A green, steep-walled valley just above Wailuku, home to Kukaʻemoku, the ʻĪao Needle, which rises 1,200 feet from the valley floor. The valley is where Kamehameha I’s forces defeated the Maui army in 1790 at the Battle of Kepaniwai.
Why we love it
It’s a big, misty mountain view only ten minutes from Wailuku town, with real history in every ridge.
Current conditions: As of DLNR’s Oct. 19, 2026 notice, all Maui state parks have reopened after the Hurricane Nolo closure except Polipoli; ʻĪao Valley is open.
What to expect
Nonresidents need a timed reservation before driving up; without one you’ll be turned away at the gate. The core walk is the paved 0.6-mile ʻĪao Needle Lookout Trail and Ethnobotanical Loop, with a viewpoint of Kukaʻemoku and a small garden of plants that early Hawaiians brought to the valley. Most visits take 30 to 60 minutes, and you must leave when your slot ends. Clouds often hang on the peaks by midday, so morning slots usually give the clearest look at the Needle. Rain can come in fast.
Know before you go
- Reservations
- Required for out-of-state visitors at gostateparks.hawaii.gov. Entry and parking must be paid before you arrive.
- Fees
- $5 per person entry (children 3 and under free) and $10 per non-commercial vehicle. Residents with Hawaiʻi ID enter and park free.
- Timing
- Hours are 7 a.m.–6 p.m. The last reservation is 4:30 p.m., and everyone must enter by 5 p.m.
- Refunds
- No refunds for weather, except when the park officially closes for hazards.
- Trail
- The paved 0.6-mile lookout trail and ethnobotanical loop is the main walk.
