Have you ever heard of Nakalele Blowhole Maui? This is one of the most amazing sights on the island, and it’s part of a day exploring the west side. Here’s a recap of our adventure seeing this cool spot and how you can include it on your next Hawaii vacation.
Nakalele Blowhole Maui
Nakalele Point is a unique spot on the west side of Maui. It’s home to a huge blowhole. It’s a lava tube that shoots water high into the air regularly due to its windward (and windy) location and near-constant ocean swell activity. It is located on Maui’s jagged, inhospitable northwest coast. It’s a good half-hour’s drive from Kaanapali, and the last stretch of it is very much like the famous twisting Road to Hana.
Our Visit to Maui’s Blowhole
It’s a short, steep, rocky hike down to the tidal area that is home to the blowhole. The climb back up to the parking area will be challenging for people with physical limitations. But there is typically a refreshment stand in the parking area to cool you off.
There were 30-40 people there when we arrived. Many were milling about the tidal area, harmlessly taking pictures and selfies. A handful of foolhardy souls got dangerously close to the blowhole. Water shoots from the lava tube with a blast as strong as ten or twenty firehoses tied together.
It’s important to remember that people have died at the Maui blowhole, and the area surrounding the spout is far more dangerous than it may appear, even on calm days.
There are no lifeguards at Nakalele. A dangerous situation can turn deadly in the blink of an eye. There is a difference between a “rescue” and a “recovery”, the latter being the most likely outcome for anyone who gets into trouble there.
We kept a safe distance. If you go to see the Nakalele Blowhole, you should, too.
Where to Find It
Nakalele Blowhole Maui is about 8 miles north of Kapalua. Look for it between mile markers 38 and 39. There’s a big lot on the ocean side of the road, and it’s typically pretty busy. A short walk will allow you to see the blowhole from a distance, or you can take a hike down the rocky terrain to get a little closer.
Olowalu Petroglyphs
If you want to see another unique sight on Maui, head to Olowalu to see the historic site of petroglyphs.
They are estimated by scientists, cultural experts, and practitioners to be over 300 years old. It is a holy site. The markings were created long before the arrival of Captain James Cook in the Hawaiian Islands.
Our Visit to Maui’s Petroglyphs
The Petroglyphs perfectly complemented our trip to Nakalele blowhole Maui.
There were a couple of main reasons I wanted to see the petroglyphs. First, I am a proud history nerd who has spent most of his life living in Hawaii (minus 3-5 years as a touring musician on the mainland). I’m not Native Hawaiian, but I was raised to respect and honor the culture. I am grateful for the privilege of growing up here. I wanted to see the cryptic glyphs for myself.
The other reason is that the site was recently and senselessly vandalized with paint-gun pellets in a juvenile, delinquent act of cultural violence. There’s a phrase in Hawaii used to identify childish mischief: “Damn keedz!” I wanted to honor the work of the groups of volunteers who cleaned up the mess by appreciating the work of the people who created the 100-plus images centuries ago.
It’s a short, quarter-mile walk along a nondescript dirt road. We were the only people there during our visit. The petroglyphs are carved into an inaccessible cliff face. They needed special hoists and cranes to remove the disgraceful vandalization at the site.
What You’ll See
You’ll easily see some of the figures from a distance. For example, look for hula dancers, perhaps, or images of chiefs (ali’i) or representations of spiritual entities.
But if you take your time and let your eyes adjust to the sunlight and subtle differences in the color of the volcanic rock, many otherworldly images emerge: a sailing canoe with a spiral-like sail, a paddling canoe, a mysterious warrior figure.
Thankfully, this didn’t affect any of the ancient figures. It made me wonder why. My guess is that the vandals themselves knew the gravity of their offense, of the grave threat of supernatural reprisal from their ‘aumakua (ancestral spirits). Bad mana, brah. That whole place is sacred.
The petroglyphs at Olowalu may technically be a “tourist attraction”, but this is a solemn cultural site. I was grateful that we were able to experience it without a throng of tourists milling around (unlike the blowhole on Maui). It was quiet. We only heard the song of the wind and the stream that runs along the site. The importance of the site will be lost on anyone who can’t appreciate the cultural and spiritual experience places like it offer.
We agreed that there is something vaguely spooky about the site, but not in a menacing way. The peacefulness I felt there seemed a gift that comes with one condition: respect. Ignore it at your peril.
Compare it to the Maui blowhole, which is typically pretty busy, and this is a great place to really absorb the beauty and tranquility of Hawaii.
Where to Find It
Olowalu is just south of Lahaina. If you’re driving from Kaanapali or even the Maui blowhole, you’ll find it shortly after the Lahaina bypass ends, and you’re back on the winding oceanside road.
Seeing Nakalele Blowhole Maui and the Olowalu Petroglyphs
If you want to see any unique or wondrous attractions during your Hawaii vacation, remember to remain cautious and respectful. Sure, it’s ok to think these places are “cool to see,” but there is more to it than that.
So whether you stand before a giant Maui blowhole or sacred petroglyphs, be mindful of the power and beauty that lives within it.
