South Lanai

Located at the southern tip of Lanai, this small bay was once the fishing grounds of the ancient Hawaiians living in Kaunolu Village. A freshwater stream runs down the gulch into the sea providing water for the village's people

Sea arches are quite common along the island coastline. They are formed when hot lava flows into the sea and is suddenly cooled making the lava more fragile. After years of battering ocean waves, the unstable lava falls away and an arch remains.

An interpretive trail and hike winds above the bay through the ancient village. Kehekili's Leap is located to the right of the bay and was the site where King Kamehameha's warriors would cliff dive to show their strength and courage.

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 intrepretive hike is on the right