Hawaii’s Iao Valley State Monument Reopens with One Big Change
by Daniel McCarthy
Iao Needle in Maui, Hawaii. Photo: Shutterstock.com
Hawaii’s Iao Valley State Monument in Maui is officially reopened to visitors.
The park, located in Central Maui and known not only for its natural beauty but its ties to Hawaiian history, was closed for some infrastructure improvements last summer, including slope stabilization projects and parking lot improvements.
It officially reopens today, but will now require reservations for out-of-State residents and limit visiting to time slots of just 90 minutes. Entry will cost visitors $5 and parking will cost $10 per vehicle. Reservations can be made through the Hawaii State Parks website.
The park isn’t the first Hawaii State Park to require reservations—Diamond Head on Oahu, a U.S. National Natural Monument, also requires reservations, as does Ha’ena State Park on Kauai. There is also talk of implementing reservations at other Hawaii parks, including Makena Beach State Park in Maui.
