Tourist Guide to Iao Valley State Park

Iao Valley State Park is situated nearby to Wailuku. At the park, you will find a monument called Iao Needle stone pillar. The Iao Needle stone pillar reaches a height of over 2,200 foot tall. It was formed as a result of the volcanic activity in Maui. Nearby the stone pillar, you will find the Iao Stream. The Puu Kukui Crater walls surround the Iao Needle stone pillar. The valley is covered with trees and shrubs. It receives a significant amount of rain every year compare to other regions in Hawaii. The valley receives about 10,000 mm of rain every year so it is considered as the second region with the largest rainfall.

Iao Valley State Park has an important role in the history of the local people. It has an important role in the history of Hawaii because King Kamehameha I vanquished the army from Maui at the valley during the Battle of Kepaniwai in 1790. King Kamehameha I fought off the Maui army so that he can unite all the islands in Hawaii. 

Iao Valley State Park has a trail called Iao Needle Lookout Trail and Ethno botanical loop. The walking trail is completely paved so it is easy to travel on it via foot. The trail is about 0.6 miles in length. When hiking the Iao Needle Lookout Trail and Ethno botanical Loop, you can observe the scenery of Iao Needle monument. If you follow the loop trail, you will come to the ethobotanical garden. The ethno botanical garden is located across the Iao stream. The starting point of the trail is at the restroom. In the area near the restroom, you will see interpretive signs. Hikers are not required to obtain the permit from the local authority if they want to hike the Iao Needle Lookout Trail and Ethno botanical Loop.

Visitors are not allowed to bring dogs on the trail. You also cannot cycle or set up tent on the trail. To reach the Iao Valley, you should take the Highway 32. The park is located at the end of the Highway 32. The Highway 32 is also known as Iao Valley Road. If you want to visit the park, be sure to come in between 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. The Iao Valley State Park’s parking lot charges $5 per car for foreign residents. Tour groups that are traveling in commercial vehicles have to pay more for the parking fee.