I'ao Valley State Park
and I'ao Needle
The sharp spire in the photo at left is known as I'ao Needle, and is the pinnacle feature (pun intended) of I'ao Valley State Park (Map 1, E-12). The park is a place of significant history, as well as awesome natural beauty. Hawaiian monarch Kamehameha the Great fought a decisive battle here in 1790, conquering Maui and paving the way for his subsequent victory over the island of Oahu, which led to the eventual creation of Hawaii's first unified kingdom.
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The park is located just up the valley from historic Wailuku town, seat of Maui County government, at the end of I'ao Valley Road.