Iao Valley State Monument is a must on your trip to Maui whether or not you love hiking. Just driving into the parking lot you immediately see what makes this place so special. The Iao Needle or Kuka‘emoku stands at 1,200 ft tall and serves as the historic site of site of the battle of Kepaniwai where the forces of Kamehameha conquered the Maui army in 1790.
For a little more adventure, head down to the stream and follow the path along the way to soak in more of the views. I’m not going to lie – I don’t officially know the name of this trail but it’s easy to find. After taking in the amazing view of the mountain, head down the stairs to the river and you’ll see a trail. We saw people soaking in some of the pools in the river – of course make sure it’s safe before going in any river. It’s easy to follow along stream about a third of a mile. It’s a perfect hike for bringing lunch to enjoy along the river and such a fun way to make your time at the Iao Needle last as long as you can.
*You do need reservations so make sure you plan ahead.
