Why would anyone rise from a comfortable bed at 2am in order to drive to the top of a mountain? This is the question I keep asking myself as I drive to the summit of Haleakala from Kahului. I’ve seen many sunrises in my life, what will make this one any different, I ask myself. I’m probably not the only one contemplating the coming sunrise; I’m following a long line of cars up the mountain.

It is cold on the summit when I arrive. I park and look for a comfortable place to sit. Then I wait, shivering from the cold and the anticipation of the impending sunrise. Although there are dozens of people around me, there is an eerie silence from them, as if the sound of voices would drive the sunrise away. So, we all just sit in the cold darkness and wait for the sun to rise.

With agonizing slowness, the sky begins to lighten up ever so slightly; a bank of clouds forms in a valley below the summit.

Haleakala Summit – nighttime fades into morning

The sky lightens and colors change, ever so slightly. Clouds begin take shape and substance; looking down you feel as if you could just step out and walk on them. In the distance, the islands of Hawai’i and Lanai begin to take shape, emerging out of the darkness.

Suddenly, the sun breaks from the clouds; the sky is bathed in a brilliant light. Haleakala throws her shadow over the landscape. Sunrise has come.

Haleakala Summit - the sun breaks from the clouds below

Haleakala throws her shadow over neighboring Lanai, while lighting up nearby 'Science City'

Meanwhile, the sun climbs high in the sky

The crowd begins to break up, most descend down the mountain. I stay, there is still much to see and explore on Haleakala.

Was it worth interrupting my slumber, to make the early morning journey? The answer is to that question is in the sunrise. Haleakala lives up to her name – “House of the Sun”

For more information on Haleakala National Park see: http://www.haleakala.national-park.com