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`Iao Valley is a famous landmark on Maui. It is a lava remnant rising 1200 feet into the air. The Iao Needle is is surrounded by cliffs of the dormant volcano Pu`u Kukui. `Iao Valley can receive more than 400 inches of rain per year and is considered to be the second wettest spot in Hawaii, after Mount Waialeale on Kauai.

The Hawaiian god Kane is considered to be the procreator and provider of life, he is associated with wai or fresh water such as clouds, rain, streams and springs. Kanaloa is the Hawaiian god of the underworld. He is represented by the phallic stone of the `Iao Needle. In the late 15th century, Iao Valley was designated as an ali`i (royalty) burial area. The remains of chiefs were buried in secret hiding places in the valley. In 1790, the valley was the site of the Battle of Kepaniwai. In this battle, Kamehameha the Great defeated King Kalanikupule and conquered the Maui army in order to unify the islands. The battle was said to be so bloody that the dead bodies blocked Iao Stream. The battle site was named Kepaniwai or damming of the waters.

We visit `Iao Valley on the Haleakala, `Iao Valley, Central Maui Tour and One Day Fly Away Tours from Oahu. All tours reserved on this site are discounted 10%. This is the best price we offer!