Iao Valley State Monument

The Iao Valley State Monument, located in West Maui, holds historical significance as the site of the 18th-century Battle of Kepaniwai. Dominating the landscape is the Kuka‘emoku, or Iao Needle, a towering rock outcropping that rises 1,200 feet (365 meters) into the sky, resembling a cathedral spire. Visitors can follow the paved 0.6-mile (1-kilometer) lookout trail, which crosses a rushing stream, to view this vegetation-covered formation. Along the way, the ethnobotanical garden showcases a variety of native plant species, offering a deeper understanding of the local flora.