If the Iao Needle was on your Maui itinerary, you’ll want to rethink your timing. Iao Valley State Monument is closed from April 27 through June 26, pulling one of Central Maui’s most iconic stops off the map for two months.

For travelers who had already penciled it in, the news stings. Iao has never been a casual drop-in, between reservation requirements for non-residents, limited parking, and set operating hours, visiting has always taken a bit of planning. Now that window has narrowed considerably.

If your trip falls within the closure, consider reworking your Central Maui day around nearby alternatives like the Bailey House Museum, Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens, or the Waihee Ridge Trail.