Civilian Conservation Corps Haleakala Crater Trails District: Cultural Landcape Inventory, Haleakala National Park, National Park Service

Germano, Vida; Cain, Cortney

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Haleakala Crater Trails District is located in Haleakala Crater in the center of Haleakala National Park. The trail system was designed by NPS landscape architects and constructed and/or improved by CCC enrollees between 1930 and 1941 to encourage visitor access into the crater by foot, instead of vehicle. The boundary of the proposed district includes a 20-ft. wide corridor that follows the length of the trail system. The corridor is measured ten feet from the centerline of the trails, which widens as necessary to include built features such as retaining walls and developed areas. Located at the summit of a massive 10,000-foot dormant shield volcano, Haleakala Crater is a 3,000-foot deep depression, measuring approximately 7.5 miles by 2.5 miles wide. Defined by its rich volcanic history, cinder cones and dark courses of lava rock serve as reminders of past eruptions. Today, the western half of the crater is covered by lava flows and cinder desert, while the eastern edge of the crater is lush, with remnants of a native forest still in existence. The most prominent natural feature includes a series of cinder cones, which run in a line up to the summit and down over the crest occupying central and western portions of the crater. Largely composed of designated wilderness, the crater includes a well established historic trail system and several discreet areas of development. The 26.5-mile-long historic district includes 24.7 miles of contributing historic trails and 1.8 miles of non-contributing trails, which provide visitor access to three historic developed areas in the crater. These developed areas include: Holua, located in the northwest portion of the crater at the foot of the towering, 3,000-foot Leleiwi Pali; Kapalaoa, located in the southern reaches of the crater and; Paliku, defined by lush grass and ferns, overhanging forest trees, and a verdant cover located in the eastern extent of the crater. The CCC Haleakala Crater Trails District is significant under Criterion A for its association with early park master planning as implemented by NPS and CCC labor crews, and under Criterion C for its association with park service rustic style. The period of significance begins in 1930 with the initial construction of the crater trail system and extends to 1941 when CCC work on the trails ended. Following rustic design principles, the trails and associated developed areas were designed to highlight crater views and associated volcanic features, while effortlessly blending with the natural environment. The depth of consideration put into the design is evident in trail width, gradient, alignment and use of native stone materials used in construction of buildings and structures, which contribute to the rustic-character of the district. Principal landscape characteristics of the CCC Haleakala Crater Trails District include natural systems and features, spatial organization, land use, buildings and structures, circulation, topography, and views and vistas. Collectively, these landscape characteristics and their associated features serve as an excellent example of development within the context of park master planning and rustic design of the 1930s. While small components of the district have changed as a result of the dynamic nature of the landscape, the key characteristics that historically defined the trail system and developed areas retain all seven aspects of integrity. Furthermore, the trail system and its associated features continue to be used as was originally intended—providing visitor access and accommodation to the largely undeveloped interior of Haleakala Crater. The CCC Haleakala Crater Trails District retains its historic character allowing the district to convey its significance on the local level as a planned rustic-style development. The district is in fair condition.

Civilian Conservation Corps Haleakala Crater Trails District: Cultural Landcape Inventory, Haleakala National Park, National Park Service

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