Hawaii To Require Advanced Reservations at Maui’s ‘Īao Valley State Monument

The State of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has announced that out-of-state travelers who hope to visit Maui’s historic ‘Īao Valley State Monument will need advanced reservations for park entry.

The new system will go into effect May 1, 2023, the date on which the park reopens after being closed for nine months while crews perform slope stabilization work. With this move, ‘Īao Valley State Monument becomes Hawaii’s fourth state park to implement advanced reservation requirements for visitor entry.

Non-residents are already required to make advanced reservations to visit Maui’s Waiʻānapanapa State Park, Kauai’s Hā‘ena State Park, O‘ahu’s Diamond Head (Lē‘ahi) State Monument, and the City and County of Honolulu’s Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve.

The system will support some of the local community’s top priorities—improved tourism management and destination stewardship—articulated by residents in the Maui Nui Destination Management Action Plan (DAMP), a three-year roadmap for redefining tourism on the island.

“We have already seen the positive impacts of the State’s reservations systems at other parks across the state, and this new system at ‘Īao Valley State Monument will be instrumental in protecting the site’s natural and cultural resources while managing visitor capacity within the area,” Hawaii Tourism Authority’s (HTA) president and CEO, John De Fries, said in a statement.

“Together with our industry partners and Global Marketing Team, we are urging visitors to plan ahead when booking their trips and become familiarized with the new process. Mahalo to DLNR for their longstanding partnership as we work together to steward and protect our wahi pana (legendary places) and improve the experience for everyone who visits.”