Kepaniwai Park is a free public park which pays tribute to the different cultures that have influenced the island’s history. It is located down the street from Iao Valley State Monument Park.
Kepaniwai Park in Maui
The park is nestled in the verdant mountainous area of central Maui. It is open daily from 7 am – 5:30 pm.
Walking Paths at Kepaniwai Park in Maui
There are nicely paved walking paths throughout the park. It is very easy to navigate and makes for a pleasant stroll.
Japanese Gardens in Kepaniwai Park in Maui
The Japanese Garden section was my favorite. It was the most picturesque area in the park.
Bamboo Tunnel at Kepaniwai Park in Maui
The Bamboo tunnel is located at the very edge of the park behind the Japanese Garden. I love walking through bamboo forests, especially if there is a little wind to make the bamboo trunks bump into each other, creating a bit of music to accompany my peaceful walk through the grove. This small grove is just a taste of what awaits you on the Pipiwai Trail in Hana.
All in all, we were a bit disappointed. The park was not very well maintained. The bathrooms were clean and the paths were kept clear, but there were a lot of water features that were overrun with debris, and the buildings were in need of repair. We spoke with some locals who told us the park had not been properly maintained for several years due to budget cuts. There were also some teenagers hanging out, blaring their music from their car and drinking. If I had known this before, we would have skipped the park. It’s not something that I would recommend as worth your time visiting. Perhaps if funding issues are resolved, the park might be worth a stop, until then, I would pass.
Our final stop on our Maui trip was in Paia. We spent the morning shopping and the afternoon at Ho’okipa Beach, where we saw almost 200 Green Sea Turtles basking in the sand. A truly amazing experience! As always, wishing you happy travels and fantastic adventures in this thing called life.
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To see my top spots on Maui, check out the links below.
Waterfalls on the Road to Hana
How To Find the Red Sand Beach
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Japanese Garden in Kepaniwai Park, Maui
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