Haleakalā, or the East Maui Volcano, is a massive, active shield volcano that forms more than 75% of the Hawaiian Island of Maui.

The word Haleakalā actually means “house of the sun.” Legend says that the demigod Maui caught the sun at the summit of Haleakalā and forced it to slow its journey across the sky. According to legend, this created a more comfortable life for Hawaiians.

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