Kauai’s Spouting Horn

In the Poipu area of Kauai, you will find an impressive blowhole called Spouting Horn.

What is a blowhole?

A blowhole is a remnant from an old lava flow. In an active lava flow at first the lava moves on the surface. Then the top layer that’s exposed to the air begins to harden, but the lava continues to flow beneath the top surface. In that situation, lava has created a lava tube.

A blowhole forms at the end of a lava tube at the waters’ edge. As waves crash into the shoreline, water goes into the tube. Pressure builds within the blowhole to the point that water is pushed back out.

What makes Spouting Horn impressive?

The water spouts of Spouting Horn can reach up to 50 feet high. Not only does the blowhole create an impressive display, but it also makes interesting sound effects as well.

This brief video from You Tube gives you a little introduction of what Spouting Horn is like.

The Hawaiian Legend of Spouting Horn

The Hawaiian legend of how Spouting Horn began is interesting.  Here’s how it goes per the Hawaii Visitors and Conventions Bureau:

Ancient Hawaiians believed this coastline was once guarded by a giant moo (lizard).  Everyone was afraid of the moo because it would eat anyone who tried to fish or swim in the area. One day a man named Liko entered the ocean. The moo went to attack him but Liko quickly swam under the lava shelf and escaped through a small hole to the surface. The large moo followed him and got himself stuck in the lava tube. To this day, you can hear the lizard’s groan and see his breath spraying from the hole.

How to see Spouting Horn

Access to Spouting Horn is very easy. It’s located just off Lawai Road in the Poipu area of South Kauai. To find Spouting Horn on a Google Map, click here. There is a parking lot at Spouting Horn. Be sure to bring your valuables with you.

Allow yourself at least ten minutes to visit here. You may want to stay longer as it’s always mesmerizing to watch this natural display.