‘Iao Valley State Park is a great place to get away from the busy beaches of Maui. This lush green wonderland delights the senses and its small size and accessible trails make it the perfect destination for all the family.
‘Iao Valley State Park covers 2.5 hectares of land in western Maui, along the valley of the ‘Iao River. This rich area of rainforest is a natural habitat to many exotic animal and plant species, but most visitors come here to see ‘Iao Needle – a spire formed from the molten lava that built this island which rises 370 metres into the air above the valley.
The needle stands as an outcrop of the West Maui Mountains. Once you are in the ‘Iao Valley State Park, follow the marked trail to get to the best viewing point. The 'Iao Needle Lookout Trail and Ethnobotanical Loop is an 800-metre long paved path through the jungle. Along the way, keep your eyes open for signs giving you more information about the native plants and wildlife and the geographical features you can see.
The ‘Iao River valley was also the site of a major battle in Hawaiian history, when the Maui army was defeated by the forces of King Kamehameha in his bid to unify the islands in 1790. This conflict is said to have been so bloody that the river was dammed by the bodies of fallen soldiers.
'Iao Valley State Park is open from 7 am to 7 pm every day and is situated at the end of Highway 32. Bathroom facilities are available, but make sure you bring drinking water. The trail is well marked and offers easy walking for all ages. The best time to arrive is in the morning, before the clouds gather around the peak of the 'Iao Needle.
