Sunrise visitors overload Maui Island peak

Thousands of tourists have traveled to a Hawaiian island to watch the sun rise above one of its tallest peaks.

Throngs of tourists gather every morning before dawn atop the summit of Haleakala dormant volcano on Maui Island to witness its sensational sunrise.

Spectators have to drive up a lengthy pathway that digs into the clouds before bundling up to see what Mark Twain described as the “sublimest spectacle”.

The recent rise in the number of visitors, however, has reportedly caused several problems, including traffic jams and safety hazards.

This has in turn led officials to place restrictions on the number of vehicles allowed before dawn and require reservations from visitors; an idea that many seem to like.

While limiting the crowd is expected to ease watching the sunrise, some are still concerned about Haleakala’s endangered wildlife whose habitats are prone to disturbance due to the large number of visits.

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