Gone are the days of a spontaneous morning stroll up one Hawaiian mountain, which now requires visitors to book ahead if they want to watch daybreak.
The authorities at Haleakala National Park in Maui have taken the extraordinary step of introducing sunrise reservations at the summit of its highest peak, in a bid to control overcrowding and prevent accidents.
Haleakala - Hawaiian for 'House of the Sun' - is renowned for its stunning vistas, particularly in the morning, when the sun rises over the ridge of a nearby volcanic crater.
However, the beauty spot has become a victim of its own success, according to the authorities, which claim its popularity is causing traffic jams, damaging vegetation and leading to an increase in accidents.
![The national park has become a victim of its own popularity. Photo / Getty Images](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/JSJCHRPZGOK4VVW3JSR44SBWDQ.jpg?auth=5754369a5a00971630c48c0e319d3d4681c0db172e79d2045fcf0f1f317ccf72&width=16&height=9&quality=70&smart=true)