wilderness cabins are maintained by the National Park Service for visitor use by advanced reservation lottery. The wilderness cabins are accessible only by trail. To reach the cabins, you must hike a minimum of 3.7 miles (5.9km) to Holua, 5.5 miles (8.9km) to Kapalaoa, and 9.3 miles (15km) to Paliku.

Each person is limited to a maximum of 3 nights per 30-day period in wilderness area campsites and cabins, with no more than 2 nights at any one site.
Maximum group size in the wilderness is 12 persons.
An adult age 18 or older must accompany each group using a cabin.
Holua, Kapalaoa, and Paliku cabins have pit toilets and water available near the cabin. The water is non-potable and must be filtered or treated before drinking.
Each cabin has a wood-burning stove with limited firewood, 2-burner propane stove, cooking utensils, dishes, and 12 padded bunks. In times of drought, cookware will be removed and you must pack in all your water.
There is no electricity in the cabins. Bring plenty of warm clothes and sleeping bags.
Requesting a Cabin: Cabins are reserved through a monthly lottery. Each cabin is rented to only one group per night. To enter the monthly lottery, your request must be received 2 months prior to the first day of the month for which you are requesting a reservation. For example, to request any date in May, your request must be received before March 1. Please send a written request specifying the date(s) and the cabin(s) in which you would like to stay. If more than one date will work for you, you can write down alternative choices and dates in case your first choice is not available. Mail your request along with your name, address, and phone number to "Haleakala National Park, PO Box 369 Makawao, HI 96768 Attention: Cabins". Only one entry per party is accepted. No phone, e-mail, or fax requests are accepted. If your request can be filled, you will be given a tentative reservation and notified by mail. To finalize your reservation, payment must be received 3 weeks prior to the reservation date.

Costs & Cancellations: NEW! As of October 1, 2004 there will be a flat fee for cabin use. This fee, $75.00 per night, will cover the entire cabin for up to 12 people. Changes to a reservation and refunds can only be made until 3 weeks before the reservation date. Occasionally last-minute cabins are available. When reserved within 3 weeks of night of stay, the fee is non-refundable and the reservation cannot be changed. Flat rate for 1-12 people is $60 if reserved less than three weeks ahead. Call between 1-3pm HST any day to find out these restricted last-minute availabilities or for more information - 808 572-4459. You will need a valid credit card to secure a reservation by phone.

Holua Cabin, the closest cabin, lies at 6,940 feet (2,115 meters) in the shrubland near Koolau Gap, 3.7 miles down the Halemauu Trail or 7.4 miles down Keoneheehee Trail. Visitors staying at Holua can enjoy day hikes into the central Wilderness Area. The landscape around Holua supports a native shrubland which colonized the lava flows. There is also a campground at Holua.

Kapalaoa Cabin, 5.5 miles down the Keoneheehee or 7.3 miles from Halemauu Trailhead, lies at the base of the cliffs on the south side of the valley. The view from Kapalaoa takes in brightly colored cinder cones, subalpine plants, and dramatic cliffs. In the spring and summer months, the endangered uau (Hawaiian dark-rumped petrel) can occasionally be heard and seen near the high cliffs. This cabin lies at 7,250 feet (2,210 meters). There is no campsite near Kapalaoa cabin.

Paliku Cabin, at 6,380 feet (1,945 meters), is at the east end of the wilderness valley at the base of a rain forest cliff. The cabin is reached via a strenuous 9.3-mile hike on Keoneheehee Trail, 10.1 miles on Halemauu Trail, or 8.6 miles up the Kaupo Trail. Clouds and fog often roll over the top of the cliffs behind Paliku. The extra moisture makes this spot exceptionally cool and lush. There is also a campground at Paliku.

Visiting the Haleakala Wilderness is a wonderful opportunity to see native Hawaiian wildlife. Nene (Hawaiian goose) are often seen near the cabins, please enjoy watching wildlife from a distance.