Kepaniwai Park and Heritage Gardens, located on Hwy 32 between Wailuku and Iao Needle, has landscaped gardens representing Hawaii's various cultures. Iao Stream is dammed there to provide wading and swimming pools. All standing in harmony by Iao Stream. This is a great picnic spot, as there are plenty of covered picnic pavilions with tables, benches, running water, and fire pits. You will also find adequate restroom facilities.
Kids can run among the lush, subtropical vegetation.
You can see ferns, the bamboo forest, banana trees, and other native and exotic plants in the Iao Valley Botanic Garden along the stream. The lush surroundings and towering mountains make this area fantastic for photographs. Next-door you will find Hawaii Nature Center's Interactive Arcade. Let the fun begin with measuring your mileage from home on a giant globe. Inside there are 30 activities to introduce you to Hawaii's natural history.