ʻĪao Needle
A sharp green ridge.
Shusboon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Aaron Zhu — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Aaron Zhu — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Mark Fickett — CC BY 3.0 · Mark Fickett — CC BY 3.0
ʻĪao Valley is a lush, stream-cut valley in West Maui, Hawaii, about 5 km west of the town of Wailuku and about 7.6 km in a straight line west of Kahului. Its name means «cloud supreme» in Hawaiian, and it was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1972. ʻĪao Valley State Monument covers 2.5 hectares at the end of ʻĪao Valley Road. Its landmark, the ʻĪao Needle, or Kūkaʻemoku, is a vegetation-covered lava remnant rising 370 m from the valley floor and 690 m above sea level. It is really a sharp ridge that looks like a spire when seen end-on, part of the cliffs of the West Maui Mountains, an extinct volcano. Dense rainforest fills the valley, and the summit area at its head, Puʻu Kukui, receives an average of about 9.8 m of rain a year, making it one of the wettest places in Hawaii. Clouds often wrap the green peaks, a short trail climbs to a windy overlook facing the Needle, and paths follow ʻĪao Stream through the forest. Non-residents of Hawaii need an advance reservation and pay entry and parking fees. Go early in the morning, before clouds and rain build up, and bring a light rain jacket.
A sharp green ridge.
Along ʻĪao Stream.
Facing the Needle.
West Maui, Hawaii, United States
Yes, if you are not a Hawaii resident.
Early in the morning, before the clouds.