A blowhole in a lava shelf at a small county park on Lāwaʻi Road, where incoming waves force water through an underwater lava tube and up into the air. HTA puts the spray at up to 20 feet. A second opening makes a hiss that Hawaiian legend attributes to a moʻo (lizard) trapped in the tube.
Why we love it
It’s a quick, free, genuinely fun stop that pairs naturally with the NTBG gardens next door, and it’s best when the surf is up.
Current conditions: Lāwaʻi Road, the only road to Spouting Horn, was torn up by Hurricane Lowell’s surge (observed Sept. 30–Oct. 3, 2026). The park isn’t on the County’s Oct. 19, 2026 closure list, but confirm road access before driving out.
What to expect
You watch from a fenced overlook a short walk from the parking lot. Most visits take 15–20 minutes, and the show is best at higher tide and bigger surf, when the spout can throw a rainbow in late-afternoon light. Local artisans often set up booths in the lot. Stay behind the guardrail. People who went out on the lava bench have been injured or killed when waves pulled them toward the blowhole. Restrooms are on site.
Know before you go
- Safety
- Stay behind the guardrail. The lava bench is deadly in surf.
- Parking
- Free lot with restrooms.
- Best time
- High tide and bigger south swells for the tallest spouts. Late afternoon is best for photos.
- Road damage
- As of early October 2026, Lāwaʻi Road between Prince Kūhiō Park and the Lāwaʻi Beach Resort area was badly damaged. Expect rough pavement or detours.
- Time needed
- Most visits take 15–20 minutes. Pair it with the NTBG gardens nearby.
Photo: Bob Linsdell via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0
