Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Despite the prevalence of beaches here, there are still a few sights worth exploring, located
along the remote northwestern corner of the island, which is like a miniature Road to Hana
without the waterfalls. If you continue all the way around the back of West Maui past the
town of Kahakuloa (the road isn't four-wheel drive like your rental car map might say, but
it
is
far narrower, curvier, and scarier than the Road to Hana), you can combine the drive
with the waterfalls of Makamaka'ole Valley in Central Maui for a full-day experience. This
journey is not for the timid; most turn back toward Kapalua once they reach Kahakuloa.
MM
Nakalele Blowhole
Eight miles past the entrance to Kapalua by mile marker 38 is the famous
Nakalele
Blowhole.
Outside of Honolua Bay this is the most popular stop along this stretch of coast.
It's about a fifteen-minute drive past the entrance to Kapalua if you go straight through
without stopping. Blowholes are formed when sea caves grow upward and bore a small
opening into the surface of the rock. On the right days, the Nakalele Blowhole can jettis-
on water upward of 100 feet into the air. The best conditions for witnessing Nakalele are
when the trade winds are blowing and during the hours around the high tide. To check the
current tide tables for the highest time of day, look at
www.hawaiitides.com
.
In the full
throes of its performance, Nakalele Blowhole is a natural saltwater geyser erupting on a
windswept outcropping, and it's one of the most powerful forces of the sea you can wit-
ness on the island. This power, however, needs to be respected, as visitors have been killed
by standing too close to the blowhole.
Finding the blowhole can be a challenge for those who don't know where to look. At
mile marker 38 there is dirt pullout on the ocean-side of the highway, although the trail
from here that leads down toward the water will only take you as far as the decrepit old
lighthouse and a marginal view of the blowhole. A better access point is a half a mile
farther down the road where a second dirt pullout serves as the trailhead for the path lead-
ing to the blowhole. Between the two parking areas are dozens of dirtbike tracks which
serve as red herrings and don't lead anywhere, so the best thing to do is park by mile mark-
er 38.5 (although there isn't an actual sign) and make your way down from there. The
trail to the blowhole is just over a half mile long, and the last half of the trail becomes a
