Iao Valley

The Iao Valley is a lush valley in central Maui that is the home of Kepaniwai County Park[?] and the Iao Valley State Park[?]. Because of its beauty it has become one of Hawaii's most famous spots.

Iao Valley and the surrounding mountains get a remarkable amount of rain - some peaks receive more than 400 inches (more than 1000 cm) per year - which flows into the Iao Stream.

The Iao Needle[?] is a famous Iao Valley landmark. It is a huge slab of lava stretching 1200 feet (365 m) into the air (2250 ft or 685 m when measured from sea level), covered with vegetation.

Trails in the State Park run alongside Iao Stream and through the rainforest, making it a very nice place for a short hike, if you don't mind getting rained on.

Iao Valley was the site of the Battle of Kepaniwai[?], which occurred in 1790. It was the battle in which King Kamehameha the Great conquered Maui.