Iao Needle

Iao Needle is not only an absolutely beautiful place, but it also possesses important Hawaiian and Maui historical significance. My visit here capped off my West Maui Drive around West Maui Mountain that I had begun earlier in the morning from Kaanapali.
view driving to Iao Needle

This view (above) was taken on the side of the road about a mile from the Iao Needle parking area. By the way, it's not hard to find this place. If you're coming from South Maui or West Maui, you will be driving north on Highway 30 (a.k.a. Kehalani Parkway/Honapiilani Highway) into the city of Wailuku. Wailuku is only a mile or so west of Kahului where the main airport is located.

Just take a left from Highway 30 onto Highway 320 (if you accidently went right onto Highway 32, that would take you to Kahului). From there it's a little under a two mile drive.

Iao Needle from parking lot

This photo of Iao Needle I took from the parking lot. It was cloudy (which is typical for this particular area) and was afraid I wouldn't have enough light to get a decent picture.

This is what one of the park signs reads (in part):

"Commonly called 'Iao Needle, the traditional Hawaiian name for this 2,250 foot high peak is Kukaemoku....

"During periods of warfare, the peak was used as a lookout by warriors. It was here that some of the Maui warriors retreated from the forces of Kamehameha I during the Battle of Kepaniwai.

"Kukaemoku is an erosional remnant. It is at the end of a ridge comprised of a denser dike stone. The softer rock around the dike stone was eroded by streams and waterfalls."

Iao Needle lookout

The lookout point is 133 steps up from the parking lot.

As you are going up the stairs, this is a view of the Iao Stream looking upstream (west).

There is a short loop trail that you can take down into this area if you want to get a closer look, and which circles back to the stairs.

Iao Needle, lookout view

I took this photo next to the lookout. The morning light was still muted due to the cloud cover, but Iao Needle was still beautiful and tranquil. But I was in for a warm surprise...

Iao Needle, in light

Less than two minutes later the sunlight broke through the clouds onto Iao Needle.

It was absolutely perfect! I couldn't have asked for better light.

Iao Valley, looking east from lookout

This view is looking east from the lookout. With the billowing white clouds, blue sky, and green foilage growing on virtually everything, it was breathtaking.

Iao Needle garden area

I took this photo of this small garden area on my way down. As you can see, there is a small trail that you can take to walk through it.

Iao Needle from parking lot

This was my last photo of Iao Needle taken from the parking lot. Iao Needle is definitely another must-see during your stay in Maui.

Within a few minutes the sun had hid again behind the clouds, and I was on the road again to meet up with my wife and boys on Kaanapali Beach. to participate in the next family activity.

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