Kūka’emoku – ‘Īao Needle
The traditional name for this 2,250 foot high peak is Kūka’emoku. The peak is known as the phallic stone of Kanaloa, Hawaiian god of the ocean.
During periods of warfare, the peak was used as a lookout by warriors. It was here that some of the Maui warriors retreated from the forces of Kamehameha I during the Battle of Kepaniwai.
Küka’emoku is an erosional remnant. It is at the end of a ridge comprised of a denser dike stone. The softer rock around the dike stone was eroded by streams and waterfalls.
Viewpoint of Kuka‘emoku (a.k.a. the ʻIao Needle), an erosional feature which abruptly rises 1200 feet from the valley floor.
This valley is rich in cultural and spiritual values and is the site of the battle of Kepaniwai where the forces of Kamehameha I conquered the Maui army in 1790.
The main attraction here is the ‘Iao needle (Kuka’emoku) – a 1200′ (2250′ from sea level) high peak created by erosion of the softer rock around it over many millennia. In Hawai’ian culture, it is known as the phallic stone of the god of the ocean (Kanaloa.)
Ka ‘Ikena o ‘Īao – Sites of ‘Īao
A thousand years ago, Hawaians gathered at ‘Īao Valley to celebrate and honor the bounty of Lono, god of agriculture, during the annual makahiki festival. More than a hundred years ago, visitors began coming to witness the natural beauty of this valley. Today, ‘Īao Valley is recognized as a very special place for both its spiritual value and spectacular scenery.
Nā Wai ‘Ehā – the Four Waters of Maui
The streams of the valleys of Waikapū, Wailuku, Waiehu, and Waihe’e are known
as the four waters. The fertile lands and abundant water made this area the largest irrigated agricultural system in Hawaii and a major population center of Maui.
Imagine this landscape 200 years ago. Kalo (taro) fields cover the valley floor with ‘auwai (ditches) diverting water from the streams to irrigate the lo’i kalo (planted terraces). The hale (houses) of the farmers dot the valley slopes while the hale of the fishermen line the shore of Kahului Bay.
Haleki’i and Pihanakalani Heiau on the dune along ‘Īao Stream are the religious center of this very important area.
With Western contact, the landscape of the Wailuku Plain began to change. By the late 1800s, much of the kalo was gone and the plain was covered by fields of sugar cane irrigated with water from the four streams.
Lā’au – The Plants of ‘Īao
Along this trail you will see plants brought to Hawaii by the early Polynesians. Kalo (taro) was the staple crop and fields of kalo once covered the floor of Tao Valley. The wetland variety is cultivated on level earthen terraces known as lo’i.
Water is diverted from the stream to flood the lo’ by auwai (ditches). Along the edges of the kalo fields were other crops such as kö (sugar cane), ti, olona, wauke, and mai’a (banana).
Since the arrival of the Western explorers in the late 1700s, new plants continue to be introduced to Hawaii from all over the world.
These exotics have invaded and displaced many of the native and Polynesian-introduced plants.
Taro
Colocasia esculenta
Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a tropical plant native to southern India and Southeast Asia. It is most commonly grown as a root vegetable and has a wide variety of culinary uses. Taro is considered one of the most ancient crops in history.
