South Lanai

The southern tip of Lanai is known as Palaoa Point. It is here that ancient Hawaiians built several fishing villages and many excellent archeological remains still stand. One of the reasons this site may have selected by the Hawaiians was the rich fishing grounds off shore, the freshwater stream nearby, and the tidepools.

Tidepools are excellent sources of small fish and sea creatures. Perhaps these pools once formed a fishpond used by the Hawaiians to raise fish. Today tidepools are a source of enjoyment as they make easy viewing of tiny sea life.

These tidepools lie below and to the left of the Kaunou Gulch. Extreme caution should be used to reach this area as it is rocky and steep in many places. Also, the ocean is always unpredictable - never turn your back on it.

DIRECTIONS:
Take Highway 440 west out of Lanai City toward Kaumalapau Harbor. Go past the airport turnoff and take the next left Kaupili Road, an unmarked dirt road. Travel approximately 2.5 miles to a yellow standpipe on the right. Turn right on this rocky road which descends downhill about 3 miles to Kaunolu Village. The tidepools are to the left and below the lighthouse at the end of the road.

Always exercise extreme caution and good judgement before entering a tidepool. Pools such as this one have strong currents and rocky, sharp edges.

Tidepools are subject to strong wave actions and whirpool currents can result.