Wailuku
Sacred valley with a striking 1,200-foot green needle (Iao Needle) rising from the valley floor. Site of the 1790 Battle of Kepaniwai. The valley receives 400 inches of rain annually — impossibly lush.
Reserve timed entry at gostateparks.hawaii.gov; $5/person, $10/car parking. Go in the morning — the valley clouds over by noon most days, obscuring the Needle and views entirely. Closed periodically after heavy rain (flash flood risk). Located at 54 Iao Valley Rd, Wailuku — 20 min from Kihei. Reserve the entry 30 days ahead.
Often rains — the greenery is the point. Avoid if flood warnings are issued for Wailuku.