The Iao Needle is located in the West Maui Mountains, just a short drive from Kahului, and rises 1200 feet from the valley floor. Towering in the sky above Iao Valley, this lush green-covered mountain peak is one of Maui's most famous sites, and it's the first picture that people take upon visiting the valley, even though most of them don't venture any closer than the parking lot. However, the base of the Needle is an excellent spot for picnicking, splashing around or hiking.

In this view, the Wailuku River is seen rushing over the boulders in the foreground.