Kahuluiexplore the natural beauty

Just five miles west of Kahului is the 4,000-acre Iao Valley State Park, home to one of Maui’s most visited and most photographed landmarks, the Iao Needle. Jutting 1,200 feet from the bottom of the lush valley, the Iao Needle is a vegetation-covered rock outcropping that overlooks Iao stream. A short paved trail leads visitors to the scenic viewpoint, but get an early start because the spire can be cloud covered by afternoon. From the Hawaii Nature Center, located inside the park, you can take a guided rain forest walk to learn about the native plants, the Iao Needle and the valley’s storied past. This was the location of the Battle of Kepaniwai where King Kamehameha I captured the Maui army in 1790, on his quest to unite the Hawaiian islands.