Spouting Horn, Kauai

Lawa'i Road, Po'ipu, South Kauai

This natural wonder occurs water rushes under a lava shelf and bursts through a small opening at the surface. Every wave produces another spray. Spouting Horn frequently spurts salt water 50 feet into the air. The phenomina is especially exciting at sunset when the spray becomes incandescent with the colors of the rainbow. This particular blowhole is different from others found throughout the state as another hole nearby only blows air, making a loud groaning sound. Legend states that this coast was guarded by a large mo'o (lizard) who ate everyone who tried to fish or swim here. One day, a man named Liko entered the water. When the mo'o went to attack him, he swam under the lava shelf and escaped through the hole. The mo'o became stuck and was never able to get out. The groaning is the cry of hunger and pain from the lizard still trapped under the rocks. There used to be a much larger blowhole called Kukuiula Seaplume adjacent to Spouting Horn. It shot water 200-feet into the air. However, as the salt spray damaged a nearby field of sugar cane, the hole was blasted away in the 1920's.

Directions:

Take Highway 50 from Hanapepe toward Lawa'i. Just past Mile Marker #11 turn right on Koloa Road (Highway 530). Continue to Po'ipu Road and turn right again. The road forks near the ocean, go right on Lawa'i Road. Spouting Horn is approximately one mile down the road on the left. Park and walk down to the overlook.

Useful Information:

Great views from a protected overlook

Signs warn visitors not to venture out on the lava shelf and get close to the blowhole - fatalities and injuries have resulted from such acts

Most dramatic effects are seen at high tide and at sunset