A true showcase of Maui’s unique natural beauty among the Hawaiian Islands, the second most popular Google-rated Maui site for visitors and residents alike, is about to reopen following nearly a year of repairs. In doing so, it will be the latest Hawaii state park to require advance reservations for non-residents only.
The Iao Valley State Monument is renowned for its scenic beauty. The lush valley is most famous for the ʻIao needle (Kukaemoku), one of the peaks which sit 1,200 feet above the valley floor below.
The site is one of significance for Native Hawaiians and was the place where Maui army warriors battled against the invading King Kamehameha in 1790 at the battle of Kepaniwai.
Today the valley near Wailuku town offers visitors hiking trails, swimming, and the ability to explore the unique Maui rainforest. The park is regularly maintained, including its walkways, picnic areas for picnic lunch, and multiple viewpoints. There is also the Iao Stream, waterfalls, and the ability to hike the iao valley lookout trail to near the needle summit, also known as Kuka`emoku, for spectacular views of the valley below.
Iao Valley State Park is without a doubt one of Maui’s best gems.
ʻIao Valley is a lush valley, cut by a stream in West Maui. It is found about 3 miles west of Wailuku. It became a National Natural Landmark in 1972 and is part of the West Maui Mountains, an extinct volcano.
The valley is covered in rainforest and its summit area receives nearly 400 inches of annual rainfall. It is Hawaii’s second wettest location, following Kauai’s Mt. Waialeale.
When the park reopens on May 1, a new reservation system will be implemented that is intended to reduce congestion and diffuse parking and crowding issues.
Four state parks now require visitors to have paid advance reservations.
Diamond Head State Monument, Oahu.
Haena State Park, Kauai.
Waianapanapa State Park, Maui.
Iao Valley State Monument, Maui.
Iao Valley will join the other three locations in requiring advance-paid reservations for visitors. Residents, on the other hand, are able to visit these without a reservation or any fees.
The biggest issue with this system reported by visitors, especially at Haena State Park, is the lack of availability of reservations. They are accepted starting at midnight 30 days in advance, and are usually sold out within minutes.
$50 Hawaii “green fee” is still in the planning.
The state is still intending to implement a “green fee” which will be based on visiting any of the state’s natural resources, such as these. Therefore, it would appear that these fees may morph over time as that green fee comes to pass and is actually implemented. You’ll recall that some of the proposals suggest a five-year moratorium prior to actually charging the green fees.
It’s worth noting that other state parks will soon be implementing similar systems, such as Makena State Park on South Maui.
The Iao valley access has been restricted or closed entirely over the last few years for repairs necessitated first by intense flash flooding in 2016 that required additional slope stabilization. The work has been an ongoing process since then.
The state is in the process of setting in place systems, vendors, and workers. DLNR said, “The reservation systems in many ways are meant to manage people and enhance the visitor experience, and the ones who benefit the most from them are locals.”
When implemented, two third of the parking at Iao Valley will be for visitors and the remaining parking will be for residents who are free to come and go at will. With over 1/2 million annual visitors, the monument has struggled to manage facilities and access.
How much are the current state park fees?
At present the fees are as they have been for the past 13 years, although that is expected to increase significantly. The cost for visitors is $10 per vehicle plus $5 per person. DLNR reports that the money is earmarked “to pay operating costs and to reinvest in the park system.”
Park hours are expected to be as before, which is 7 AM to 6 PM every day. The last vehicle entry is at 4:30 PM.
The plan is a to eliminate cars-The Bus will take a person to the access trail for 3$
i got the Diamond Head pass but couldnt for parking. i figured no problem. I can drop off family and park further out. Other than a small crowded parking lot nearby, there was nothing remotely close. unless you can get a parking pass or someone gives you are ride, dont waste your money. It was frustrating seeing tons of available parking set aside.
The increased park fees and reservation system on Kauai are justified as there are a tiny number of residents in Haena who share their one road with thousands of visitors traveling between Haena/Hanalei/Princeville/the rest of Kauai. When the floods hit in 2018, the state had to rescue locals And visitors equally with helicopters and other rescue equipment around the damaged road.
The Kauai access fees not only go to the state, but also to Kauai county AND to a native Hawaiian non-profit that stewards the park, taro fields, and community.
Like Hanauma Bay, the reservation + fee system makes sense. If people lived IN Diamond Head, more managed access would make sense.
Maybe Hana should think about a reservation+fee+toll system…
Have you tried to make reservations at Hanauma Bay? It’s impossible. I figure the tour companies grab all the spots. I want to go with my son and daughter, who are residents, and I can’t get even one slot. The website is userUNfriendly. I don’t mind the fee, but the reservation system is awful. Soon visitors will only be able to access Hawaii via commercial operators. 😢
That does seem to be the gameplay. Limit visitors to specific enclaves (all-inclusive resorts), provide tours from there by bus/van. Essentially control access and mobility. That model probably pays more into the economy than do-it-yourself visiting.
Fees help fund state parks that have always been underfunded and in dire need. The reservation system is another thing altogether. It is there to limit the number of people using specific parks that were not designed or have the capacity to hold cars and people in the current and future numbers on a daily basis. Even National Parks are turning away people at peak times.
I’m sorry but as a resident I get it. Revenge travel or not there are too many visitors here. I chuckle when commenters state they aren’t coming back but continue to follow the blog and comment. You are indeed coming back and know there is no substitute for Hawaii.
I love Hawaii thats why i follow this blog. However ive been to many wonderful places around the world and enjpy visiting new places. id love to return to Hawaii if it becomes more welcoming but Im good if i dont. Its also cheaper visiting other quite frankly nicer tropical locations.
They should sell a park pass, Like Sedona does, You can buy week pass for like $15 bucks.
Aloha! The idea of a fee is not a misguided one although I still strongly feel a tourist fee of twenty dollars per head to visit our Aina is much better. Because Tourism is the only source of revenue here, the collected money would go towards keeping all our Islands as clean as possible. Employing locals to maintain our destination sights as well as removing trash(derelict vehicles) and such. Our Governor pushes Tourism, let’s take pride in our Home.
No issues paying a reasonable fee to visit national parks or attractions, it’s the ‘reservation’ aspect that is not ideal. The ideal of a vacation is to get away from the scheduling and relax, but at the same time, try to enjoy the place you are visiting.
Having to book a reservation well in advance (Weeks? Months?) while being at the mercy of weather is added unwelcome stress.
Covid changed things everywhere -we all need to make reservations way in advance for most restaurants, as well as tours/attractions. Weather is always nearly perfect for the beach-it’s not like there’s a chance of snow or even cold rain when it comes to HI. The only way to avoid overuse of the most popular parks seems to be the reservation system. Folks reporting that slots fill within a matter of minutes proves that there are simply too many people wanting to visit them at the same time. There are plenty of other beaches/parks that don’t require reservations/fee for anyone who would rather avoid them as well as being respectful of the aina and ways to protect it from overuse.
I seriously believe it’s the tour companies that fill up the slots. Those of us visiting on our own are out of luck.
If people want cheap, there are many others places to visit. People of Hawai’i have been priced out of their homes, their lands, and work two-three jobs and a side gig just to survive and feed their kids. Many can’t afford to travel and enjoy vacations off-island. Yet they pay state taxes. Why not give a little chance to enjoy their own state’s beauty when we really should do so much more. Reservations also protect the parks from overuse and overcrowding which if allowed unchecked would turn it into a wasteland benefitting no life forms including humans. Live Aloha.
Aloha – Ask me to pay a fee to visit the parks, etc. to help maintain and preserve the beauty of the islands, and I am happy to do so. But don’t ask me to pay a fee because your cost of living is too high. It has gone up for everyone, not just those who live in Hawaii. I won’t ask you to offset my living expenses, so please don’t ask me to do the same for you. But, if you want to share a meal together, I’ll bring plenty and extra!
As a recent tourist, I am perfectly fine with this–and wish that the tourist attractions here (Chattanooga, Tennessee) would take a similar approach (although discounted resident annual passes help). If limiting admissions and increasing revenue can help better maintain and preserve Maui’s natural attractions, please continue.
Besides, there’s enough on Maui that I don’t have to see every attraction on every trip.
Just stop blaming the tourists for your high taxes. Step back and look who you voted into government offices. Once the “revenge” travel stops then what? I am all for a parks fee with a discount for residents, military and those over 65. We all need to pay our fair share the parks and beaches. My neighbor has transferred his Maui timeshare to Montego Bay Jamaica. It was just getting to expensive to go to Hawaii anymore. Said it’s half the cost to go to Jamaica for seven days than going to Maui.
A timeshare in Jamaica probably costs much less than a timeshare in Hawaii, U.S.A. where there are pesky laws governing things like fair wages and healthcare. This is why Dole Pineapple is no longer in Hawaii, it is cheaper to grow monocrop fruits in countries that do not pay their workers fair wages. Aloha.
Are military personnel stationed in Hawaii (and their guests) considered residents for entering state and national parks or are reservations required?
do you have a hawaii driver license? thatll do it.
Aloha, we have been coming to Maui for over 50 years, and have purchased two condos at Ka’anapali, yet Maui continues to be as Ohana beatiful as ever. Yes, the development is there, and yes the visitors are there, however state park taxation should not be there. Mahalo.
Who cares. Have been to all islands many times, once taking 19bfamiky members.
Will no longer be flying to them.
Too many fees or fees being planned.
Will now stay in states in the future where we will be spending our tourist $$$$$$$$
Continue to price yourself out Hawaii. You got your wish with my family as we are finding other beautiful places to visit. Bonus for us is many of them are closer to home with a much shorter time in the air!
We will fondly remember our past visits to beautiful Maui.
Couldn’t agree with you more, Rod. The main problem with Hawaii as a whole, is lack of leadership, from the Governor on down. From issues with Honolulu airport expansion and lack of facilities to destruction of the areas around the green sand beach in the south end of the big island and the officials say we lack funds to do any enforcement, its sad at the incompetence of officails. Kind of reminds me of the leadership here in California