ʻĪao Valley State Monument

Photo Credit: Sean Newsome

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

⚠️ Always monitor weather reports and ocean conditions before your park visit.

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[KAUA’I] UPDATED 4/8/26

Koke’e State Park camping will be CLOSED for campground improvements. Construction to begin May 2026 and extend through Spring 2027.

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Wailua River State Park: river waters will be CLOSED to vessels beginning 4/9/26 due to potential for flash

[KAUAʻI] UPDATED 4/7/26

The Kalalau trail and Haʻena Shuttle has CLOSED until further notice due to imminent weather and saturated water levels that may cause the Hanakapiai stream to rise quickly.

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Polihale State Park and camping is CLOSED until further notice due to mud and debris removal.

Pāʻulaʻula State Historic Site: CLOSED for construction.

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[O’AHU] UPDATE 3/30/26

Kaʻena Point State Park, Mākua-Keawaʻula Section: CLOSED due to flooding and collapsed road on Farrington Highway.

Kaʻena Point State Park, Mokulēʻia Section: CLOSED due to saturated and eroded roads.

[MAU’I] UPDATE 3/30/26

Waiʻānapanapa State Park : Currently CLOSED to parking, park entry, tent camping, camper van camping and all cabin reservations, anticipated REOPEN on March 31st.

Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area: Polipoli cabins and camping areas are CLOSED until further notice.

'Iao Valley State Monument: Currently CLOSED until further notice. Parking and entry CLOSED until April 26.

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[HAWAI’I] UPDATE 3/25/26

Akaka Falls State Park: Water and comfort station CLOSED, park open with portable toilets.

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[MOLOKAʻI] 3/23/26

Palaʻau State Wayside and camping areas CLOSED for renovations until May 4.

ʻĪao Valley State Monument

*Advance reservations are required for out-of-State residents. Reservations can be made at https://gostateparks.hawaii.gov.
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**Hawai‘i residents with a valid driver’s license or State ID, continue to get into all State Parks free of charge.

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Reservations	Click Here NOTE: Entry & parking reservations required for non-residents.
PUC Reservations	Click Here NOTE: Reservations required
Hours	7:00 am to 6:00 pm daily
Entrance Fee	Reservations Required for out-of-state residents Residents = Free w/Hawaii DL or ID Non-Residents = $5 Children 3 and Under = Free
Parking Fees	Non-Commercial Vehicles Residents = No Charge w/ID or DL Non-Residents = $10 Commercial PUC vehicles: 1-7 passenger vehicles: $25 8-25 passenger vehicles: $50 26 + passenger vehicles: $90
Trail Name	ʻIao Needle Lookout Trail and Ethnobotanical Loop

Description

A paved 0.6 mile walk provides a scenic viewpoint of Kuka‘emoku (a.k.a. the ʻIao Needle), an erosional feature which abruptly rises 1200 feet from the valley floor. Learn about the plants brought by the Hawaiians who settled in ʻIao Valley by taking a short walk through a botanical garden.

This valley is rich in cultural and spiritual values and is the site of the battle of Kepaniwai where the forces of Kamehameha I conquered the Maui army in 1790.

Publicity

In 2016 Iao Valley State Monument ranked 24th in THRILLIST’s list of best 25 State Parks to visit in the nation.

“To call this West Maui Mountains park “lush” is an understatement of epic proportions. Its dense rainforest canopy makes this popular park one of America’s more unique, dominated by the Iao Needle — a 1,200ft vegetation-covered lava remnant that rises from the valley floor to a higher height than the Eiffel Tower… “ THRILLIST