ʻĪao Valley State Monument
Photo Credit: Sean Newsome

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

Monitor weather reports before your park visit!

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[OʻAHU] – UPDATE 9/11/25: Kaʻena Point State Parks - Mokuleʻia Section – Kaʻena Point Vehicle Access Permits Closed for 2025.  Purple 2024 permits valid through 2025. Please create an account on Explore Outdoor Hawaiʻi at https://explore.ehawaii.gov/Web/. You will need an Explore Outdoor Hawaiʻi account to apply for a 2026 Kaʻena Vehicle Access Permit, please create an account if you haven't already. Continue to check the Kaʻena Point State Park website for 2026 permit application updates.

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[O’AHU] - UPDATE 9/10/25: Mālaekahana State Recreation Area-Kahuku Section - State Parks is issuing a Request for Qualifications/Request for Proposals for parties interested in developing campgrounds. More info: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/malaekahana-2026/

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[MOLOKA’I] - UPDATE 8/29/25: Pala’au State Park Pavilion: Due to continued renovation work, the pavilion and camping is CLOSED until further notice. 

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[OʻAHU] - 7/25/25:  Sand Island State Recreation Area – Camping will be CLOSED for construction from August 30th, 2025 – December 31, 2025.

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[KAUA’I] - 7/11/25:  VISITORS TO WAIMEA CANYON AND KŌKEʻE STATE PARKS CAUTIONED TO EXPECT DELAYS AND LIMITED PARKING.  

Beginning July 14, 2025, Waimea Canyon Lookout with be closed for construction of safety improvements through early December, 2025.  This closure, in addition to several overlapping roadwork projects by both DOT-Highways and DLNR-State Parks, will cause delays, impact traffic patterns, and restrict overall parking capacity in these two popular parks through the end of the year.  DOT work is continuing on Waimea Canyon Drive, while work on portions of Kōkeʻe Road from the Kalalau Lookout to Puʻu o Kila lookout will be starting the same week.  Visitors can drive as far as the Kalalau Lookout, where improvements will also be initiated on July 17, with limited parking available.  We urge patience and driving with care as these various improvements are ongoing.  Local visitors are encouraged to enjoy these parks and lookouts on weekends, when most work will be suspended. Waimea Canyon Lookout will be closed for the duration of the project including weekends.

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[KAUAʻI] - UPDATE 3/21/25: Pā‘ula‘ula State Historic Site - Due to construction improvements, the park closure will begin starting March 24 until further notice.

ʻĪao Valley State Monument

UPDATE: 5/1/23 – ʻIao Valley State Monument has REOPENED.
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*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.

    ‹ ›
    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

    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

     

    Documents

    ʻĪao Valley Park Improvements Slide Show

    ʻĪao Valley Flood Repairs – Slide Show

    ʻĪao Valley State Monument Community Meeting Summary – March 14, 2019